In the world of plant-based eating, we thought we had seen it all. Almond milk. Oat milk. Soy milk. Rice milk. Hemp milk. Cashew milk. You name it, someone has mushed it up, strained out the solids, and called it milk.
But the latest non-dairy darling, NotCo Milk, brings something entirely new and revolutionary to the table. Artificial freakin’ intelligence.
Yep, the masterminds at NotCo tapped into the power of machine learning to develop what is arguably the closest plant-based replica of cow‘s milk on the market today.
Intrigued? You should be. This NotCo Milk review will analyze if the futuristic formula stands up to all the hype. After obsessively investigating the brand, ingredients, taste, nutrition, buying experience and more behind Notmilk, here‘s the comprehensive low-down:
NotCo Company Background
Launching in Chile in 2015 before recently expanding into the U.S. market in 2021, NotCo is the rare unicorn merging food tech and sustainability.
The company was founded by three entrepreneurs on a mission to combat climate change and transform our food system for the better. Using the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, NotCo aims to develop tasty, affordable and sustainable alternatives to some of our most beloved animal-based foods and drinks.
Their secret weapon? An AI system nicknamed Giuseppe. This smart computer algorithm analyzes the molecular makeup of foods like milk, mayo and meat in order to identify the perfect blend of plant-based ingredients to mimic the taste, texture, scent, and even nutritional profile.
So far Giuseppe’s formulations have been spot-on if the reactions from fans are to be believed. NotCo now offers plant-based milk, mayo, burgers, ice cream and even chocolate hazelnut spread under labels like NotMilk, NotMeat, NotIceCream and more.
While NotCo’s products are currently only available in certain international markets and U.S. grocery stores, the company has caught the eye of major investors. Jeff Bezos and other big names have poured over $400 million into the company, signaling massive potential growth ahead.
For consumers, NotCo promises that its animal-free foods aren’t just good for the planet. Thanks to Giuseppe they also claim to offer best-in-class taste. But does the NotMilk live up to the not-so-humble hype? This NotCo Milk review will find out.
NotMilk Ingredients
Let’s start by looking under the hood. What exactly makes this futuristic formula taste like the real moo deal?
Here’s an overview of key ingredients found in NotCo’s two milk offerings:
NotMilk Whole Milk
- Water
- Pea protein
- Pineapple juice concentrate
- Chicory root fiber
- Coconut oil
- Cabbage juice concentrate
- Minerals (calcium phosphate, potassium citrate, salt)
- Vitamins (vitamin A palmitate, ergocalciferol/vitamin D2, cyanocobalamin/vitamin B12)
NotMilk Lowfat Milk
- Water
- Pea protein
- Pineapple juice concentrate
- Chicory root fiber
- Sunflower oil
- Minerals (tricalcium phosphate, potassium citrate, salt)
- Vitamins (vitamin A palmitate, ergocalciferol/vitamin D2, cyanocobalamin/vitamin B12)
So what do we make of this mix?
For starters, the ingredients list is impressively short and simple compared to some alt-milks out there. With the exception of the added vitamins, everything comes straight from plants. I’m personally a huge fan of that pineapple juice concentrate for a tropical twist!
When it comes to health though, NotMilk isn’t necessarily better or worse than other plant-based options. It ultimately comes down to your dietary priorities. Here’s a quick rundown:
The Good
- Vegan and dairy-free (no lactose!)
- No soy, nuts or gluten
- Non-GMO verified
- Kosher and Halal certified
The Bad
- Not organic
- Contains coconut oil (raises cholesterol levels for some)
- Added vitamins aren’t necessary for most healthy eaters
The ingredient list is free of anything too controversial, but those concerned about additives and preservatives may want to opt for a simpler, organic milk alternative. Still, if you avoid common allergens, NotMilk checks a lot of boxes.
How Does NotMilk Taste?
Here’s the million dollar question: Does Giuseppe’s genius formula really nail that signature flavor and texture of dairy milk?
From this reviewer’s taste buds, NotMilk comes impressively close thanks to its lush, creamy and ever-so-slightly coconutty flavor.
Unlike watery nut and grain milks, NotMilk has a rich thickness similar to whole milk. There’s also a natural sweetness from ingredients like pineapple juice that create a pleasant flavor, though one that’s more reminiscent of full-fat coconut milk than standard cow juice.
Don’t expect an exact flavor replica of the cow stuff, but do expect to be wowed by the smooth, milky consistency. NotMilk froths up nicely in coffee or tea and works beautifully alongside cereal too.
Is it the holy grail of non-dairy milk that will convince even your lactose loving Uncle Frank to go dairy-free? Maybe not. But it just might be the closest substitute out there thanks to the luscious texture you can really sink your teeth into.
Notmilk Nutrition Facts
So NotMilk passes the taste test, but how does it stack up nutrition-wise? Here’s a nutrition label low-down for both the Whole and Lowfat varieties:
A few key takeaways:
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Calories: Not too high or too low at 100-120 per cup
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Fat & cholesterol: The Whole Milk contains a solid dose of fat from ingredients like coconut oil and sunflower oil to mimic whole dairy milk. The Lowfat Milk cuts way back for just 5 grams of (mostly unsaturated) fats.
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Protein: A solid 8 grams of pea protein per cup beats out most other plant milks. Great news for anyone looking to boost their protein intake.
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Sugars: Around 12 grams per cup coming from natural fruit sugars in pineapple juice concentrate. Definitely on the sweeter side but not extreme.
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Vitamins & minerals: Each variety contains around 30% DV for calcium and vitamin D courtesy of added supplements. The Whole Milk also packs vitamin A.
Compared to cow’s milk, NotMilk lands around the same ballpark for protein while cutting sugar substantially thanks to no lactose. It can’t compete vitamin-wise, but the added calcium and vitamins D and A are an attempt to nutritionally mimic dairy.
So all things considered, NotMilk offers a decent nutrition profile. Just don’t expect it to be a nutritional twin of cow’s milk despite the similar taste. Vitamin fortification helps to bridge the gap, but whole food sources like greens are always best for natural nutrient density.
Where to Buy NotCo Milk
Since launching in the U.S. last year, NotCo has landed prime real estate in the refrigerated aisle of major natural grocers like Whole Foods. Beyond Whole Foods, keep an eye out for NotMilk at specialty chains such as Wegmans, Gelsons and more.
NotMilk retails between $4.99 – $5.49 for a half gallon depending on location. That lands around $1 more expensive than conventional milk but on par with other premium non-dairy varieties.
Given the unique taste and texture though, we think it’s worth the splurge to give this futuristic formula a go. Pro tip: Download the Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh app to keep an eye out for mobile coupons, discounts and even free delivery.
Can’t find NotMilk IRL yet? A few online retailers like Imperfect Foods and Vejii carry it for nationwide delivery. Stock will likely expand to more stores soon, but for now West Coast and East Coast locals have the best luck spotting it in the wild.
NotCo Milk Reviews
Enough from us. What are real-world shoppers saying about NotMilk? Here’s a sampling of customer feedback from around the web:
“I can confirm without a doubt this is the best milk alternative out there I’ve tried.” – Brad, YouTube
“It tastes very close to cow’s milk which I was amazed by! Like shockingly close.” – Sophie, Influenster
“I’m obsessed!! It’s creamy and deliciously tastes like the real deal.” – Jenn, Instagram
Rave reviews for taste prove Giuseppe has some real innovation power. There’s definitely a wow-factor from how uncannily similar NotMilk tastes to dairy.
Most reviews likewise praise the thick, creamy texture that mimics whole milk. Almond or oat milk this is not! When it comes to fooling taste buds, NotMilk is perhaps the closest we’ve found to simulated cow juice.
That said, a few reviewers note the underlying flavor still doesn’t 100% nail that exact dairy taste. Some compare it more closely to coconut or almond milk, while others simply say it has a sweetness all its own.
So most agree NotMilk doesn’t exactly mimic dairy milk once that first impression wears off. But that seems just fine for most plant-curious consumers who give it top marks for taste, texture and versatility overall.
NotCo Milk vs. Goodmylk
Not all AI-formulated milks are created equal though. Up-and-comer Goodmylk offers its own take on tech-powered alt dairy using a similar approach to NotCo.
So how do these two stack up? Let’s look at a few key differences:
Ingredients: Goodmylk uses just four ingredients – water, sunflower oil, pea protein and akavia extract (a natural flavor source). Advantage: Goodmylk.
Taste: Both opt for relatively neutral flavors to mimic plain dairy milk. But NotMilk seems to edge out in richness and creaminess. Slight advantage: NotMilk.
Where to Buy: Goodmylk only sells direct-to-consumer currently while NotMilk taps into national grocery chains. Advantage: NotMilk.
Price: Goodmylk comes out cheaper at less than $4 per liter bag that makes 3-4 gallons. NotMilk retails for $5 per half gallon container. Advantage: Goodmylk.
The key distinction seems to come down to convenience vs. value. NotMilk wins on widespread retail availability and standout creaminess. Goodmylk takes the medal for simpler ingredients, lower cost and direct home delivery.
Both make a solid play at imitating cow’s milk through the magic of food tech. But based on taste reviews, NotMilk may have the slight edge thanks to those lush, velvety notes from ingredients like coconut and pineapple. Then again, simplicity goes a long way too. Overall, we wouldn’t kick either out of our cereal bowl!
Is NotCo Milk Worth It?
After tasting it ourselves and sleuthing all the reviews, is NotCo’s much-hyped NotMilk worth straying from our alt milk staples? We think so.
There’s no denying this formula is impressively smooth, creamy and whole milk-esque thanks to NotCo’s patented AI-formulation. Factor in the relatively short ingredients list and NotMilk shapes up as a nutritious milk alternative that seems truly unique.
Sure, it doesn’t mimic dairy milk perfectly. But that touch of natural sweetness and lightly coconutty flavor profile manage to feel familiar yet new all at once.
For the lactose-intolerant or eco-conscious just dipping their toes in the dairy-free scene, NotMilk could be a real game changer. We can see why it’s inspiring people to make the switch one tasty sip at a time.
At $5 a carton, this futuristic formula admittedly comes at a premium price. But we think plant-based devotees and newbs alike will find it worth the occasional splurge for baked goods, smoothies or even solo sipping. Not bad for a computer-generated concept, eh Giuseppe?
NotCo Milk Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars
The Last Sip on NotMilk
Well there’s certainly something special brewing over at NotCo food labs down in Chile. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, they’ve created what is hands-down one of the milkiest and most convincingly creamy alt options out there.
While it may not fully replicate everything about good ‘ole fashioned dairy, NotMilk comes impressively – almost eerily – close enough to have anyone doing a double take between it and their usual milk jug.
So if you’re looking for an alt milk that feels uniquely substantial with an almost silky thickness, NotMilk is certainly worth shaking up your rotation. Between the pleasant taste and smooth sippability, we have a feeling Giuseppe has cooked up a next-gen formula poised to disrupt dairy aisles for good.
