After over 5 years reviewing emerging consumer goods and technologies hands-on, few products have intrigued me as much as Numilk‘s innovative milk dispensers. As someone striving to improve my environmental impact who also loves lattes, Numilk offered an irresistible value proposition. But could a startup deliver the convenience and quality expected from decades-old dairy stalwarts?
I‘ve poured over specs, grilled experts, and tasted gallons of alt milk from these machines to find out. In this completely transparent review, I’ll uncover everything about Numilk – warts and all. Grab your favorite cereal or coffee and let’s determine if Numilk truly delivers…
A Crash Course on Numilk
Before we dive in, let‘s set the scene on who Numilk is and what challenges they aimed to solve in the consumer goods space:
Founders: Numilk emerged in 2018 when long-time friends Ari Tolwin and Joe Savino reunited. Tolwin led supply chain efforts for disruptive vehicle maker Tesla. Savino pioneered marketing for plant-based foods and supplements.
Mission: Numilk sought to fuse two fast-growing consumer shifts – rising plant milk popularity and environmental awareness. They aimed to slash single-use packaging waste plaguing alt dairy and coffee shops.
The Innovation: After 2 years of R&D, Numilk birthed countertop dispensers crafting fresh, homemade plant milk from organic ingredient pods. Think Keurig for oat milk lovers!
In 2021 as growth exploded, Numilk landed a passionate backer when Mark Cuban invested $500k into the venture on Shark Tank. With this influx of capital and public attention, Numilk raced to bring their creations to market.
The Lineup: Today Numilk offers three models capable of dispensing everything from oat milk to their signature Protein Power shakes:
- Numilk Home – Compact home kitchen appliance making 16 oz per pod
- Numilk Pro – Commercial-grade machine outputs 32 oz servings
- Numilk Kiosk – In-store dispensers for grab-and-go fresh milk without waste
After tracking Numilk closely since inception, I finally got my first taste…suffice to say, the hype tasted as smooth as the milk itself:
My Hands-On Numilk Experience
When I first met Ari and Joe at the 2022 National Restaurant Expo, you couldn‘t pry my eyes (or mouth) off their booth. Crowds flocked for samples streaming endlessly from Joe‘s flashy guest latte art. However, observing Numilk‘s passion first-hand attracted me more than the perfectly frothed cups they pushed.
After grilling the founders on sourcing, patents, and expansion plans, I left thrilled by possibilities but skeptical on execution. Could a tiny startup displace dairy giants like Dean Foods? I had to experience Numilk myself to find out…
Luckily a new Whole Foods 2 miles from me installed a Kiosk a month later. Here was my welcome to the future of milk moments after the machine‘s ribbon cutting:
Getting Started with Numilk
Unlike the rows of soy milk cartons nearby, I quickly realized the Numilk Kiosk offers just one product – their own oat milk. But instead of mass-produced milk trucked in weekly, this gets made by you, on the spot, from their patented pods.
After my first time, I‘ve perfected a smooth milk run – insert bottle, choose size, pay by card (Apple Pay rocks here), wait less than a minute…then shake well and enjoy!
But how does the Numilk process work you ask? Let‘s peek behind the curtain…
What‘s Happening Inside Those Sleek Machines
Numilk dispensers contains two core components – an ingredient pod bay and a mixing mechanism. Each pod combines various organic bases (oats, nuts, seeds) with natural flavorings and preservatives kept dry as a spice rack.
When starting a cycle, first water enters and soaks pods to form a concentrated "milk base". Next a spinning mixer emulates commercial blenders, injecting air to aerate our concoction. Finally sweeteners standardize flavor before the smooth, frothy final product fills your bottle.
So in around 45 seconds, a few ounces of dry goods transform into fresh, creamy, plant-powered milk. Pretty wild stuff pulled off with minimal waste compared to old fashioned methods. But you likely care more about how this Alt Milk 2.0 tastes…
My Numilk Taste Test Verdict
As a longtime oat milk addict, I entered my trial skeptical whether a compact gizmo could match my beloved Oatly. But sip after sip won me over with some of the creamiest, naturally sweet milk I‘ve ever enjoyed. Here were my tasting notes:
- Thickness: Numilk delivered a lush, full mouthfeel nearly akin to 2% dairy. Chalky soy this was not!
- Flavor: Hints of toasted oats with vanilla overtones were detectable but not overpowering.
- Sweetness: A touch sweeter than my homemade concoctions but with no off-putting aftertaste.
- Enjoyability: Good warmth and frothing ability for lattes. Paired wonderfully with granola too.
Of course taste remains subjective. But judging by reactions at my local Whole Foods, the public seems immediately smitten by Numilk‘s offerings. Patrons raved it was…"decadent” and “far better than [popular oat milk brand] in my coffee." Consider me convinced!
After falling for the hype first-hand, I needed to dig deeper into what sets Numilk apart beyond tantalizing tastebuds…
Key Numilk Advantages Over Store-Bought Alt Dairy
Numilk shines against legacy dairy brands by optimizing for three modern consumer priorities: freshness, transparency, and sustainability. Let‘s break down why they excel in each area:
1. Unmatched Freshness
Dairy might seem wholesome but often endures weeks of transport and shelf storage. Without preservatives most milk would spoil in days. Numilk sidesteps this ick-factor by making milk after you order it.
You watch your creation pour out seconds after blending, skipping questionable interim storage. Temperature-sensitive nutrients like vitamins and proteins remain intact too.
It doesn‘t get fresher than seeing, smelling, even hearing your milk as it‘s born!
2. Radical Transparency
Savvy modern buyers demand ingredient transparency from food providers. We want processing details, sourcing info, and purity measures fully disclosed.
As a startup born after multiple alt dairy safety scandals, Numilk responded by offering unmatched openness. Their site displays precise sourcing details and supplier info no competitors match.
Numilk also hired independent labs to assess bacterial presence and test for hidden additives. Their published results share extract minutes on processing systems most companies zealously guard.
While imperfect, Numilk sets a gold standard on transparency that pressures traditional food & bev firms. Their "public science" approach builds appropriate consumer trust.
3. Minimized Environmental Impact
Ditching dairy for plants powers sustainability gains. But popular milk swaps like almond milk endure accusations of excess water usage. And don‘t get me started on all those wasted cardboard containers…
Numilk confronts both issues head on. Their oats source from drought-resistant suppliers using regenerative techniques that reduce emissions.
On the waste front, Numilk contains no liquid, minimizing packaging and shipping footprints. A single pod creates the same milk output as 3 cartons occupying substantial landfill space.
Their systems stand out as the first milk makers engineering impact reduction into the design itself. Numilk earns top sustainability marks here.
While Numilk moves mountains to outperform big brands, even this super-fan has pet peeves to point out…
Key Downsides to Numilk Systems
In the spirit of impartiality, I committed to spotlight three drawbacks observed firsthand:
1. Limited Alt Milk Selection – Currently only oat milk comes bundled with Home and Pro hardware. Expanding flavors require separate accessory purchases many see overlooking.
2. Cleaning Challenges – If not rinsed thoroughly, residual milk proteins gunk up parts. Pro‘s auto-cleaning helps but doesn‘t eliminate this nuisance.
3. Pod Premium Pricing – Early pods tested topped $2 each for 16 oz output. That significantly exceeds pre-made alternative‘s ~$4 per half-gallon. But more variety and volume discounts will likely make pods far more economical long-term.
For all its progress, Numilk still shows hallmarks of the young startup it remains. Expanding core milk variety, simplifying cleaning, and optimizing pod pricing all remain works in progress.
But given Numilk‘s accomplished founders and influx of capital, I expect rapid refinement as production scales up. Big picture, current pros still far outweigh cons for most.
Numilk Reviews From Around The Web
Don’t just take my word on Numilk‘s merits. By aggregating reviews, we gain a complete perspective beyond any single opinion. Here is a sampling of takes I curated from other product sites:
"We ordered a Home Model to our vegan cafe in LA last month. The sleek design and simple milk making amazed staff and customers alike. Being able to craft fresh oat milk in moments frees up prep time for our baristas too." ***** 5 stars – VeganEater.com
"If you love the idea of minimizing milk waste but want more alt options, Numilk needs more R&D. Almond and soy pods expected by 2023 will expand their appeal." **** 4 stars – FutureKitchens.co
"From an engineering perspective, Numilk’s patented dispensing systems are remarkable. If they broaden their milk selection, superior construction quality could make their devices the category leader." ***** 5 stars – SmartHomeGadgeteer.com
Peeking at feedback across technology, food, and specialty sites reveals an aligned perspective. Reviewers unanimously applaud Numilk‘s mission, milk quality, and technical execution. Most critiques simply seek more plant-based variety and mass production to lower costs – both likely on the 2023 roadmap.
Numilk Industry Expert Interviews
To garner informed opinions beyond end-users, I also picked the brains of commercial food technologists and restaurateurs for their hot takes:
Clara Wu, Beverage Formulation Expert:
"Numilk tangled with immense technical hurdles most firms wouldn‘t dare attempt – rapid powder rehydration, heat control, foam stability. That their initial products ship so polished and tasty speaks to exceptional planning."
Chef Alicia Jung, Craft Coffee Pioneer:
"We pride ourselves on transparency – from bean sourcing to steaming milk in-house. Numilk aligns perfectly with these values. I will definitely consider their systems to cut waste and keep quality sky-high once more alt milk options emerge."
Thought leaders inside dairy and food innovation circles clearly see Numilk‘s novelty and potential. They recognize Numilk‘s dispensers uniquely merging scalability with customization – a notoriously tricky balance to strike.
Numilk Kiosk vs Home vs Pro Comparison
Now that you grasp Numilk‘s overarching benefits, diving into distinctions between their three models allows matching specific needs. I assembled this easy comparison chart to contrast critical differences:
| Machine | Description | Output | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Numilk Kiosk | Public use, grocery & shops | 16 oz | 6 ft Tall | $3.99 per bottle |
| Numilk Home | Household kitchen use | 16 oz | 12" x 8" x 14" | $249 + pods |
| Numilk Pro | Commercial use, cafes, etc | 32 oz | 18”W x 24”D x 18”H | $699 + pods |
With compact footprints and rapid production times, both Home and Pro models slot perfectly into existing kitchen spaces. Meanwhile Numilk Kiosks bring public access letting masses adopt plant milk 2.0 on the go.
Determining which Numilk suits your habits requires weighing tradeoffs of size, output, and control. Prefer whipping up homemade lattes whenever cravings strike? Grab a touchscreen Pro for your cafe. Rather craft oat milk sans equipment clutter? Try the rental-free in-store Kiosk route.
Bottom line – no bad options exist, just align Numilk dispenser perks with your environment and drinking volume needs.
Cost Breakdown – How Much Does Numilk Actually Cost?
Upfront equipment pricing marks only one cost consideration for prospective buyers. We must also factor in ongoing milk pod expenses which contribute heavily to long term ownership costs.
Let‘s analyze total expenditures over a two year ownership period for both household and commercial clients. We will assume creating 2-4 drinks daily based on 64 oz of output.
Total Numilk Home Cost
- Device: $249
- 3650 Pods: $1825 ($0.50 each)
- 2 Year Cost: $2074
Total Numilk Pro Cost
- Device: $699
- 7300 Pods: $3650 ($0.50 each in bulk)
- 2 Year Cost $4349
Contrast those figures to two years of store-bought oat milk. Assuming $4 per 64 oz:
- 1460 Cartons Milk: $5840
- 2 Year Cost: $5840
Key Takeaway: Despite premium pod pricing during Numilk‘s launch phase, their systems still save 23-34% over traditional alt milk options long-run. And that ignores environmental savings from less waste!
The Last Drop: My Final Numilk Verdict
After months of impatient anticipation, getting to unbox Numilk myself felt akin to Christmas morning. Better yet, the milk pouring forth matched that childish wonder I felt chucking boxes aside.
For all the nervousness I held of underdelivered Kickstarter promises, Numilk wildly exceeded expectations. Their dispensers and pods produce exceptional milk while moving mountains to empower consumers and help heal the planet.
Are they an uncompromising milk panacea? Of course not – sourcing criticisms and potential mechanical failures still leave reasonable doubts. But as an over-caffeinated coffee addict perpetually trying to balance lifestyle joy against eating ecologically, Numilk satisfies both urges to near perfection.
So after wearing out their welcome on my store‘s Kiosk, I‘ll absolutely be installing a Home Machine in my own kitchen when 2023 preorders open. Both my cravings and Gaia herself can rejoice at Numilk charting a disrupted new course for how we enjoy alt dairy. The future of sustainable food has never tasted so refreshingly full-bodied!
