Homemade oat milk vs Oatly, Alpro, Bjorg: the honest comparison
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Homemade Oat Milk vs. Oatly, Alpro, Bjorg: An Honest Comparison
Oatly, Alpro, Bjorg—three brands that dominate the plant-based milk aisles in France. But are they really better than homemade oat milk? We've scrutinized labels, compared prices down to the last cent, and analyzed the environmental impact of each option. The results are conclusive.
Table of Contents
1. The Verdict at a Glance
2. Price Comparison
3. The Battle of Ingredients
4. Nutritional Values
5. The Taste: Who Wins?
6. Environmental Impact
7. Brand by Brand Analysis
8. Frequently Asked Questions
1. The Verdict at a Glance
2. Price Comparison: The Painful Difference
| Brand | Average Price / liter | Price / month (1L/day) | Price / year | Homemade Luxibre Milk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oatly Barista | 2,80€ | 84€ | 1,022€ | 0,30€/L 9€/month 109€/year |
| Oatly Original | 2,50€ | 75€ | 912€ | |
| Alpro Oat | 2,20€ | 66€ | 803€ | |
| Bjorg Organic | 2,60€ | 78€ | 949€ |
Complete your kit with our Luxibre Compatible 1L Storage Carton—ideal for keeping your fresh milk for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
For a household that consumes 1 liter of oat milk per day, switching to homemade milk represents savings of 700 to 900€ per year depending on the brand replaced. The Luxibre machine pays for itself in just a few weeks.
3. The Battle of Ingredients: What the Labels Hide
This is where the comparison gets really interesting. Here's what each product actually contains:
What you don't see on the Oatly label: the added rapeseed oil represents about 1.5% of the product. It's there to give a creamy texture and make the milk foam—not for your health. Homemade oat milk is naturally creamy without any added oil.
4. Nutritional Values: What Really Nourishes?
| Per 100 ml | Oatly Original | Alpro Oat | Bjorg Organic | Homemade Luxibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 47 kcal | 45 kcal | 48 kcal | ~45 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 6.7 g | 6.5 g | 7.2 g | ~6.0 g |
| of which sugars | 4.0 g | 3.8 g | 4.8 g ⚠️ | ~1.5 g |
| Fats | 1.5 g (oil) | 1.2 g (oil) | 1.3 g (oil) | ~0.5 g (natural) |
| Proteins | 1.0 g | 0.9 g | 0.9 g | ~1.0 g |
| Fibers | 0.8 g | 0.7 g | 0.8 g | ~0.8 g |
| Additives | Oil, salt, vitamins | Oil, salt, flavors | Oil, syrup, salt | None ✓ |
Homemade oat milk contains 3 times less sugar than Bjorg and significantly less fat than the three brands—because it contains no added oil. The nutritional values are comparable on other points.
5. The Taste: Who Really Wins?
It's subjective—but our customers' feedback is unanimous. Here's what stands out:
🥛 Oatly — The Most Popular, But Not the Best
Oatly has a mild, slightly sweet taste that appeals to the general public. The Barista version foams very well. But many consumers describe a slight oily aftertaste once they've tasted homemade milk. The texture is artificial—achieved with rapeseed oil, not oats.
🥛 Alpro — Decent but Lacking Character
Alpro is the most neutral of the three. Subtle oat taste, light texture. Suitable for cooking but lacks personality to be drunk alone or in coffee.
🥛 Bjorg — Organic but Too Sweet
Bjorg uses rice syrup to sweeten its milk, giving it a sweeter taste than the others. Some appreciate it, others find it too dominant. The organic label is reassuring, but the ingredient list remains long.
🏆 Homemade Milk — The Freshest, the Purest
Homemade oat milk has an authentic oat taste, more pronounced and fresher than cartons. No oily aftertaste, no added sugar. And most importantly: you control everything. Want a milder milk? Use less oats. More creamy? Add a cashew nut. This is impossible with an industrial carton.
6. Environmental Impact: The Shock of the Figures
| Impact (per liter) | Oatly | Alpro | Bjorg | Homemade Luxibre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging | Tetra Pak | Tetra Pak | Tetra Pak | Reusable carton ✓ |
| Transportation | International | International | International | Zero (homemade) |
| Processing | Industrial factory | Industrial factory | Industrial factory | Your kitchen ✓ |
| Packaging/year | ~365 cartons | ~365 cartons | ~365 cartons | 0 ✓ |
Even Bjorg, despite its organic label, generates 365 Tetra Pak packages per year for a household consuming 1L/day. Homemade milk with the reusable Luxibre storage carton: zero disposable packaging.
7. Brand by Brand Analysis
Oatly: The King of Marketing, Not Composition
Oatly has achieved a remarkable marketing feat: convincing millions of consumers that a product costing 2.50€/L containing rapeseed oil and salt is a healthy alternative to cow's milk. The brand invests heavily in communication—what you pay for is mostly advertising, not oats. Oats represent only 10% of the product. The rest is water, oil, and additives.
Alpro: The Generalist Without Conviction
Alpro (owned by Danone) offers a very wide range of plant-based milks. Their oat milk is decent but unremarkable. The brand relies on availability and a slightly lower price than Oatly. Same problem: sunflower oil, natural flavors, synthetic vitamins.
Bjorg: The Organic That Disappoints on the Label
Bjorg attracts health-conscious consumers with its organic label. But the added rice syrup increases the sugar content above other brands. And the price remains high. Organic doesn't mean "additive-free" or "sugar-free."
Stop paying 8 times too much for water and oil
Make your own oat milk in 2 minutes · Zero additives · 0.30€/L · 30-day money-back guarantee
Discover the Luxibre machine →8. Frequently Asked Questions
✅ Key Takeaways
- 💰 Homemade milk costs 0.30€/L vs. 2.20€ to 2.80€ for brands—that's 700 to 900€ in annual savings
- 🔍 Oatly, Alpro and Bjorg all contain added oil, salt and additives — homemade milk: zero
- 🌾 Oats represent only 9 to 10% of commercial cartons — the rest is water, oil and additives
- ♻️ 365 Tetra Pak packages avoided per year with the reusable Luxibre carton
- ⏱️ 2 minutes of preparation with the Luxibre machine — as fast as opening a carton
Want to go further? Discover our Luxibre Complete Collection — 20 plant-based milk recipes + free nutritional guide.