Great big soymilk post

It's lecture recess, so I have no tutoring this week. I should still be working on my paper, but first, which Australian soy milks are worth trying? (I think I have my priorities straight, no?) All of these are the long-life kinds, because the fresh stuff is too dear and it doesn't taste any different in my opinion.



I'll start with our favourites. You'll Love Coles brand 'soy drink'. Regular price is $1.50/litre, and on special every few weeks for $1.30. Creamy, beany, and delicious. Coles Lite is the only low-fat soy milk I have *ever* liked. It tastes just about as good as the full-fat. The cartons are a bit annoying, and sometimes leak. The blonde lady on the full-fat soymilk looks like my high school friend, Bria. In terms of flavour, texture, and price, You'll Love Coles is hands down, the best soy milk you can find in Australia.

Australia's Own. Normally around $4 a litre, reduced to clear for $1. The flavour is good and beany, the texture is creamy (sometimes lumpy), but it's not quite as good as Coles. Neither Andy nor I can pinpoint exactly why, but Andy reckons "Even if the price is the same, I would go with Coles".

Smooth White used to be Andy's favourite, back when he first started drinking soy milk. It tastes the least beany of any soy milk I've tried. For people who like the taste of cow milk, Smooth White is probably the best buy. Normally around $2/litre.

Vitasoy Soy Milky. This soy milk is the best in terms of packaging. The lid is twist-off, instead of the little foil thing and plastic latch that most of the rest have. The soymilk itself is mediocre. It leaves a funny aftertaste. It's almost... too sweet. Screws up tea, because the aftertaste overwhelms you. Okay on cereal. Around $2.20/litre.

Vitasoy Lush Chocolate. So. Damn. Good. Chocolatey and rich, but less fat than plain soy milk. We got this one, reduced to clear, for $1.50. Normally more than $2/litre. If you have a chocolate craving, this soy milk is a good way to feed it. Yum, yum, yum.

Woolworth's Home Brand Soy Drink. $1.50/litre. In terms of packaging, this soy milk is a big fat loser. I know the white/black/red is Home Brand's 'thing', but seriously, it looks disgusting. And to open it, you have to stab it with the back-end of a spoon. Once it's opened, it gurgles when you pour, so it splashes all over. The milk itself is sort of sweet, with an almost honey-like taste, but it's not great for tea. Good on cereal, but especially for oatmeal or pancakes. Despite the annoying packaging, we usually have some of this on hand because it's so cheap.

And, finally (so Vegetation and the other soy-frees don't feel left out!), PureHarvest Rice Milk. I love rice milk, because it's thin and sweet and great for drinking plain. But it's usually much dearer than soy milk, so we only buy it on special. I think this was marked down to $1.80/litre. Andy hates rice milk, for the same reasons that I love it. Not good for tea, as it makes it look watery.

I know there are heaps of other brands, but we only buy soy milk that is cheap, so these are the ones I've tried! What's your favourite soy milk? Do you prefer a beany taste, a creamy texture, a bit of sweetness?