Oat drinks are found in coffee shops, supermarkets and kitchens, but how is oat milk actually produced? This is a question we often get asked.
Our process is simple at Glebe Farm Foods. From the oats we grow to the carton you pour from. Here’s how we make our PureOaty oat drinks.
It all starts with the oats
Everything begins in the field. We harvest our gluten free oats when they’re at their best – fully ripe and ready to be used. This usually happens around the end of July/beginning of August. Getting this part right matters, because good oat drinks start with good oats.
Checking, then checking again
Before anything else happens, we test every batch of oats. We’re looking for signs of wheat contamination, moisture levels that are too high, or grains that simply aren’t good enough.
The oats then go through our grain lab, where they’re checked again for traces of rye, wheat and barley. It might sound excessive, but this extra care is what allows us to make oat drinks that people with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance can trust.
Cleaning and preparing the grain
Once approved, the oats are cleaned to remove dust and natural field debris. We then remove the outer husk, leaving behind the oat groat – the part we actually use to make our PureOaty oat drinks.
The groats are gently steamed and rolled into flakes. This step helps soften them and makes them easier to work with in the next stage.
Turning oats into oat drink
The flakes are soaked in hot water and milled into a smooth mixture. At this point, it starts to look much more like porridge.
During the conversion stage, the oats’ natural sugars and proteins are released, giving PureOaty its mild, balanced flavour without needing additional sugar.
The liquid is then separated from the remaining oat solids, leaving us with a smooth oat drink base.
Finishing touches
We add a small amount of oil and a pinch of salt to get the taste and texture right. For our Creamy & Enriched variety, we fortify it with folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin B2, vitamin D, and calcium. The mixture is heated to 140°C, then cooled and packed into cartons, ready to leave the farm.
Our gluten free guarantee
Before any PureOaty oat drink leaves us, every batch is tested by an independent lab. Gluten levels must be below 5ppm, well under the legal gluten free limit of 20ppm. It’s the final check and one we never skip.
There you have it, a careful process built around simple ingredients, thorough testing, and oats we grow ourselves. Just honest oat drinks, made properly!
You can shop our full range of PureOaty oat drinks here.
