An undergraduate student at Nottingham Trent University, UK, has developed a device that can help people create their own oat milk at home for just 20 pence per litre. Deeya Halai, a 22-year-old who became vegan during the pandemic lockdown, named the device “Oatilicious,” and she claims it provides significant cost savings compared to store-bought oat milk for up to £2.20 per carton.
The new design streamlines the oat milk production process by doing the blending, filtering, storing, and pouring in a user-friendly container. Oats and water are the only ingredients required.
Using this system is more sustainable by reducing the number of discarded cartons but also it offers an affordable alternative to expensive store-bought options, especially at the time of high inflation and price rises.
Halai told BBC News, “Everything is becoming so much more expensive due to the cost of living crisis…The traditional way to make oat milk uses a cloth that you have to squeeze out into a different container and it’s all quite messy. You have to use another container to keep it in too… But my design allows people to do away with that lengthy process and makes it quick, convenient and simple… After using it 15 times, you’ve made your money back and then you’re just making savings… It’s also much more hygienic and simpler to clean than with multiple beakers. It feels like quite an achievement to see it all come together; there’s been so many developments, sketches, and models.”
Deeya’s invention was displayed at the Nottingham Trent University Student Showcase for a few days. Halai is from Lostock in Bolton, and she shares recipes for cheap and easy vegan meals with her cousin Tiya via their Instagram account @_plantilicious__
