Sesame milk is a unique one, and is a great example of the many types of milk out there. Being plant-based, it’s a great dairy-alternative that boasts a delicious flavor and some awesome nutritional characteristics!
Buttermilk is a much more popular milk, being used in a ton of recipes – the tangy punch you get out of it is unmatched! However, is it possible that you should substitute one of these milks for the other?
The answer to that question lies in this article, where we’ll explore and compare these two wonderful milks in detail. You’ll learn about their best uses, their nutritional profiles, dietary restrictions, and more!
Let’s jump in and see which one is better!
Comparing sesame milk vs buttermilk
Sesame milk, as we mentioned, is plant-based. It has sesame as an allergen, while buttermilk is animal-based and has milk as an allergen.
In terms of dietary compatibility, these two are on complete opposite ends. Sesame milk is a great choice for vegan, paleo, and keto diets, whereas buttermilk isn’t suitable for any of those.
| Sesame milk | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) | |
| Type | Plant-based (seeds) | Animal-based |
| Allergens | Sesame | Milk |
| Vegan? | Yes | No |
| Paleo? | Yes | No |
| Keto? | Yes | No |
Differences between sesame milk and buttermilk
The main differences between sesame milk and buttermilk are their flavors and textures, as well as what they come from with sesame milk being plant-based and buttermilk being animal-based.
Sesame milk has a nutty flavor with earthy undertones, and boasts a thin and smooth texture. It’s quite easy to make it at home, and you can experiment with the different types of sesame seeds to create different flavors – black sesame seeds produce a richer and more intense flavor than white sesame seeds, so keep that in mind!
Buttermilk is made by adding a probiotic culture to pasteurized or homogenized milk, giving us a thick and creamy milk that boasts a tangy and slightly sour flavor. It also does a really good job in moistening bakes, which is one of the big reasons it’s used!
How to use sesame milk vs buttermilk
Your sesame milk and buttermilk have many great uses:
Sesame milk:
- Bake delicious nutty dishes with it.
- Drink it on its own.
- Pour it over your cereal and granola.
- Mix it into your smoothies and oatmeal.
- Add it to your coffee or tea as a creamer.
- Use it as a dairy-alternative.
Buttermilk:
- Tenderize meat.
- Add moisture to things like pancakes, cookies, and moist cakes.
- Use as a base for dressings and dips.
- Use as marinades and brines.
- Make the many recipes that call for it.
- Drink on its own or use it like kefir.
Can you substitute sesame milk for buttermilk?
The answer is usually no, as they’re so different in taste and texture. Using sesame milk in place of buttermilk in recipes that specifically call for buttermilk will likely impact the dish in ways you don’t want, and vice versa.
That being said, you can and should absolutely try substituting these out for one another in things like smoothies, pancakes, waffles – simple things that don’t specifically require one over the other. You’ll create really big and unique flavor twists doing that, and maybe find something you really like!
Nutrition: Sesame milk vs buttermilk
You’ll find buttermilk to be higher in calories than sesame milk, but with about half the fat. Buttermilk does have way more carbs than sesame milk, with 15 grams per serving versus 2 grams.
Something awesome about sesame milk is that it has no sugar in it, and it’s also got a great protein content similar to buttermilk! However, buttermilk is a fair bit higher in sugar, and slightly lower in both calcium and vitamin D contents.
Buttermilk has probiotics in it, which are great for overall health!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Sesame milk | Buttermilk (lowfat/1%) |
| Calories | 90 | 120 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 5 g (0.5 g) | 2.5 g (2 g) |
| Total carbs | 2 g | 15 g |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | 11 g (0 g) |
| Protein | 8 g | 10 g |
| Calcium | 30% DV | 25% DV |
| Vit D | 25% DV | 10% DV |
How to store sesame milk and buttermilk
Sesame milk generally has a really good shelf-life, lasting for up to a couple of months in your pantry! Try to finish it within 10 days after opening as well as keeping it in your fridge then – homemade sesame milk should always be kept in the fridge, and preferably be finished within 3 days for the most freshness.
Buttermilk should be stored in the fridge right off the bat, and try to finish it within 5-6 days for the best results. That said, some brands will say it’ll last up to 14 days – give it a quick taste or sniff to see if it’s still good when keeping it for that long…better be safe than sorry!
Sesame milk vs buttermilk: Which is better?
These two are wildly different in many ways, so which one should you pick?
I recommend picking sesame milk for more everyday-type-of-uses such as drinking on its own, making smoothies, using it as a creamer in your coffee, etc. Buttermilk is more geared towards baking, tenderizing meat, and making dips with, so use the one that fits your taste preferences and needs!
Overall, the winner will be sesame milk for its greater versatility, better dietary compatibility, and slightly better nutritional profile.
FAQs
That’ll come down to what you’re wanting to do with them – buttermilk is generally more suited towards baking, and I recommend getting it for recipes that call for it. That said, sesame milk is also a great and tasty choice for other things!
Sesame seeds are often considered a superfood because they have a lot of healthy fats, calcium, iron, magnesium, and protein! They also have a solid amount of antioxidants and fiber – but, like anything, consume them in moderation!
Many different types of milk like raw cow milk, sesame milk, buttermilk, and almond milk have unique pros and cons, so I recommend doing some research to find out which milk fits your needs best! Or, consult a healthcare professional.
Buttermilk is fermented and tangy, with a slightly sour taste and a thicker texture. It also has less fat and slightly more protein.
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