Califia Farms has announced a new oat milk line to strengthen its presence in the US craft beverage market.

The new Oat Barista Blend and Unsweetened Oatmilk products will become available from February and April respectively, joining Califia Farms’ Original and Unsweetened Almondmilk blends.

The launch is expected to strengthen the brand’s coffee shop partnerships.

Oat Barista Blends is claimed to be made with North American wholegrain, gluten-free oats that do not split when steamed. It is unsweetened and does not contain gums or stabilisers.

Califia Farms founder and CEO Greg Steltenpohl  said: “In many ways, the global barista community leads cultural changes in coffee and milk consumption, and were early adopters to almond milk and now oat milk.

“Offering a new oat milk Barista Blend was a clear next step to help cafés reliably meet their customers’ demand and quality expectations.”

“Since our first production of almond milk in 2012 and carrying this success with many coconut-based offerings, Califia has been a leader in innovation by bringing diversified plant-based products to market. We’ve been a dependable partner to the speciality coffee trade for some time now, and offering a new oat milk Barista Blend was a clear next step to help cafés reliably meet their customers’ demand and quality expectations.”

Demand for plant-based diets are on the rise due to personal and environmental health concerns and the alternative milk category has witnessed a 52% growth since 2013.

While almond milk is leading this category with further projected growth, sales of other non-dairy milk have also risen.

A preview of Califia Farms’ new Oat Barista Blend will become available for sampling at the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco, which will be held from 13-15 January.

Unsweetened Oatmilk is intended for at-home consumption and is available for purchase in speciality and grocery retailers.

This new oat milk will be bottled in Califia Farms’ signature 48oz curvy carafe.

It is crafted from North American whole grain gluten free oats and is free from gums and stabilisers. It is claimed to have 50% more calcium than milk.