Charlotte NC, August 5, 2025
News Summary
Wildroots Coffee in Charlotte has introduced MILKish, a new plant-based milk made from watermelon seeds, becoming the first café in the U.S. to offer this innovative product. With no seed oils and a clean ingredient list, MILKish complements coffee without overwhelming flavors. The low-calorie milk is environmentally friendly, requiring significantly less water than almond milk, appealing to health-conscious consumers. Wildroots Coffee also features creative specialty lattes, indicating a commitment to unique beverage offerings.
CHARLOTTE – Wildroots Coffee has made a significant addition to its beverage lineup by introducing a revolutionary plant-based milk called MILKish, derived from watermelon seeds. This innovative alternative to traditional dairy and plant-based milks marks the first time a café in the United States has offered this new product, which became available starting April 2025.
Wildroots Coffee’s owner, Jasmine Koch, is optimistic about the potential impact of MILKish on the plant-based milk market. After thorough research, she sought a milk alternative that not only complements coffee well but also has a clean ingredient list. Many oat milks, for example, contain additives like canola oil, prompting some consumers to revert to whole milk. Meanwhile, almond milk can dominate the flavor profile of beverages, overshadowing the intended taste.
Koch believes watermelon seed milk presents a cleaner choice. Unlike many existing options, MILKish has no seed oils and a short ingredient list, appealing to health-conscious consumers. The discovery of MILKish came from TikTok, leading Koch to contact the product’s creator, Guilherme Maia Silva, who launched the milk in San Francisco in September 2024. After tasting MILKish, she was convinced of its potential and placed an order immediately.
Consumers can rejoice in the fact that MILKish does not taste like watermelon, allowing it to interact harmoniously with coffee and other beverages. It has a low caloric value of just 50 calories per 8-ounce serving, with zero carbohydrates, abundant antioxidants, and no carrageenan or artificial ingredients. Initial responses from customers have reported flavors reminiscent of ice cream or cotton candy, despite having no sugar content. Unlike oat milk, which can overshadow espresso, watermelon seed milk accentuates coffee’s inherent flavors. Its texture is akin to almond milk but its taste leans closer to that of whole or oat milk.
The benefits of watermelon seed milk extend to its environmental impact as well. Producing watermelon seeds requires 99% less water than the cultivation of almonds, and it also uses less water compared to soy and oats, making it a far more sustainable option for the planet.
In addition to MILKish, Wildroots Coffee is dedicated to creativity, offering specialty lattes such as the Blueberry Pancake Latte that combines espresso or matcha with blueberry-maple syrup and cinnamon. Feedback for this drink has been overwhelmingly positive, further enhancing the café’s reputation for unique offerings.
As for pricing, MILKish is competitively positioned alongside other non-dairy milk options and is currently purchased in bulk since a local distributor is not yet available in Charlotte. The coffee shop also provides MILKish for retail sale by the quart, catering to consumers wishing to enjoy this new alternative at home. Koch anticipates a growing trend in the availability of MILKish at more cafés and grocery stores in the near future.
While some oat milk drinkers may find transitioning to MILKish challenging due to their affinity for creamier textures, Koch is committed to offering varied plant-based milk options that encourage customers to explore new flavors.
Background on Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
Over the last 15 years, plant-based milks have surged in popularity, particularly among coffee shops and smoothie chains across the U.S. Statistics from major coffee chains like Starbucks indicate that non-dairy milk substitution stands as the second-most requested customization after espresso shots. The trend reflects a wider acceptance and demand for alternatives to dairy, driven by health and sustainability concerns, creating ample opportunity for innovations such as MILKish.
Key Features of MILKish
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Ingredient | Watermelon Seeds |
| Taste | Neutral, does not taste like watermelon |
| Caloric Content | 50 calories per 8-ounce serving |
| Carbohydrates | Zero carbohydrates |
| Antioxidants | Rich in antioxidants |
| Additives | No carrageenan or artificial flavors/colors |
| Environmental Impact | Requires 99% less water than almonds |
FAQ Section
What is MILKish?
MILKish is a new plant-based milk made from watermelon seeds, launched by Wildroots Coffee.
What makes MILKish different from other plant-based milks?
MILKish is free from seed oils, has a clean ingredient list, and has low calories and zero carbohydrates.
How does MILKish taste?
MILKish does not taste like watermelon and is designed to complement the flavors of coffee and other beverages.
Is MILKish environmentally friendly?
Yes, producing watermelon seeds for MILKish requires 99% less water than almond production.
Where can I buy MILKish?
MILKish is available at Wildroots Coffee and can also be purchased for retail sales by the quart.
Will other cafés and stores carry MILKish in the future?
Yes, there are plans for more cafés and grocery stores to offer MILKish in the upcoming future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Charlotte Magazine: Wildroots Coffee Offers MILKish
- Wikipedia: Plant-based Milk
- VegNews: Next Generation Dairy-Free Milk
- Google Search: Plant-Based Milk Alternatives
- Vogue: Best Contour Sticks
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Milk Processing
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
