The photo has been used for illustrative purpose only.

Oat milk has surged in popularity in recent months, but as one of the best-known brands becomes embroiled in controversy, many fans are now looking for ways to make their own homemade versions of the plant-based drink.

Last week, Oatly was heavily criticised after it was revealed that the company receives funds from a private equity firm, Blackstone, that has links to Donald Trump and has been accused of contributing to deforestation in the Amazon, which the firm has denied.

In a statement shared on Twitter, Oatly responded that Blackstone may be an “unexpected choice”, but that its investment “will help us expand our sustainable mission and create more plant-based products”.

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However, many fans of the brand have responded by vowing to boycott it entirely.

“Just learned that @oatly @OatlyUK who I actually really enjoy is tied to the Blackstone Group who is aiding in destroying the Amazon. Can anything just be good?” tweeted writer Aja Barber.

Many people replied that the news was “disheartening” while others said they would no longer buy products from the brand.

Aside from Oatly, there aren’t a huge number of oat milk brands available on UK supermarket shelves, hence why people are now looking for ways to recreate the drink at home.

It’s not as complicated as you might think to make your own. Here’s everything you need to know.

Ingredients

1 cup of rolled oats

4 cups of water

1 pinch of salt

Method

Put all of your ingredients into a blender and leave for one minute

Get a cheesecloth or a T-shirt (make sure it’s clean) and use this to filter your milk into a bowl, passing the liquid through it and squeezing the material if neccessary to get all of the excess liquid out.

Repeat this process once again to make sure your oat milk is as silky smooth as possible and is free from any pulp

If you want to create a slightly sweetened oat milk, simply add a splash of vanilla extract or a tablespoon of maple syrup.

You can also make your oat milk thicker if you like by adding more oats and less water to your initial mixture.

Your homemade oat milk should be stored in a sealed container and will keep in the fridge for five days.

The Independent