The start-up produces vegan milk alternatives from pea proteins. We tested the trial package from Vly. It contained four versions - Unsweetened, Original, Barista and High Protein - as well as a cocoa drink. Our conclusion.

Replacing animal products is difficult. With Vly, the next young company is now embarking on a quest to find an alternative for an animal product, in this case milk. The Berlin-based food start-up produces its milk from pea proteins and claims that it has no added sugar, is 100 percent plant-based and contains no allergens. Founders Moritz Braunwart, Niklas Katter and Nicolas Hartmann chose peas because they are rich in protein and consume 15 times less CO2 than cow's milk - at least that's what they advertise on the white cartons.

A few weeks ago, they were able to convince the jury members of the Austrian program "2 Minuten 2 Millionen" with their plant-based drink and landed a total of 1.5 million euros in TV advertising budget. In the future, the Berlin founders now want to bring their own product to men and women in the neighboring country as well. According to the start-up, its milk alternatives are already available in 8,000 supermarkets.

The only question that remains is: How does Vly's plant-based drink really perform in the test? Is it a true milk alternative, without too many additives - or does the animal product remain the winner? We tested the "2M2M" trial pack from Vly. It contains a cocoa drink and four different versions of the milk alternative. The package contains the classic version, which the start-up labels the "original. In addition, there is a high-protein version, an unsweetened version of the plant-based drink, and two boxes labeled "Barista.

The milk alternative from Vly in the test

Packaging & shipping: This is how the process works

We ordered the set online. Already after a few days, the quite heavy package arrived. No wonder: after all, more than five liters of the vegan milk alternative from Vly are hidden in the oblong, white cardboard box with black spots and the inscription "No Milk Today".

When we open the package, the slogan "We come in Peas" greets us as an allusion to the pea protein base. Otherwise, the carton is plain. The start-up does not use any big bells and whistles or plastic. Practical: The packaging is easy to open and reseal, and as long as the milk has not yet been open and needs to go into the refrigerator, the carton serves as a storage space even in narrow kitchens.

Ingredients: What's in Vly

Our first look, of course, falls on the ingredients. Because often vegetarian or vegan alternatives are not as healthy as they look. While they come without animal suffering, additives or sugar are often added to copy the color, shape or texture of meat, for example. We logically ask ourselves: What did the founders mix together in their Berlin lab to discourage people in Germany from drinking more than four million liters of milk each year? What flavor enhancers have they used and what unhealthy additives are supposed to make the alternative milk palatable to us?

The answer turns out to be surprising: There are hardly any ingredients or additives in Vly's vegan milk alternative. Although the individual versions, unsweetened, high protein or original, differ slightly in composition, overall the start-up manages with almost no unhealthy extras. Thus, the unsweetened version consists of water, pea protein, inulin, canola oil, acidity regulator, calcium carbonate, citrus fiber, natural flavors and sea salt. The only thing that seems odd to us is the added inulin, which is otherwise often sold as an additive when it comes to intestinal health or promoting healthy intestinal flora. Manufacturers could not prove this effect in the long run. On the contrary: For humans, who suffer from a Fructoseintoleranz, Inulin can strengthen the symptoms even. So why add inulin? We asked Vly and got a simple answer: Add inulin as a dietary fiber supplement.

In the barista edition, we discover a second substance that somehow doesn't fit the fully healthy composition: Phosphate. While phosphates are commonly used in the food industry and are also found in cow's milk, they are quite controversial. Vly says it uses it to prevent flocculation.

The other Vly products in the tasting pack have similar ingredient lists, which is overall positive. Even the cocoa drink does without added industrial sugar and instead relies on the sweetness of dates.

Appearance, consistency and taste: How Vly performs

Alternatives to milk, meat and many other animal products often have to listen to a prejudice: It doesn't taste anything like the original. On the one hand, this is because it is simply very difficult to perfectly imitate the shape, texture or taste of certain products. On the other hand, it's because the makers often don't intend it to be. For example, a potato burger can be a delicious burger alternative without tasting like beef. And with Vly?

This is what the original version of Vly tastes like

Vly's plant-based drink, it must be said clearly, does not taste like milk. After giving the milk a good shake, as suggested on the packaging, we unscrew the lid and take a sniff: the original version smells a little like oats. But does it taste the same? We pour the plant drink into the glass and see directly that the consistency is very similar to that of milk, but the color looks much darker and somehow washed out.

After the first sip, it is clear that the milk does not taste like cow's milk, but also not like oats. The first association that comes to mind is vanilla. Among the testers, however, the opinion then fluctuates between "a bit like an old vanilla ice cream" and "similar to vanilla protein powder". In favor of the latter is, among other things, that the taste is also slightly creamy, as known from vegetable protein powders that can be dissolved in a glass. Bad tastes the milk of Vly not and even much better than oat milk or soy milk pure. It was well suited for cooking, even if we did taste the inherent flavor in some places.

This is what the unsweetened version of Vly tastes like.

The unsweetened version uses inulin instead of fermented rice. The composition tastes surprisingly good and even quite similar to cow's milk - even pure. Only the "protein powder" feeling does not completely disappear. In coffee, the unsweetened fake milk behaves similarly, the taste is relatively very close to cow's milk, but the creamy part remains and becomes stronger the more the coffee cools down. Compared to the barista version, the unsweetened version is - surprise - less sweet and thus more for people who usually drink their lattes without extra sugar.

This is what the barista version of Vly tastes like

Compared to the Vly Original, the Barista version tastes much less like vanilla on its own, but still quite sweet. The protein-powder feeling in the mouth is also barely present. It foams excellently and the taste in coffee is also amazingly similar to that of cow's milk. A little sweeter and creamier, but for those who like the taste of conventional milk in coffee: a real alternative.

This is what the "High Protein" version of Vly tastes like.

Urgh. Pure, the High Protein version is really no treat. Super creamy, cloying and a taste of stale vanilla floods the mouth. Aaaabut there is a second chance: on the back of the package is a recipe for a "Post Workout Shake". Mixed, sipped. Still: urgh. The initial taste still comes through strongly, unfortunately, only now it's even sweeter. An indefinable, almost sour aftertaste follows. Next, please.

This is what the cocoa drink from Vly tastes like.

The expectation is high. After all, cocoa usually drowns out almost all strange tastes. In this case, unfortunately, it doesn't. The first sip is still okay, a bit creamy perhaps, but the cocoa powder comes through well. Then it turns and doesn't have much in common with normal cow's milk cocoa. The taste can best be compared to somewhat stale water-based cocoa that has been artificially thickened. You have to like it, we didn't.

"In terms of price, it is unfortunate that milk alternatives are taxed at a higher rate of 19 percent compared to regular milk, rather than 7 percent like regular dairy products. In addition, the demands of alternative milk products are still not high enough for us to increase production volumes and reduce production costs."

Vly on the price of milk alternative

Price: quite steep

The price at Vly, we can't say otherwise, is pretty steep. The 12-pack of the original version koster 29.85 euros or 2.49 euros the liter. At Aldi, the liter of long-life whole milk is already available for 88 cents, and even the organic milk is available from one euro. That's a difference of 1.50 euros per liter, which can add up quickly depending on the amount of milk consumed in a glass or coffee. In return, the founders promise less CO2 and animal suffering. Shipping is also free with a 12-pack, which replaces the annoying schlepping from the supermarket - or just shifts it to the letter carrier. There are further savings with special campaigns or who orders the milk directly in the Abo. Then the 12-pack costs almost 27 euros instead of just under 30 euros. During our test period, there was a special offer. The package cost 12.99 euros.

When asked about the price, Vly says: "With regard to the price, it is unfortunately the case that milk alternatives are taxed at a higher rate of 19 percent compared to normal milk and not at 7 percent like normal milk products. In addition, the demand for alternative milk products is still not high enough for us to increase production volumes and reduce production costs."

Marketing and advertising: a little too early

A little early comes the first promotional email after the purchase. We've only just taken delivery of over five liters of plant-based drink, and already a letter from the startup is trickling in: How many stars would you give Vly? By then, we had just managed to drink half a glass and were certainly not ready to give a rating yet.

This is Startbase's verdict on Vly's vegan milk alternative.

Overall, we were very pleasantly surprised by some of the products, and rather disappointed by others. Especially the unsweetened version of Vly can score with all testers, because it tastes very similar to milk and tastes almost exactly like real milk in coffee. One tester even said: "This is the best milk alternative I know, ahead of Oatly or Alpro. The Barista milk received similarly high marks, with a very fluffy foam on the coffee that lasted a long time. The original tastes interesting, but didn't generate rave reviews. The plant drink for high protein received an "Urgh" and the cocoa drink is also not convincing in taste. On the other hand, Vly scores points with its relatively clean list of ingredients; the start-up manages with almost no unnecessary additives and less sugar: We think that's very good. We only found the price of almost 2.50 euros per liter a bit steep.