Almond Milk Emerges as a Key Player in the Growing Plant-Based Dairy Market

UNITED STATES – Plant-based alternatives have revolutionized the dairy industry, with an array of choices ranging from soy, coconut, oats, cashews, hemp, rice, and the ever-popular almond milk now sharing space with traditional cow’s milk varieties like skim, low-fat (1 percent), 2 percent, and whole milk.

Cow’s milk continues to dominate the dairy landscape in the United States, but the plant-based milk sector has experienced remarkable growth, becoming a $3 billion industry, according to reports from Mintel Market Research.

Almond milk, particularly the unsweetened varieties, has gained traction, offering a lower-calorie alternative. It’s not limited to those who are lactose intolerant; many consumers are making the switch for various reasons.

The Making of Almond Milk

The process of making almond milk is surprisingly simple and can even be done at home. It involves soaking one cup of raw, unsalted almonds overnight. After draining and rinsing, the almonds are blended with three cups of cold water until finely ground.

Registered dietitian Kat Benson, affiliated with Top Nutrition Coaching, explains the next steps: “From there, the liquid is strained using a cheesecloth or nut milk bag and then flavored as desired with vanilla, a pinch of salt, and/or sweeteners.”

Commercial producers take a slightly different route, blanching and peeling the almonds to pasteurize and expedite the process. They then grind the almonds, add water, vitamins, sweeteners, and flavorings before bottling the final product.

Almond Milk Composition

Surprisingly, almond milk primarily consists of water. A noteworthy lawsuit in 2015 alleged that Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze contained about 2 percent almonds, which was later settled by the company. In essence, almond milk’s composition includes water, almonds, sunflower, almond, and/or canola oil for texture, added vitamins A, D, and E, calcium, salt, and sugar or vanilla depending on the variety.

Benefits of Almond Milk

Almond milk offers several advantages, especially for those watching their calorie intake. One cup of unsweetened Silk brand almond milk contains a mere 30 calories compared to 85 calories in skim milk, 125 calories in 2 percent milk, and a substantial 160 calories in whole milk. Additionally, almond milk is a suitable option for individuals with lactose intolerance.

Nutritional Considerations

Whether almond milk is as healthy as cow’s milk depends on one’s dietary requirements and objectives. Almond milk is notably lower in protein compared to cow’s milk, with just 1 gram per serving versus 8 grams in cow’s milk across all varieties. Benson notes, “In addition to being low in protein, it’s also relatively low in carbohydrates, especially the unsweetened kind, and low in fat. So, it does not replace the macronutrient benefits a child might get from drinking dairy milk, for example.”

As almond milk continues to make waves in the dairy industry, consumers have more choices than ever before, catering to various dietary preferences and nutritional needs.