Almond milk

Last updated

Almond milk
Home-made almond milk, November 2012.jpg
Food energy
(per 100  g serving)
15  kcal  (63 kJ)
Nutritional value
(per 100  g serving)
Protein 0.59  g
Fat 1.10  g
Carbohydrate 0.58  g

Almond milk is a plant-based milk substitute with a watery texture and nutty flavor manufactured from almonds, [1] although some types or brands are flavored in imitation of cow's milk. [2] It does not contain cholesterol or lactose and is low in saturated fat. Almond milk is often consumed by those who are lactose-intolerant and others, such as vegans, who avoid dairy products. Commercial almond milk comes in sweetened, unsweetened, vanilla and chocolate flavors, and is usually fortified with micronutrients. It can also be made at home using a blender, almonds and water. [3] [4]

Contents

Global almond milk sales in 2018 were US$5.8 billion, growing at 14% per year, and forecast to be a $13 billion global market by 2025. [5]

History

Almond milk was used as a substitute for animal milk in the Middle Ages in areas that followed Catholic fasting doctrines. Historian Carolyn Walker Bynum notes that:

... Medieval cookbooks suggest that the aristocracy observed fasting strictly, if legalistically. Meat-day and fish-day recipes were not separated in medieval recipe collections, as they were in later, better-organized cookbooks. But the most basic dishes were given in fast-day as well as ordinary-day versions. For example, a thin split-pea puree, sometimes enriched with fish stock or almond milk (produced by simmering ground almonds in water), replaced meat broth on fast days; and almond milk was a general (and expensive) substitute for cow's milk. [6]

Almond milk's popularity as a dairy substitute continued throughout history, going well into modern times. It is even mentioned under the secondary definition of "milk" in Samuel Johnson's Dictionary in 1755, alongside pistachio milk. [7]

Commerce

In the United States, almond milk remained a niche health food item until the early 2000s, when its popularity began to increase. In 2011 alone, almond milk sales increased by 79%. [8] In 2013, it surpassed soy milk as the most popular plant-based milk in the US. [9] As of 2014 it comprised 60 percent of plant-milk sales and 4.1 percent of total milk sales in the US. [10] : 2–3 

Manufacturers and distributors of animal milk have advocated that plant-based milk not be labelled as "milk". They complain that consumers may be confused between the two, and that plant-based milks are not necessarily as nutritious in terms of vitamins and minerals. In the United States, as of 2021, though the USDA is investigating and various state legislatures are considering regulation, various courts have determined that reasonable consumers are not confused, and the FDA has enacted no regulations against plant-based milk labels. [11] European Union regulations require "milk" to be used for animals only, except coconut milk. (See Plant milk § Labeling and terminology.)

Within the Italian regions of Sicily, Apulia, Calabria, and Campania, almond milk is a protected traditional agricultural product. [12]

Brands include Almond Breeze, Elmhurst 1925, Mooala, Silk and Kirkland Signature.

Nutrition

Nutritional content of human, cow, soy, almond, and oat milks

Non-human milks are fortified

Nutrient value
per 250 mL cup 		Human
milk [13] 		Cow milk
(whole) [14] 		Soy milk
(unsweetened) [15] 		Almond milk
(unsweetened) [16] 		Oat milk
(unsweetened) [17]
Energy, kJ (kcal)720 (172)620 (149)330 (80)160 (39)500 (120)
Protein (g)2.57.696.951.553
Fat (g)10.87.933.912.885
Saturated fat (g)4.94.550.50.210.5
Carbohydrate (g)17.011.714.231.5216
Fiber (g)001.202
Sugars (g)17.012.32107
Calcium (mg)79276301 [lower-alpha 1] 516 [lower-alpha 1] 350 [lower-alpha 1]
Potassium (mg)125322292176389
Sodium (mg)4210590186101
Vitamin B12 (mcg)0.11.102.7001.2
Vitamin A (IU)522395 [lower-alpha 2] 503 [lower-alpha 1] 372 [lower-alpha 1] -
Vitamin D (IU)9.8124 [lower-alpha 3] 119 [lower-alpha 1] 110 [lower-alpha 1] -
Cholesterol (mg)34.424000
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Commonly added to plant milks, which do not naturally contain significant levels of the nutrient.
  2. ↑ Vitamin A fortification is only required for skimmed milk in the US.
  3. ↑ Vitamin D fortification for milk is mandatory in the US.


If unfortified, almond milk has less vitamin D than fortified cows' milk; in North America, cows' milk must be fortified with vitamin D, but vitamins are added to plant milks on a voluntary basis. [18] Vitamin E is released from the almonds and absorbed. The positive effects of the vitamin E includes strengthening the cells. [19] Because of its low protein content, almond milk is not a suitable replacement for breast milk, cows' milk, or hydrolyzed formulas for children under two years of age. [20]

Production

The general production method involves soaking and grinding almonds in an excess of water. A milky white liquid is obtained after filtering the almond pulp (flesh). Almond milk can also be made by adding water to almond butter. In commercial production, almond milk is homogenised with high pressure and pasteurised for greater stability and shelf life. [21]

Almond milk can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container (preferably a glass container) for about 4-5 days. However, certain factors, such as the temperature of the refrigerator, sterilization of the blender or storing jar, and surface cleanliness, can decide how many days you can keep it fresh. Storing homemade almond milk for more than a week may reduce its nutrition or even make it unhealthy. [22]

In July 2015, a class action lawsuit was filed in New York City against two American manufacturers, Blue Diamond Growers and White Wave Foods, for false advertising regarding the small quantity of almonds (only 2%) contained in the final product. [23] [24] [25] [26] In October 2015, a judge denied the plaintiff's request for an injunction. [27]

Sustainability

Mean greenhouse gas emissions for one glass (200 g) of different milks [28]
Milk TypesGreenhouse Gas Emissions
(kg CO2-Ceq per 200 g)
Cow's Milk
0.62
Rice Milk
0.23
Soy Milk
0.21
Oat Milk
0.19
Almond Milk
0.16
Mean land use for one glass (200 g) of different milks [28]
Milk TypesLand Use (m2 per 200 g)
Cow's Milk
1.81
Oat Milk
0.25
Soy Milk
0.23
Almond Milk
0.19
Rice Milk
0.14
Mean water footprint for one glass (200 g) of different milks [28]
Milk TypesWater Use (L/200 g)
Cow's Milk
131
Almond Milk
74
Rice Milk
56
Oat Milk
9
Soy Milk
2

Almond production in California is concentrated mainly in the Central Valley, [29] where the mild climate, rich soil, and abundant sunshine and water supply make for ideal growing conditions. Due to the persistent droughts in California in the early 21st century, it became more difficult to raise almonds in a sustainable manner. [30] [31]

Almond sustainability is challenged because of the high amount of water needed to grow almonds: a single glass of almond milk requires roughly 74 litres (16 imp gal; 20 US gal) of water to produce. [28] Among plant-based milks, almond milk requires substantially more water during the growing and production stages than soy, rice or oat milk (graph). [32] [28] Dairy milk requires more water to produce than almond milk (graph). [28] In 2014, California produced 42.3 billion pounds of cow's milk and only 2.14 billion pounds of almond milk. [33] [34]

Sustainability strategies implemented by the Almond Board of California and almond farmers include: [31] [35] [36]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Almond</span> Species of nut

The almond is a species of small tree from the genus Prunus, cultivated worldwide for its seed, a culinary nut. Along with the peach, it is classified in the subgenus Amygdalus, distinguished from the other subgenera by corrugations on the shell (endocarp) surrounding the seed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk</span> White liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals

Milk is a white liquid food produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest solid food. Immune factors and immune-modulating components in milk contribute to milk immunity. Early-lactation milk, which is called colostrum, contains antibodies that strengthen the immune system and thus reduce the risk of many diseases. Milk contains many nutrients, including protein and lactose.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meat alternative</span> Plant-based food made to resemble meat

A meat alternative or meat substitute, is a food product made from vegetarian or vegan ingredients, eaten as a replacement for meat. Meat alternatives typically approximate qualities of specific types of meat, such as mouthfeel, flavor, appearance, or chemical characteristics. Plant- and fungus-based substitutes are frequently made with soy, but may also be made from wheat gluten as in seitan, pea protein as in the Beyond Burger, or mycoprotein as in Quorn. Alternative protein foods can also be made by precision fermentation, where single cell organisms such as yeast produce specific proteins using a carbon source; as well as cultivated or laboratory grown, based on tissue engineering techniques.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soy milk</span> Beverage made from soyabeans

Soy milk, also known as soya milk or soymilk, is a plant-based drink produced by soaking and grinding soybeans, boiling the mixture, and filtering out remaining particulates. It is a stable emulsion of oil, water, and protein. Its original form is an intermediate product of the manufacture of tofu. Originating in China, it became a common beverage in Europe and North America in the latter half of the 20th century, especially as production techniques were developed to give it a taste and consistency more closely resembling that of dairy milk. Soy milk may be used as a substitute for dairy milk by individuals who are vegan or lactose intolerant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rice milk</span> Plant milk made from rice

Rice milk is a plant milk made from rice. Commercial rice milk is typically manufactured using brown rice and brown rice syrup, and may be sweetened using sugar or sugar substitutes, and flavored by common ingredients, such as vanilla. It is commonly fortified with protein and micronutrients, such as vitamin B12, calcium, iron, or vitamin D.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evaporated milk</span> Unsweetened milk product derived from cows milk

Evaporated milk, known in some countries as "unsweetened condensed milk", is a shelf-stable canned cow’s milk product for which approximately 60% of the water has been removed from fresh milk. It differs from sweetened condensed milk, which contains added sugar and requires less processing to preserve, as the added sugar inhibits bacterial growth. The production process involves the evaporation of 60% of the water from the milk, followed by homogenization, canning and heat sterilization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegetarian nutrition</span> Nutritional and human health aspects of vegetarian diets

Vegetarian nutrition is the set of health-related challenges and advantages of vegetarian diets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plant milk</span> Milk-like drink made from plant-based ingredients

Plant milk is a plant beverage with a color resembling that of milk. Plant milks are non-dairy beverages made from a water-based plant extract for flavoring and aroma. Plant milks are consumed as alternatives to dairy milk, and may provide a creamy mouthfeel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk substitute</span> Alternative substance that resembles milk

A milk substitute is any substance that resembles milk and can be used in the same ways as milk. Such substances may be variously known as non-dairy beverage, nut milk, grain milk, legume milk, mock milk and alternative milk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peanut milk</span> Plant milk made from peanuts

Peanut milk is a plant milk, which is an alternative to animal milk. It is made with peanuts, water, and sometimes other additional ingredients like salt, sugar, or cinnamon. Peanut milk is high in fat and protein compared to other plant-based milks. This milk is sometimes used by people who identify with lactose intolerance, veganism, or a casein-free diet, as it has no lactose, but includes nutritional benefits like being high in magnesium, Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, and protein.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silk (brand)</span> American brand of dairy substitute products

Silk is an American brand of dairy-substitute products currently owned by Danone after it purchased WhiteWave Foods in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oat milk</span> Type of plant milk made from oats

Oat milk is a plant milk derived from whole oat grains by extracting the plant material with water. Oat milk has a creamy texture and mild oatmeal-like flavor, and is manufactured in various flavors, such as sweetened, unsweetened, vanilla, and chocolate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soy yogurt</span> A yogurt-like product prepared with soy milk

Soy yogurt, also referred to as soya yogurt, soygurt or yofu, is a yogurt-like product made with soy milk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MimicCreme</span>

MimicCreme was a brand of vegan imitation cream based on nuts and made without lactose, soy, or gluten. It was certified as pareve kosher. First produced commercially in January 2007 in Albany, New York, by Green Rabbit LLC, MimicCreme was primarily marketed toward vegans as an alternative to dairy products. The company website indicates that the company closed in November 2013 due to no longer having access to an appropriate production facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plamil Foods</span> British manufacturer of vegan foods

Plamil Foods Is a British manufacturer of vegan food products. Founded in 1965, the company has produced and pioneered soy milk, egg-free mayonnaise, pea-based milk, yogurts, confection bars and chocolate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vegan cheese</span> Cheese-like substance made without animal products

Vegan cheese is a category of non-dairy, plant-based cheese analogues. Vegan cheeses range from soft fresh cheeses to aged and cultured hard grateable cheeses like plant-based Parmesan. The defining characteristic of vegan cheese is the exclusion of all animal products.

The 2010s in food in the United States describes food trends that are characteristic of the 2010s decade. Many of the trends are a direct result of related social or economic events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pea milk</span> Plant milk made from pea protein

Pea milk is a type of plant milk. It is made using pea protein extracted from yellow peas, usually in combination with water, sunflower oil, micronutrients added for food fortification, thickeners, and phosphates. Commercial pea milk typically comes in sweetened, unsweetened, vanilla and chocolate flavors. It is marketed as a more environmentally-friendly alternative to almond milk and a non-GMO alternative to soy milk. It is a suitable product for people with soy allergies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmhurst 1925</span> Food and beverage company

Elmhurst 1925 is a plant-based food and beverage company located in Elma, New York. The company manufactures and sells non-dairy, plant-based milks made from nuts, grains, and seeds. The first four nutmilks – almond, cashew, hazelnut, and walnut – debuted at Natural Products Expo West in March 2017. A number of additional products have launched since, including their line of unsweetened plant milks made with only two or three ingredients, award winning barista editions, dairy-free creamers, and single serve ready-to-drink options.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oatly</span> Swedish vegan food brand

Oatly Group AB is a Swedish food company that produces alternatives to dairy products from oats, including oat milk. Oatly was formed in the 1990s using research from Lund University. Oatly has headquarters in Malmö and a production and development center in Landskrona.

References

  1. ↑ Lincoln, Jamie (18 August 2016). "Ditching Dairy? Here's a Cheat Sheet to the Tastiest Milk Alternatives". Vogue. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  2. ↑ "Face Off: Almond Milk vs. Soy Milk". Geri Maria Harris. Houston Press.
  3. ↑ Larmer, Christina (9 January 2011). "The pros and cons of almond milk". Adelaide Now. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Mayo Clinic Q and A: Dairy milk, soy milk, almond milk — which is the healthiest choice for you?". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  5. ↑ Anna Starostinetskaya (23 June 2019). "Almond milk market to be worth $13.3 billion by 2025". VegNews, Fresh Healthy Media. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
  6. ↑ Carolyn Walker Bynum (1988), Holy Feast and Holy Fast: The Religious Significance of Food to Medieval Women, University of California Press, p. 41, ISBN   978-0-520-06329-7
  7. ↑ ""Milk," n.s. 1755". Johnson's Dictionary Online. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  8. ↑ David Sprinkle (19 January 2012). "With Almond as the New White Milk, Dairy Alternatives Make Further Inroads". Marketwire. Archived from the original on 23 October 2014. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Wong, Venessa (21 August 2013). "Soy Milk Fades as Americans Opt for Drinkable Almonds". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  10. ↑ Senarath Dharmasena, Oral Capps, Jr., Brooke Kosub, "Demand and Market Competitiveness of Almond Milk as a Dairy Alternative Beverage in the United States" Archived 24 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine , Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Food and Consumer Economics Research Center, (AFCERC), Texas A&M University, 2015.
  11. ↑ Alternative Milk Labeling Leads to Legal Lashings
  12. ↑ "Guida ai Prodotti Tipici del Territorio di Brindisi" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 September 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  13. ↑ "Milk, human, mature, fluid (FDC #171279)". Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
  14. ↑ "Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat, with added vitamin D (FDC #171265)". Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
  15. ↑ "Soymilk (all flavors), unsweetened, with added calcium, vitamins A and D (FDC #175215)". Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
  16. ↑ "Beverages, almond milk, unsweetened, shelf stable (FDC #174832)". Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
  17. ↑ "The Original Oat-Milk". Agricultural Research Service. United States Department of Agriculture.
  18. ↑ Geoff Koehler, "Children who drink non-cows’ milk are twice as likely to have low vitamin D", St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, 20 October 2014.
  19. ↑ Mandalari, Giuseppina; Faulks, Richard M.; Rich, Gillian T.; Lo Turco, Vincenzo; Picout, David R.; Lo Curto, Rosario B.; Bisignano, Giuseppe; Dugo, Paola; Dugo, Giacomo; Waldron, Keith W.; Ellis, Peter R. (May 2008). "Release of Protein, Lipid, and Vitamin E from Almond Seeds during Digestion". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 56 (9): 3409–3416. doi:10.1021/jf073393v. ISSN   0021-8561. PMID   18416553.
  20. ↑ Keller MD, Shuker M, Heimall J, Cianferoni A (January 2012). "Severe malnutrition resulting from use of rice milk in food elimination diets for atopic dermatitis" (PDF). Isr Med Assoc J. 14 (1): 40–42. PMID   22624441.
  21. ↑ Bernat, N; Chafer, M; Chiralt, A; Gonzalez-Martinez, C (2014). "Development of a non-dairy probiotic fermented product based on almond milk and inulin". Food Science and Technology International. 21 (6): 440–453. doi:10.1177/1082013214543705. hdl: 10251/59506 . PMID   25028153. S2CID   6917796.
  22. ↑ Saima, N (10 October 2022). "How to Make Almond Milk? Recipe and Nutrition". infopedia.co. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  23. ↑ Collen, Jess (23 July 2015). "Is 2% Almond Milk More Confusing Than 2% Cows Milk? Blue Diamond And Silk Probably Say 'No.'". Forbes. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Feeney, Nolan (29 July 2015). "False Advertising Lawsuit Claims This Almond Milk Brand Doesn't Have Enough Almonds". Time. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  25. ↑ Steven Trader (8 June 2016). "Almond Milk Buyers Fight Stay Pending Other False Ad Deal". Law360.
  26. ↑ "Class action lawsuit targets Blue Diamond, Silk almond milks". Washington Examiner. 8 June 2015.
  27. ↑ Joe Van Acker (21 October 2015). "Almond Milk Makers Duck Drinkers' Bid For Label Change". Law360.(registration required)
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Guibourg, Clara; Briggs, Helen (22 February 2019). "Which vegan milks are best for the planet?". BBC News: Science and Environment. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
  29. ↑ Erin Brodwin; Samantha Lee (8 April 2015). "Chart shows how some of your favorite foods could be making California's drought worse". Business Insider. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  30. ↑ Richard Gonzalez (16 April 2015). "How Almonds Became A Scapegoat For California's Drought". US National Public Radio. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  31. 1 2 Alan Bjerga; Donna Cohen; Cindy Hoffman. "California Almonds Are Back After Four Years of Brutal Drought". Bloomberg. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  32. ↑ Holmes, Bob (20 July 2022). "How sustainable are fake meats?". Knowable Magazine. doi: 10.1146/knowable-071922-1 . Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  33. ↑ "Real California Milk Facts". The California Dairy Press Room.
  34. ↑ "Almonds | Agricultural Marketing Resource Center". www.agmrc.org. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  35. ↑ "Annual report: Growing Good – Almond Sustainability 2018" (PDF). Almond Board of California. 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  36. ↑ "Almond industry forerunner of future farm practices, sustainability program internationally recognized". Western FarmPress. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.