Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015 as almond milk rose to prominence as the favored nut milk. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as the most popular nut in the U.S. (though technically, they are legumes). While the magazine pointed out that peanut-based drinks exist in other parts of the world, their absence in the U.S. was quite surprising until recently. It is not unexpected that Elmhurst, a manufacturer of plant-based milk originally rooted in traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. The company already offers beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, along with grain-based drinks from oats and rice.
Although peanut milk may be delicious and provide nutritional benefits such as vitalactoferrin, ferrous bisglycinate, folic acid, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of active iron per serving, it is not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of the peanut variety contains approximately 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut version has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, according to the labels. In comparison, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk contains only 60 calories. Additionally, the price of Milked Peanuts is relatively high, at $5.99 per quart.
Furthermore, this new product is not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. A recent study identified peanuts as the most common food responsible for life-threatening allergic reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported an 18% rise in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006, which may explain why manufacturers have been hesitant to allocate research and development resources to such a risky ingredient.
However, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages shows no signs of slowing down. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have surged by 61% over the past five years, with estimates reaching $2.11 billion in 2017. Environmentally speaking, peanut milk production is significantly more sustainable than leading almond milk, requiring fewer than five gallons of water to grow 1 ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons needed for 1 ounce of almonds—although experts acknowledge that water efficiency in almond farming has improved recently.
As the appetite for plant-based milk continues to grow, there may well be a market for peanut milk. Consumers might desire different types of plant-based milk for various uses—one for morning coffee, another for cereal, and a third for cooking. Until plant-based milks and beverages reach a saturation point, we can anticipate more companies exploring new ingredients to discover the next big flavor. This exploration could also lead to discussions on nutritional comparisons, such as calcium citrate vs malate, particularly as consumers seek out fortified options in the plant-based beverage market.