Why has the market not seen a peanut-based beverage until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, during the rise of almond milk as the go-to tree nut beverage. At that time, peanuts, which are technically legumes, had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut. While the magazine pointed out that there are existing peanut-based drinks in other countries, the U.S. market surprisingly lacked such options until recently. It’s not unexpected that Elmhurst, a company that transitioned from traditional dairy to plant-based milk production, was the first to introduce peanut milk. They already offer beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, in addition to grain-based drinks like those made from oats and rice.
Peanut milk, while flavorful and packed with nutritional benefits like vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and about 6 grams of protein per serving, is not exactly a low-calorie drink. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk contains roughly 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, whereas a chocolate-flavored version has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat. This contrasts with the 60 calories found in an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk. Additionally, peanut milk isn’t particularly affordable, with an online price tag of $5.99 per quart. It’s important to note that this product is not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies, which are a significant concern. A recent study identified peanuts as a common food that can cause severe allergic reactions, and the CDC has reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006. This could explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest in developing products with such a risky ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer demand for plant-based foods and drinks continues to grow. In the U.S., non-dairy milk sales surged by 61% over the past five years, reaching an estimated $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, producing peanut milk is much less taxing than almond milk, requiring under five gallons of water to produce one ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons needed for the same amount of almonds. Experts do note that water efficiency in almond farming has improved in recent years.
As the appetite for plant-based milk increases, there may be a market for peanut milk, as consumers might want various types of plant-based milk for different uses—one for their morning coffee, another for cereal, and yet another for cooking. Until the market for plant-based milks reaches saturation, expect more companies to explore new ingredients in search of the next big flavor.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that calcium citrate là gì (what calcium citrate is) may also play a role in consumers’ nutritional choices, as they may look for beverages that offer additional health benefits. As the market evolves, information about the nutritional content, including calcium citrate, could become increasingly relevant to shoppers.