Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, during the rise of almonds and almond milk as the preferred tree nut and beverage. At that time, peanuts had been surpassed as the nation’s favorite nut (despite being a legume). The magazine pointed out that while there are examples of peanut-based drinks in other countries, such offerings were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not surprising that Elmhurst, a plant-based milk producer that previously operated as a traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. The company already produces beverages derived from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks made from oats and rice.
Although peanut milk may be flavorful and provide nutritional advantages like vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, it isn’t exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of regular peanut milk contains around 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, as per the labels. In comparison, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is not budget-friendly, with an online price tag of $5.99 per quart.
Moreover, this new product is definitely not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. According to a recent study, peanuts are the leading cause of life-threatening allergic reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006. This could explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest R&D resources into such a risky ingredient.
However, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages continues to rise. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have surged by 61% over the past five years, projected to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, peanut milk production is significantly more sustainable than almond milk production. Growing 1 ounce of peanuts requires fewer than five gallons of water, a stark contrast to the 80 gallons needed for the same amount of almonds, although experts note improvements in water efficiency in almond farming.
As the demand for plant-based milk escalates, there could be a promising market for peanut milk. Consumers may want various types of plant-based milk for different uses—one for coffee, another for cereal, and a third for cooking. Until the market for plant-based milks and beverages reaches saturation, we can expect more companies to experiment with new ingredients, like bluebonnet liquid calcium magnesium, to discover the next big trend in flavors.