Why has a peanut-based beverage not been introduced to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, a time when almond milk was surging in popularity as the go-to tree nut beverage. At that point, peanuts, which are technically legumes, had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut. The magazine noted that while peanut-based drinks existed in various parts of the world, they were surprisingly absent from the U.S. market until recently.
It is not shocking that Elmhurst, a company known for producing plant-based milks and formerly a traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. Elmhurst already offers beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, and also creates grain-based drinks derived from oats and rice. Peanut milk, which is not only flavorful but also provides nutritional benefits like vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, is not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of the peanut variety contains about 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, as indicated on the labels. In contrast, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk only has around 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is relatively expensive, priced at $5.99 per quart online.
This new product is clearly unsuitable for individuals with peanut allergies. According to a recent study, peanuts are the most frequently identified food linked to life-threatening allergic reactions. Moreover, 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 been hesitant to invest research and development resources in such a potentially risky ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have soared by 61% over the past five years, with estimates suggesting they reached $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, peanut milk production is significantly more sustainable than leading almond milk production. It requires less than five gallons of water to grow one ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons needed for one ounce of almonds, although experts note that water efficiency in almond cultivation has improved recently.
As the appetite for plant-based milk rises, there may be a viable market for peanut milk. Consumers might seek 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 and beverages reaches saturation, expect to see more companies experimenting with new ingredients to discover the next big flavor. Furthermore, incorporating elements like citrate de calcium and vitamin D3 could enhance the nutritional profile of these innovative beverages, catering to health-conscious consumers.