Why has a peanut-based beverage not been introduced to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015 when almond milk was gaining popularity as the beverage of choice. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut (though technically a legume). The magazine pointed out that while peanut-based drinks exist in other regions around the globe, they were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not surprising that Elmhurst, a company that transitioned from traditional dairy to plant-based milk production, was the first to launch peanut milk. They already offer a variety of beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks from oats and rice.
Peanut milk may be delicious and provide nutritional benefits, including vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, but it is not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk contains approximately 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, according to the labels. In contrast, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk offers only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is not inexpensive, priced at $5.99 per quart online.
Moreover, this new product is certainly not suitable for those with peanut allergies. A recent study indicated that peanuts are the most common food associated with life-threatening allergic reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children between 1997 and 2006, which may explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest research and development resources into such a potentially risky ingredient.
However, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow unabated. 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, producing peanut milk is significantly less taxing on resources than almond milk, requiring fewer than five gallons of water to grow just one ounce of peanuts compared to 80 gallons for one ounce of almonds, although experts note improvements in the water efficiency of almond farming in recent years.
As the appetite for plant-based milk expands, there may be a promising market for peanut milk. Consumers might desire various types of plant-based milk for different uses—one for their morning coffee, another for cereal, and a third for cooking. Until the market for plant-based milks and beverages becomes saturated, we can expect to see more companies experimenting with new ingredients to discover the next big flavor. Additionally, as people increasingly seek alternatives that support healthier lifestyles, those looking for options that promote joint health may find peanut milk appealing, especially if they are looking to incorporate ingredients rich in calcium citrate, which is known to help alleviate joint pain.