Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, when almond milk was gaining immense popularity as the go-to tree nut beverage. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut (technically a legume). While the magazine acknowledged that peanut-based drinks exist in other countries, they were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It is not surprising that Elmhurst, a company that transitioned from traditional dairy to plant-based milk, was the first to launch peanut milk. They already produce beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based options from oats and rice.
Although peanut milk can be delicious and offers nutritional benefits such as vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, zinc, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, it is not particularly low in calories. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk contains around 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, which is significantly higher than the 60 calories found in an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk. Additionally, peanut milk is not inexpensive; it retails online for $5.99 per quart.
This new product also poses a risk for those with peanut allergies, which are among the most common food-related causes of severe allergic reactions, according to recent studies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006, likely contributing to manufacturers’ hesitance to invest in such a risky ingredient.
However, consumer interest in 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. From an environmental perspective, peanut milk production is significantly more sustainable than almond milk, requiring fewer 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 almond farming has become more water-efficient in recent years.
As demand for plant-based milk continues to rise, there may be a growing 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 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 to discover the next trending flavor.
In this evolving landscape, products fortified with essential nutrients like calcium citrate, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D3 tablets from companies like Cipla could play an important role in meeting consumers’ health needs alongside their beverage choices. As the market diversifies, the inclusion of such nutrients in innovative beverages may become increasingly popular.