Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, at a time when almond milk was becoming the trendiest tree nut drink. Back then, peanuts had lost their status as America’s favorite nut (even though they are technically legumes). While the magazine pointed out that other countries have seen peanut-based drinks, such offerings were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not surprising that Elmhurst, a company known for producing plant-based milk and formerly a traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. Elmhurst already crafts beverages from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks made from oats and rice.
Although peanut milk offers a tasty option with nutritional benefits—like vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving—it’s not exactly a low-calorie drink. 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, according to product labels. In contrast, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts isn’t budget-friendly either, retailing online at $5.99 per quart.
This new product is certainly not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. Recent studies have shown that peanuts are the leading cause of life-threatening allergic reactions to food. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006, which may explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest in research and development for such a potentially hazardous ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer interest in plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. In the U.S., non-dairy milk sales surged by 61% over the last five years, with projections estimating revenues of $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, producing peanut milk is far more sustainable than leading almond milk. It requires less than five gallons of water to grow one ounce of peanuts, in stark contrast to the 80 gallons needed for an ounce of almonds, although experts note improvements in water efficiency for almond farming in recent years.
As the demand for plant-based milk rises, there is potential for peanut milk to carve out its market niche. 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 innovative ingredients to discover the next big flavor.
In the meantime, those looking for additional nutritional support, such as the best chewable calcium citrate supplement, might also find peanut milk a suitable addition to their diet, as it can complement a variety of health and wellness products. As the landscape of plant-based beverages evolves, the versatility of ingredients like peanut milk could play a significant role in meeting diverse consumer needs, including those seeking the best chewable calcium citrate supplement for their dietary requirements.