Why has the market not seen a peanut-based beverage until now? In 2015, Modern Farmer posed this question as almond milk surged in popularity, overtaking peanuts, which, despite being a legume, had long been the nation’s favorite nut. Although the magazine highlighted that peanut-based drinks exist in other regions, the U.S. market surprisingly lacked such products until recently. It’s not unexpected that Elmhurst, a company that transitioned from traditional dairy to plant-based milk production, was the first to introduce peanut milk. Elmhurst already offers a range of beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, in addition to grain-based drinks from oats and rice.
While peanut milk boasts a pleasant taste and nutritional advantages—including vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, healthy unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving—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 a chocolate peanut variety has 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, in contrast to only 60 calories in an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk. Moreover, Milked Peanuts comes with a price tag of $5.99 per quart, making it a relatively expensive choice.
This new beverage is also not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies, as peanuts are among the most commonly recognized foods that can trigger severe allergic reactions, according to recent studies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted an 18% rise in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006, possibly explaining why manufacturers have been hesitant to invest in research and development for such a potentially hazardous ingredient.
Nonetheless, the consumer appetite for plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. surged by 61% over the past five years, estimated to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. Environmentally, producing peanut milk 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 recent improvements in almond cultivation have enhanced water efficiency.
As the demand for plant-based milk rises, there may be a burgeoning 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 becomes saturated, we can expect more companies to experiment with new ingredients, including calcium citrate names, as they strive to discover the next popular flavor.