Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? In 2015, Modern Farmer posed this question as almond and almond milk gained popularity. By that time, peanuts had lost their status as America’s favorite nut (despite being a legume). The magazine acknowledged that peanut-based drinks existed in other countries but were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not surprising that Elmhurst, a company specializing in plant-based milk that transitioned from traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. The company already produces beverages derived from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, in addition to grain-based drinks made from oats and rice.
While peanut milk may be tasty and boast nutritional advantages such as vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, it’s not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk contains around 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant delivers 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, as indicated on the labels. In contrast, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts isn’t inexpensive; its online price is $5.99 per quart.
This new product is certainly not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. A recent study found peanuts to be the most commonly identified food triggering 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 be a significant reason why manufacturers have hesitated to allocate research and development resources toward such a risky ingredient.
Nonetheless, consumer interest in plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. surged by 61% over the past five years and were projected to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. Environmentally, producing peanut milk is significantly less taxing than producing almond milk, which leads the market. It takes fewer than five gallons of water to cultivate 1 ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons required for the same amount of almonds, although experts acknowledge that water efficiency in almond farming has improved in recent years.
As the demand for plant-based milk rises, there may be a niche for peanut milk. Consumers might want various types of plant-based milk for different uses—perhaps one for their morning coffee, another for cereal, and a third for cooking. Until the market for plant-based milks and beverages reaches saturation, expect more companies to explore innovative ingredients to uncover the next big flavor. Furthermore, incorporating nutritious options like Solaray calcium citrate with vitamin D3 could provide additional health benefits for consumers seeking fortified beverages. As the trend evolves, products like peanut milk could find their place alongside other plant-based alternatives, potentially enhanced with ingredients such as Solaray calcium citrate with vitamin D3 to appeal to health-conscious consumers.