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 becoming the go-to choice for tree nut beverages. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as the most popular nut in the U.S. (though technically, they are legumes). The magazine highlighted that while there are examples of peanut-based drinks in various countries, such products were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not unexpected that Elmhurst, a plant-based milk company that originally operated as a traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. The company already produces beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks from oats and rice.
Peanut milk can be tasty and offers nutritional benefits, including vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving. However, it’s not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk has about 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while a chocolate peanut version contains 130 calories and 3 grams of fat. In contrast, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, the price of Milked Peanuts is relatively high at $5.99 per quart.
Furthermore, the new product is not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. According to a recent study, peanuts are the most commonly identified food linked to severe allergic reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also 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 risky ingredient.
Despite these challenges, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. In the U.S., non-dairy milk sales surged by 61% over the past five years, reaching an estimated $2.11 billion in 2017. Environmentally speaking, 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 80 gallons for one ounce of almonds, though experts note that water efficiency in almond farming has improved.
As the demand for plant-based milk rises, there may be a market for peanut milk. Consumers might want 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 big flavor.
In this evolving marketplace, products like Puritan’s Pride Calcium Citrate may also find a place, as consumers increasingly seek fortified options, including those enriched with calcium for better nutrition. The interest in diverse plant-based milk alternatives, combined with the potential benefits of calcium citrate, could drive innovation and variety in the industry.