Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? In 2015, Modern Farmer raised this question as almonds and almond milk became the go-to tree nut and beverage. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut (technically, they are legumes). The magazine pointed out that while there are examples of peanut-based drinks in other regions, the U.S. market surprisingly lacked this option until recently. It’s not unexpected that Elmhurst, a manufacturer of plant-based milk that originally started 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 may be delicious and provide nutritional benefits such as vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving, but it is not exactly a low-calorie option. An 8-ounce serving of the peanut variety has approximately 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut version contains 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, according to product labels. In comparison, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is relatively pricey, selling online for $5.99 per quart.
This new product is obviously not suitable for those with peanut allergies. A recent study identified peanuts as the most common food triggering life-threatening allergic reactions. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006. These factors may explain why manufacturers have been hesitant to invest research and development resources into such a potentially risky ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have surged by 61% over the past five years, projected to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, producing peanut milk is significantly more sustainable than almond milk. It requires less than five gallons of water to cultivate 1 ounce of peanuts, a stark contrast to the 80 gallons needed for the same amount of almonds, although experts note that water efficiency in almond farming has improved recently.
As demand for plant-based milk rises, there may be a potential market for peanut milk. Consumers might want a variety of plant-based milks for different uses—one for their morning coffee, another for cereal, and yet another 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 addition to exploring various plant options, some consumers might also be interested in supplements like Kirkland Signature Calcium Citrate Magnesium and Zinc to complement their nutritional needs.