Why has a peanut-based beverage not been introduced to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, as almond milk surged in popularity, becoming the beverage of choice made from tree nuts. At that time, peanuts had lost their status as America’s favorite nut (though technically classified as a legume). The magazine highlighted that while there are examples of peanut-based drinks in other countries, such options were noticeably absent in the U.S. until recently.
It is not surprising that Elmhurst, a plant-based milk producer that transitioned from traditional dairy, was the first to launch peanut milk. The company already offers beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks derived from oats and rice.
Although peanut milk is enjoyable and provides nutritional benefits, including vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, 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 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 contains only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is relatively expensive, retailing online at $5.99 per quart.
This new product is also not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies; recent research indicates peanuts are the most frequently identified food responsible for severe allergic reactions. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an 18% increase in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006. This might explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest in R&D for such a potentially risky ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages shows no signs of slowing down. Non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have surged by 61% over the past five years, with an estimated market value of $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, producing peanut milk is significantly more sustainable than the leading almond milk. It takes fewer than five gallons of water to grow 1 ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons required for the same amount of almonds, although experts note that water efficiency in almond farming has improved recently.
As the appetite for plant-based milk continues to grow, there may be a viable market for peanut milk. Consumers may seek various types of plant-based milk 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 becomes saturated, expect to see more companies experimenting with new ingredients to discover the next big flavor. Notably, peanut milk could also be fortified with supplements like calcium citrate 600 mg without vitamin D to enhance its nutritional profile, appealing to health-conscious consumers.