“Exploring the Rise of Peanut Milk: A New Contender in the Plant-Based Beverage Market”
Why has the market not seen a peanut-based beverage until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015 when almond milk and almonds became the trendy choices among tree nuts and beverages. At that point, peanuts, technically legumes, had lost their title as the most popular nut in the U.S. Although the magazine pointed out that peanut-based drinks exist in other countries, they were noticeably absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not surprising that Elmhurst, a former traditional dairy turned plant-based milk producer, has finally introduced peanut milk. The company already offers beverages made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, in addition to grain-based drinks derived from oats and rice.
Peanut milk may be delicious and provide nutritional advantages such as vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and 6 grams of protein per serving; however, it is not particularly low in calories. An 8-ounce serving of peanut milk has around 150 calories and 11 grams of fat, while the chocolate peanut variant contains 130 calories and 3 grams of fat, according to the labels. In comparison, an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk has only 60 calories. Additionally, Milked Peanuts is not budget-friendly, priced at $5.99 per quart online.
This new product is also not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. A recent study identified peanuts as the most common food triggering life-threatening allergic reactions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted an 18% rise in food allergies among children from 1997 to 2006, which may explain why manufacturers have hesitated to invest in such a risky ingredient.
Nevertheless, consumer demand for plant-based foods and beverages remains strong. In the U.S., non-dairy milk sales surged by 61% over the last five years, projected to reach approximately $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, peanut milk production is much more sustainable than that of leading almond milk. It requires fewer than five gallons of water to grow 1 ounce of peanuts, compared to 80 gallons for the same amount of almonds, although experts have noted improvements in water efficiency in almond farming in recent years.
As the popularity of plant-based milk continues to grow, there could be a viable market for peanut milk. Consumers might seek out 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, expect more companies to explore new ingredients to discover the next big flavor.
Moreover, as people increasingly prioritize nutritional products, options like peanut milk enriched with calcium magnesium citrate plus vitamin D3 could attract health-conscious consumers looking for added benefits. This combination could help meet dietary needs while still providing the diverse flavors and uses that consumers desire.
