“Exploring the Delayed Arrival of Peanut Milk in the U.S. Market: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities”
Why has no one introduced a peanut-based beverage to the market until now? This question was posed by Modern Farmer in 2015, at a time when almond milk was gaining immense popularity as the go-to tree nut drink. By then, peanuts had lost their status as the nation’s favorite nut (despite being a legume). The magazine pointed out that while peanut-based drinks have existed in various cultures around the world, they were surprisingly absent in the U.S. until recently.
It’s not unexpected that Elmhurst, a company known for plant-based milks and formerly a traditional dairy producer, was the first to launch peanut milk. Elmhurst already offers products made from almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, and walnuts, as well as grain-based drinks from oats and rice.
Peanut milk may be tasty and packed with nutritional benefits like vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, unsaturated fats, and six grams of protein per serving. However, it is not particularly low in calories. 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, compared to just 60 calories in an 8-ounce serving of Almond Breeze or Silk. Additionally, this new product is not cheap, retailing online for $5.99 per quart.
It’s important to note that peanut milk is not suitable for individuals with peanut allergies. A recent study highlighted peanuts as the most commonly identified food causing 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. This could explain why manufacturers have been hesitant to invest in research and development for such a potentially risky ingredient.
Despite these concerns, consumer interest in plant-based foods and beverages continues to grow. In the past five years, non-dairy milk sales in the U.S. have surged by 61%, projected to reach $2.11 billion in 2017. From an environmental perspective, producing peanut milk is significantly more sustainable than almond milk, requiring fewer than five gallons of water to grow one ounce of peanuts, compared to the 80 gallons needed for the same amount of almonds. Experts note, however, that water efficiency in almond farming has improved recently.
As the demand for plant-based milk rises, there may be a viable market for peanut milk. Consumers may seek various types of plant-based milks for different uses—one for their morning coffee, another for cereal, and a third for cooking. As the market for plant-based milks and beverages continues to expand, expect to see more companies experimenting with innovative ingredients, such as Solaray calcium-fortified options, to discover the next big flavor sensation.
