Why Almond Milk Remains Popular to This Day

Did you know that almond milk was already a thing back in the Middle Ages? It was in fact one of the staples during the Lenten season and was actually produced in larger quantities than cow’s milk during that age. However, in modern times, it was only during the early 2000s when almond milk gained mainstream popularity. It was in 2011 when almond milk sales experienced a meteoric rise, increasing by 79 percent from the previous year; in 2013, almond milk surpassed soy milk as the most popular plant-based milk in the United States.

Today, there are more kinds of plant-based milks to choose from: there’s still soy milk, of course, but there are also various milks made from other nuts, like hazelnut milk, cashew milk, and walnut milk. There are also grain milks, like those derived from oats and brown rice. However, almond milk still remains king — in fact, it accounts for about 4.1 percent of total milk sales across the States.

So why is almond milk still so popular, unlike other food and health fads that have already come and gone? Here are a few reasons.

Almond Milk is Easier on the Palate

Unlike some plant-based milk products that may be too thin or taste a little too “nutty,” almond milk has a creamy consistency that’s very similar to dairy. In fact, cold-milled almond milk arguably has the closest texture to cow’s milk — a definite plus who are used to the creaminess. What’s more, except for cashew milk, almond milk has the least amount of nuttiness in its flavor, making it easier for people to get used to the taste.

(Unless You Have Allergies) Almond Milk is Safe for Many

More and more people are now becoming aware of celiac disease and its possible implications to the long-term health of its sufferers. And while most plant-based milks are in fact gluten-free, there is something to be said about the availability and wide range of choices that almond milk brings to the table.

Almond milk is also ideal for people with lactose intolerance, diabetes, and heart disease. There are even some dermatologists who recommend it to patients with severe cases of acne since almond milk does not have hormones and additives that may aggravate the skin condition. Indeed, there are only two groups of people who are advised to not consume almond milk:  those who have tree nut allergies and babies less than 14 to 24 months old. Otherwise, most people would have no problem at all drinking almond milk.

Almond Milk is Truly Healthy

Here’s a fact: almond milk has less protein than just plain almonds. However, there are manufacturers who have upped the ante and included a bigger percentage of almonds that goes into their products, like Elmhurst milked almonds, to make up for this nutrient loss. But what’s perhaps more important when discussing almond milk is not what it contains but rather, what it does NOT.

For example, almond milk doesn’t have any saturated fats, which have long been associated with cardiovascular disease. Almond milk is also cholesterol-free and has lower calories compared to both cow’s milk and soy milk. Recent studies have also reported on the potential of almond milk to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells by up to 30 percent. And unless you’re drinking sweetened or flavored variants, you’ll only get about 1 gram of sugar per 8 fl oz (240 ml) of almond milk.

Almond Milk is Widely Available

As mentioned earlier, it is easier to find almond milk compared to other kinds of plant-based milks. This is perhaps owed to its popularity; the most recent numbers indicate that almond milk comprises about 60 percent of all plant-milk sales in America. Almond milk is also one of the first non-dairy milks to gain widespread attention and acceptance (after soy milk), and the way that foodies and health buffs alike rode this wave has led to it becoming a fixture in many health-food and vegan/vegetarian sections of supermarkets.

Many food trends come about in response to the search of better choices. Almond milk may not be perfect, but many people see something preferable in it and that’s why it has stood the test of time.