Fast Facts About Almond Milk

Keen to learn more about one of the world’s most popular non-dairy milk alternatives? We’ve put together a series of fast facts about almond milk that will get you very excited to kick-start your day with the taste of almonds!

It is one of the oldest plant based alternatives

Soy milk might hold the title of the most popular but almond milk is arguably the world’s oldest plant based milk alternative.

Consumption of almond milk can be traced back to the 13th century, when religious communities opted to drink the beverage during periods of particular significance when the consumption of animal products was forbidden.

Almonds are native to the Middle East, India, and North Africa. However, they quickly spread across the world, particularly throughout Europe, where Catholics opted to drink almond milk during Lent.

It is also believed that Indian communities used almond milk for medicinal purposes as far back as the 17th century.

It has strong religious ties

As mentioned, almond milk is tied closely with religious traditions that ban the consumption of animal products.

Both Catholics and Muslims made the switch to the plant based milk during certain periods of the year. Their use of almond milk extended beyond simply drinking the product; it was an important ingredient in making other dishes, including yoghurt, cheese, ricotta, and butter.

Consumer demand is high

For a long time, soy milk dominated the field of non-dairy milk alternatives. However, the early 2010s saw almond milk burst to the top of the pack and assert itself as the favourite plant-based option.

In 2018, almond milk accounted for approximately 68 percent of the plant-based milk market. In contrast, soy milk came in at only 11 percent.

Consumer demand peaked as almond milk became more commercially available in supermarkets and health food stores.

It’s packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients

Almond milk is also naturally high in a number of important nutrients. Vitamin E, which can help improve vision, skin health, and reproductive health, is found in naturally high concentrations in almond milk, making the drink a great addition to your diet.

It is keto friendly

Keto is a very popular diet that involves consuming low amounts of carbs and high amounts of fat. Following this diet puts your body in a state that is known as ketosis, where you start burning large amounts of fat for energy.

Almond milk contains a very low level of carbohydrates and is full of healthy fats, making it an excellent option for those following the keto diet.

Efforts are being made to improve its level of sustainability

One of the main reasons people switch to plant-based milks is that they are usually better for the environment than dairy options. When almond milk became very popular, many people questioned how sustainable it really was.

The good news is that much has been done to improve the environmental impact caused by the production of almond milk. This is particularly the case in California, where drought has resulted in high amounts of water being used to grow almond crops. Sustainable strategies that have been recently implemented across the world include:

● Providing irrigation guidelines for farmers

● Prioritising bee health

● Use of solar energy in food processing

● Minimising dust production in harvest.

Tasty almond milk treats to try!

Almond milk isn’t only good for your morning coffee — it can also be substituted for regular cow’s milk in all of your favourite recipes. Try these dishes out yourself to see!

Lemon Almond Cake

Lemon and almond — a winning combination! Serves 12.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

● 1 ½ cups of flour

● ½ tsp salt

● 1 tsp baking powder

● 1 cup sugar

● 2 lemons, zested

● 1 cup almond milk

● ½ cup coconut oil

● 2 large eggs

● 1 tbsp lemon juice

● 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the glaze:

● 2 cups powdered sugar

● 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

● 1 tsp vanilla

● ½ cup slivered almonds

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius.

2. Coat a large loaf pan with butter and baking paper.

3. In a medium sized bowl, sift the flour, salt, baking powder, sugar, and lemon zest together. Mix until just combined.

4. In a second bowl, combine the almond milk, coconut oil, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla.

5. Mix together the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.

6. Pour into the prepared pan and place in the oven.

7. Bake for 60 minutes or until a knife emerges clean from the centre of the cake.

8. Let the cake cool completely before removing it from the pan.

9. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, add the lemon juice and vanilla to the powdered sugar.

10. Once the cake is cooled completely, top it with glaze and slivered almonds — enjoy!