Whole Foods Almond Milk

Using nuts as the basis for a white, milk-like liquid is apparently as old as milking itself. Nut "milks" haven't had as much success in the market as soy "milks," though. That appears to be changing.

Whole Foods Market, the upscale supermarket chain, announced "the expansion of its all organic and domestically sourced non-dairy beverage line as it launches the company's first almond milk line –including the industry's first-ever private label refrigerated organic almond milk– and light soymilk in Original and Vanilla varieties under its value-priced 365 Organic Everyday Value brand– available now in Whole Foods Market stores nationwide."

The company will continue to offer shoppers its popular high quality 365 Organic Everyday Value Soy and Rice Milk in Original, Vanilla, Chocolate and Unsweetened varieties, with new graphics to streamline the package design across the category. Soy and almond milk options will be sold in both refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties. ...

To taste the new non-dairy beverages, visit any Whole Foods Market store across the U.S. In-store sampling demonstrations will be held throughout August.

Taste Test of Silk's PureAlmond

Silk, the noted maker of soy milks, introduced its PureAlmond nut-based milk alternative just a few months ago.

The Florida Times-Union assigned Ann J. Kelley to conduct a taste test.

Both lactose- and soy-free, Silk Pure Almond Almondmilk can be purchased in Original or Vanilla, and while it's lower in calories than regular milk, it still provides the same amount of calcium and vitamin D.

We wondered if the average milk drinker, with no lactose problems, would find the almondmilk appealing, so we had members of the Times-Union Consumer Panel put it to the test. All of them gave it high marks.

Comments included:

"If you don't like it, you're nuts! It's really good and has more fiber and fewer calories, sugar and carbs."

"It's not at all sweet like I expected and has a nice rich taste without the fat."

"My husband thought it was OK, but it's a little too rich and sweet for me."

"It isn't quite as cold or refreshing as 2 percent milk."

The panel's biggest problem other than the sweetness was the price. At $3.00 for a half-gallon, the taste wasn't near good enough to overcome the cost. Remember, though, these are milk drinkers who have the option to buy cow's milk. Those of us who don't have lots more incentive.

Food Fight: Almond Milk vs. Soy Milk

Buried deep in the comments on one of the pages on the Starbucks vegan frappuccino was a petulant whine wondering why the company used soy milk at all when almond milk is so obviously superior.

You like what you like. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

Geri Maria Harris, on the Houston Press blogs, did a somewhat more sophisticated comparison of one brand each of almond milk and soy milk, testing them to see which worked in what recipes.

Verdict?

The good news is: for people eschewing cow's milk in favor of plant sources of milk, both almond and soy milk were great alternatives. We recommend going with the Almond Milk for breakfast foods, baking sweets, and if you're really looking for a good doppelganger for cow's milk. For savory cooking and baking, go with the soy stuff.