Whether you’re vegan, lactose intolerant, or just curious, almond milk is one of the most popular dairy substitutes for everything from cereals to coffee.
By opting for these vegan almond milk brands instead of dairy, you avoid saturated fat, cholesterol, (saturated fat & cholesterol may increase your risk of heart disease [1]), lactose (many adults have lactose intolerance [2]), risk of prostate cancer [3], antibiotic-resistance, hormones, other milk allergies and of course the animal exploitation & environmental impact you associate with the dairy industry.
What made us select these dairy-free almond milk brands for this review? Nutrition, taste, product quality, consumer ratings, and price.
In ranking these brands we have given more emphasis to nourishment considering that plant milk is something vegans would routinely use, especially the nutrients that one would think of missing when you ditch dairy such as calcium, vitamin D (a vital nutrient for bone health), B12 (a nutrient, vegans should not overlook), and vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Besides the nutrients we mentioned, these almond non-dairy milk substitutes are rich in vitamin E as well which is an essential antioxidant.
The two main nutrients that would be lacking in almond milk would be protein (though Orgain Organic Protein Almond Milk in this review has more protein than dairy) and vitamin D3 (most almond milk would have vitamin D2 and you can get free vitamin D3 from sunlight)
Almond milk is also a great weight loss milk alternative if you’re looking to limit gaining weight due to dairy.
Let’s check them out!
1) Silk Pure Almond Milk Brand Review
Silk Almond Vanilla Almond Milk
Silk Unsweetened Original Almond Milk
- Ratings: 4.8 (from 2308 ratings)
- Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
- Price: Vanilla: $ 0.07 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Unsweetened Original: $ 0.05 / Fl Oz (as of Oct 2020)
- Made in USA
Nutrition:
Provides just 90 calories per serving (less than dairy milk), and is also one of the most nourishing plant-based milk brands out there. Boasts more calcium than dairy milk, besides being a rich source of:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin A, and
- Zinc
Silk Pure almond milk is free from dairy (and therefore lactose & casein), MSG, gluten, carrageenan, cholesterol, and artificial colours and flavours. It’s also free from soy, making it a good alternative if you have a soy allergy.
Intro
Since 1977, the Silk brand has been making delicious plant-based foods delighting their consumers for over 30 years, whilst striving towards reducing their carbon footprint.
Silk Pure is endorsed by top athletes like Michael Phelps, (widely considered one of the greatest athletes of all time with 23 Olympic gold medals to his name!) and Aly Raisman (6 Olympic medals). So it’s no surprise it is one of the most sought-after plant milk brands out there!
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Great as a general-purpose milk replacement, and particularly tasty with coffee and in vegan baking! Let’s check out some of the popular Silk Pure almond milk varieties:
Vanilla
After keeping it chilled and giving it a few shakes (remember to give it a good shake before serving!) we poured into our glasses. It’s a bit darker in colour than regular milk. The sweet vanilla scent is immediately noticeable, and extremely pleasant.
Thoroughly enjoyed drinking it plain, and the taste is somewhat reminiscent of a vanilla shake! Features a nice creamy almond vanilla flavour with a fresh and smooth taste, combined with a perfect drinking texture and rich consistency.
Highly recommended for cereals, or oatmeal mixed with frozen berries where the vanilla flavour adds something extra special.
Use it to make shakes, smoothies, or even blend it with various fruits and freeze to make amazing sorbets. We love using this vanilla almond milk for baking (including cakes, brownies, cupcakes & muffins) or for anything sweet. Do note to use less sugar since it’s already sweetened.
Original Unsweetened
If you’re not a fan of sweet plant milks or trying to reduce your sugar intake, then this unsweetened version is perfect for you.
Although not the best tasting to drink on its own, Silk Pure Unsweetened Almond Milk is quite smooth and creamy, and makes a nice accompaniment for cereals which are already on the sweeter side.
Due to its neutral flavor it is also a good choice for savoury dishes such as mashed potatoes or ‘creamy’ pasta dishes and oven bakes.
Unlike dairy milk it’s low in calories at just 90 calories a cup which is 44% less compared to a cup of dairy milk which comes in at 161 calories. It’s also packed with vitamins and nutrients including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. Exceptional source of calcium, as it contains 50% more than dairy milk.
It is shelf-stable, and can be kept in the pantry until needed. Unopened Silk almond milk has a shelf life of about 12 months from the manufacturing date. We like to chill it before drinking, but we’ll leave that one up to you! Once it’s opened, it needs to be stored in the fridge and used within 7-10 days.
2) Orgain Organic Plant-Based Protein Almond Milk Review
- Ratings: 4.2 (from 183 ratings)
- Quality certificates: certified organic, non-GMO project verified
- Price: Unsweetened vanilla: $ 0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Lightly sweetened vanilla: $ 0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
- Made in USA
Intro
Andrew, the founder of Orgain, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer when he was just 17. During chemo and radiation, he lost his appetite entirely and experienced an alarming weight loss.
His doctors recommended nutrition shakes to help him gain back some of the lost weight, but Andrew was concerned that the only options on the market were loaded with unhealthy and synthetic ingredients. So, he teamed up with his mom to start making their own range of organic shakes at home!
Soon, Andrew’s health was mending and he had been inspired to tap into the power of clean nutrition as he pursued a medical career. Soon he realised that he could actually help many more patients, and reach more people in need, by using his experience to create a genuinely healthy, organic nutrition shake. Thus, Orgain was born!
Nutrition:
Orgain Almond Milk provides 80 calories per serving and has no added sugar. If you’re looking for a plant milk which is rich in protein, then this should be your top choice supplying 10 grams of organic plant-based protein per serving (higher than dairy milk). It is also high in calcium, vitamin D, and iron.
Orgain is non-GMO, contains no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, and is free from: soy, gluten, and carrageenan.
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Orgain Lightly Sweetened Vanilla
While the colour is a little grey, the flavour was impressive! Significantly thicker than normal almond milk, but can still be used as a creamer for hot beverages, and can be used with smoothies!
Because of its thickness we got a slight feeling of a meal replacement. We assume that is due to its added protein making it quite a filling as a drink on its own.
Works well with cereals, and oats, but is a little too thick for use with other products like protein / weight loss shakes – unless you like them that way!
If you like, there’s no reason you can’t dilute your Orgain almond milk with a little water to get the consistency you’re used to, and the flavor should still be good even if you dilute it slightly.
The consistency makes it perfect for no-bake treats, carrot cake, or any baked products where you want something a little thicker than standard almond milk to prevent your mix getting too moist.
Orgain Unsweetened Vanilla
Because it’s unsweetened and quite thick and creamy, this variety isn’t ideal for drinking on its own. It has a slightly bitter taste, which could again be attributed to the extra protein (pea & brown rice protein) it contains, but the hint of vanilla gives you an option to mix it into smoothies.
Can also be used in baking and cooking, even in savoury dishes, and can be a good way to cut back on your sugar intake while still getting the vanilla flavour.
3) So Delicious Almond Milk Review
- Ratings: 4.5 (from 143 ratings)
- Certificates: certified vegan, certified gluten-free
- Price: Unsweetened: $ 0.07 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020) / Vanilla: $ 0.11 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
- Made in USA
Intro
With a 30-year old history, So Delicious has been a top vegan choice for frozen desserts, creamy yoghurt alternatives, decadent cheesy melts and of course plant-based dairy alternatives & creamers for decades. Here’s a little more about the company.
With an initial goal of expanding dairy-free options outside of just the milk aisle, So Delicious has quickly evolved into a brand that strives to do what’s good for people and the planet. As a member of the B Corp movement they’re proud to use their brand as a force for good.
Certified B Corporations must meet the highest standards of overall social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability, and must aspire to use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
Nutrition:
Only 25 calories per serving and no added sugar, so a good choice as a weight loss option. Carrageenan free, and contains more calcium than dairy milk. So Delicious is also a rich source of vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin A.
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Unsweetened
Thanks to its clean and subtle nutty taste, So Delicious really outshines other products when used as a coffee creamer – so it’s a must for all the cafeholics out there!
Highly versatile, and recommended for everything from drinking straight to making creamy salad dressings. Great with granola, for use in baking, for making shakes and smoothies, or adding to your favourite hot beverage.
Makes an exceptionally good tea and coffee creamer, and is delicious with shakes, in smoothies, with oatmeal and in cereals.
Vanilla
The taste is really good compared to other vanilla almond milk brands, and makes this product great on its own or with smoothies, protein shakes or cereals.
4) Alpro Almond Unsweetened Drink Review (UK Brand)
- Ratings: 4.5 (from 18 ratings)
- Quality certificates: Non-GMO By Cert ID
- Price: $0.18 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
- Made in UK
Intro
Alpro started making plant-based foods way before it became trendy, and have definitely earned their rep as pioneers.
Their story starts in 1980, when the founders wondered if the goodness of soya could be turned into something useful for the planet’s population. Soon after, their first wholesome soya drink recipe was born, together with their appetite for many other plant-based goodies!
In 2012 they expanded their range to include both almond and hazelnut milks, and 2015 marked the publication of their first sustainability report. It featured their pledge to reduce their CO2 emissions and water usage, plus other great stuff like using sustainable natural resources, reducing their products’ sugar and fat content, and working towards local cultivation wherever possible.
In 2018 Alpro joined the ranks of B Corp Certified, joining a community of leaders using business as a force for good and also launched their first plant-based ice cream.
Nutrition:
Low in calories and comes with nourishing nutrients such as vitamin B12, B2, D, E, and calcium.
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Alpro offers both a roasted and unroasted flavour of their almond milk, with each being suitable for different purposes.
We recommend the unroasted variety for drinking plain, or for use in mild drinks like tea or hot chocolate; while the roasted version can blend well with coffee, oats, porridge, or can be used with baking, smoothies, and desserts, or anywhere you want a little extra zest from your almond milk!
5) Almond Breeze Dairy Free Original Almond Milk Review
- Ratings: 4.4 (from 471 ratings)
- Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
- Price: $0.10 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
- Made in USA
Intro
When you see “Almond” in the brand name itself, you know you probably can’t talk about almond drinks without them!
After all, this is one of the most popular almond milk brands and they call themselves ‘The Almond People’, while having the credentials and experience to back it up.
As a brand, they support more than 3,000 almond growers, and have been pioneering the ways almonds can be enjoyed for over 100 years. From planting their first almond trees way back in 1850, they’ve been innovating and advancing the science of all things almond.
Even better, their products are certified by the Rainforest Alliance to be beneficial for the environment and local communities and growers.
Nutrition:
Low in calories, each serving provides you with 35% of your recommended daily intake of both calcium and vitamin E.
Almond Breeze is free from soy, gluten, cholesterol, and carrageenan.
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Original
If you’re relatively new to vegan almond milk since you have been drinking high-fat dairy milk in the past and now seeking something closer to cow’s milk, then this is probably the closest you may find (though we always encourage you to appreciate the variety of plant milk flavors on its own merit without comparing it to dairy).
This is certainly a favorite among plant-based foodies, and we’re not surprised Almond Breeze offers a taste guarantee.
Creamy and with a pleasant, ultra-smooth consistency, you won’t get that almondy aftertaste you sometimes experience with other brands.
Works well with cereals, baking, and with tea, coffee, fruit smoothies, and protein shakes.
6) Califia Farms Barista Blend Almond Milk Review
- Ratings: 4.5 (from 1449 ratings)
- Quality certificates: Non-GMO Project Verified
- Price: $0.12 / Fl Oz (as of July 2020)
- Made in USA
Intro
Sustainability has been a core value of Califia Farms ever since they started, with over 80% of the almonds they use in their products grown and processed within a 20 mile (32 km) radius of their bottling facility.
In addition, they’re the founders of the exciting Plant Based Foods Association, and are continuously embarking on new initiatives to reduce their environmental footprint.
Nutrition:
Only 70 calories per serving, non-GMO, and higher in calcium than dairy.
Free from:
- Cholesterol
- Gluten
- Carrageenan
- Hydrogenated oils
- Stabilizers
- BPA, and
- Artificial colourants
Taste Test & Serving Suggestions:
Original
Califia Farms Almond Milk has a very subtle almond flavour, and really shines when used in coffee, where it adds just a hint of sweetness without overpowering the coffee itself.
Its creamy texture means it blends very well, and doesn’t form any lumps when added to a hot beverage. Besides that, it froths extremely well – so if you’re into your latte art, then this is the almond milk for you!
Also works really well in smoothies, shakes, and desserts, and makes a superbly creamy-tasting oatmeal. Go on and spoil yourself with a decadent coffee cake or a loaded berry smoothie which this plant milk was born for!
All in all, if nourishment is your top priority we recommend Silk, Orgain Organic, So Delicious and Alpro, but if taste is what you’re after, then Almond Breeze, Silk, and Califia Farms are the brands that could serve your palate (taste is a subjective matter!).
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