Almond milk’s popularity dates back hundreds of years before it was readily available in Starbucks, local coffee shops, and large grocery stores.
Medieval cookbooks show that it was in high demand during the middle ages. And some historical texts suggest that its invention was religiously motivated.
Read on to learn more about when almond milk was invented, how it became popular in the United States, and the reasons for its high demand over the years.
Quick Answer
When Was Almond Milk Invented?
The earliest mentions of almond milk were in the 8th century. It arrived in Europe by the 13th century and became popular in the U.S. in the 1800s.
The Invention Of Almond Milk
Almonds are native to the Middle East. As such, almond milk’s invention traces back to the same region.
One of the earliest mentions of almond milk was in an 8th-century Islamic medical text called the Golden Treatise.
Almonds later spread along the Mediterranean and eventually to Europe through trade.
Although it’s unclear when they arrived in Europe, almond milk appeared in 13th and 14th-century European cookbooks.
Why Almond Milk Was Popular In The Middle Ages
Almond milk was an important ingredient in medieval cooking.
European Christians mostly valued it during Lent - a 40-day prayer, fasting, and almsgiving season to prepare for Easter.
It became a nutritious replacement for dairy milk since Christians abstained from animal products like meat and milk during that period.
Almonds, Amigdale dulces, from The Four Seasons, The House of Cerruti (source)
Almond milk allowed them to observe dietary restrictions while enjoying tasty dishes and beverages.
Although the continent’s Christian faith was largely responsible for almond milk’s popularity, medieval cookbooks show that people used it in various recipes throughout the year, not just during lent.
They preferred using almond milk over dairy because it lasted longer. Desserts, stews, sauces, and cheese didn’t spoil as quickly when they used almond milk in the recipe.
The nut milk was also easier to digest compared to dairy.
Moreover, they could make and enjoy a fresh batch of almond milk whenever possible, while dairy turned sour hours after being collected.
Despite its advantages, almond milk wasn’t readily accessible to everyone. It was too expensive for people who lived far from almond-growing regions.
It signified people’s social class at the time because it was an exotic luxury ingredient that only the nobility could afford.
Almond milk’s popularity later declined as the church became more lenient on the issue of fasting.
It appeared less in cookbooks by the 17th century but once again became one of the most preferred milk alternatives in the 21st century.
Almond Milk’s History In The United States
Almond milk arrived in the US around the 19th century. Like in Europe, its popularity soared due to some religious practices.
It was widely used by the Seventh Day Adventists - a religious community whose members are vegan or vegetarian.
They used almond milk as an alternative ingredient to dairy. And they incorporated nuts into their cooking to replace meat in some dishes.
Later, the milk gained traction with outsiders, but it still wasn’t as sought-after as soy milk.
Soy milk was the most popular plant-based milk at the time. It was doing exceptionally well in the late 90s and early 2000s. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) even allowed soy brands to market it as a product with multiple health benefits.
After observing soy milk’s commercial success, a cooperative for almond farmers in California (The Blue Diamond Growers) decided to develop their almond milk brand.
Almond milk sales were growing by the time Blue Diamond moved it to the milk aisle in 2008. Its demand increased because soy milk was receiving a lot of bad press. People were avoiding soy milk and looking for a different non-dairy alternative.
Soy’s negative publicity was due to studies that suggested it increased one’s vulnerability to cancer, caused hormone disruption, and could affect one’s thyroid health.
Some of the claims came from animal studies. They weren’t reliable since animals process soy differently from humans. The other case studies involved people who had drunk excessive amounts of soy.
Researchers later debunked the claims. Several meta-analyses and reviews of soy-related studies proved soy milk is safe as long as it’s taken in moderation by people with healthy thyroids.
Despite the clarification, the backlash had already affected soy milk's reputation, and more people had turned to almond milk.
Almond milk became a favorite because it lacked the hormones in soy and the lactose in dairy. It was also a welcomed alternative for those who couldn’t drink dairy but didn’t like soy milk’s taste.
Over the years, almond milk sales grew until it surpassed soy milk as the most popular non-dairy alternative. By 2014, almond milk made up 60% of plant-milk sales in the United States.
In 2020, the gap between soy and almond milk sales continued to widen, as demonstrated in the table below.
Although almond milk was the best-selling type of milk alternative in 2021, other non-dairy options like oat milk have also recorded steady growth.
Other Reasons For Almond Milk’s Popularity In the United States
Almond milk didn’t become popular just because it was a less controversial alternative to soy milk. It attracted different people because it appealed to some environmental, ethical, and health concerns.
Almond Milk And The Environment
Some people opt for almond milk because it’s environmentally friendly compared to dairy.
The University of Oxford conducted a study on food’s environmental impacts. They found that dairy milk production resulted in thrice the amount of greenhouse gas emissions of non-dairy milk.
Almond trees lock up a lot of carbon dioxide as they grow, making almond milk the non-dairy option with the lowest greenhouse emissions. Almonds also take up less land and water compared to cows.
However, it’s important to note that almond milk production requires more water than other plant-based milks.
Almond Milk And Health
Almond milk offers the following health benefits:
A Great Source of Vitamin E
Almond milk’s high vitamin E content gives it antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that these vitamin E attributes could help decrease one’s cancer risk.
Vitamin E supports the body’s immune system and is essential for skin health, vision, and brain health, among other things.
Aside from vitamin E, almond milk contains a substantial amount of Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and Biotin (vitamin B7).
Reduces Risk Of Heart Disease
High cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Studies show that almonds can help reduce total and ‘bad’ (LDL) cholesterol levels and maintain or increase ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol levels. The milk is also cholesterol-free, making it ideal for a cholesterol-free diet.
According to Havard University, almonds contain 80% heart-healthy fat as well.
Almond milk’s magnesium content also makes it great for heart health.
Magnesium reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. It does so by regulating one’s heartbeat, limiting the risk of plaque formation, and transporting essential minerals across the cells.
Almond milk also contains calcium and potassium, which play significant roles in cardiac function, blood pressure regulation, and other beneficial effects.
Great For A Diabetic Diet
Unsweetened almond milk is an excellent low-glycemic option for people with diabetes. It is low in carbs and sugar, so it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
One control trial found that an almond-based diet can help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood glucose and insulin levels. The diet also helped improve the patients’ depression.
Related: Is Almond Milk Good For Diabetics?
Good For Weight Management
Unsweetened almond milk is lower in calories than dairy and most plant-based milk. You can include it in your diet if you wish to maintain or reduce your calorie intake.
Researchers conducted a study comparing the effectiveness of almonds to complex carbohydrates in a weight loss program.
They found that the people on the almond-based low-calorie diet lost more weight than the complex carbohydrates group.
Almonds also reduce insulin resistance, making them great additions to weight loss plans. People with insulin resistance have trouble losing weight because their bodies store excess blood sugar as fat.
Excellent Digestive Health
Almond milk contains phytonutrients that help support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
The fermentation of its dietary fiber also increases the number of healthy gut bacteria.
Almond Milk Is Cruelty-Free
Almond milk is an appealing option to people with ethical concerns about animal welfare. It’s plant-based, making it a cruelty-free alternative to dairy.
Some feel that quitting dairy products is a great way to protest against the dairy industry’s animal abuse. And the best way to end the cycle of cruelty dairy cows go through.
The History of Almond Milk - Explored
Most people assume almond milk is a new health item because it made it to the milk aisle in the late 2000s.
Almond milk has a fascinating history and is more than a trendy obsession. The major changes in American food culture did not influence its existence.
It appeals to people for different reasons and offers several health benefits.
Although other plant milks might surpass it in the future, we believe it will still be as useful as it was hundreds of years ago.
