Years ago even soy milk was a challenge to find. These days, it's sold in just about every grocery store and easy to locate. I was accustomed to drinking soy milk because I thought it was the best alternative to dairy milk. I also tried rice milk, and that was good and flavorful, but seemed a bit watery, in my opinion. Over the last few years, I stumbled upon almond milk and gave it a try. After one taste I was hooked!
Nutritional Profile
For a standard one cup (8 ounce / 240 mL) serving, Almond Breeze has 60 calories, 25
from fat, and no cholesterol, unlike even fat free dairy milk. Almond Breeze contains 6% RDA of sodium, 5% potassium, and 1 gram of protein per serving. It provides 1 gram (4%) of fiber and 7 grams of sugar. It is a good source of vitamins E and D as well as calcium, vitamin A, and other vitamins and minerals. Almond Breeze Almond Milk provides as much calcium and vitamin D as dairy milk but without any cholesterol, saturated fat, or lactose, and even with less sugar per serving as well.The Flavor
Almond Breeze tastes great and has a very smooth and creamy flavor with a subtle sweetness and hint of almond flavor. It does not taste like dairy milk or soy milk and is more substantial and flavorful than rice milk, in my opinion. I highly recommend this product if you are concerned with drinking dairy milk for any reason, are lactose intolerant, or have been exploring healthier options.
I have also tried Silk's Almond Milk, and prefer Almond Breeze.
Ingredients and Allergy Warnings
Almond Breeze is made from filtered water, cane juice, almonds, and other ingredients. Almond Breeze no longer contains any soy, so those allergic to soy are free to enjoy this brand. (Silk also offers an almond milk, Silk Pure Almond, which contains no soy and uses sunflower lecithin. Both Almond Breeze Almond Milk and Silk Pure Almond are vegan.)
Almond Breeze is made without genetically modified ingredients and is pure and natural, without any chemicals, antibiotics, preservatives, and other harmful ingredients. While Almond Breeze is a healthy alternative to dairy milk and soy
milk, fortified with vitamins and minerals and rich in antioxidants, this product is obviously not qualified to be used as infant formula but is safe for children and adults of all ages.The Container
Almond Breeze comes in a mainly sky blue container with the words Almond Breeze Rich and Creamy Almond Milk near the middle of the front of the package. Near the top is the brand Blue Diamond in white lettering inside of a blue diamond-shaped space and the word "natural" below the brand's name in green lettering. Milk is shown splashing onto a healthy fruity bowl of cereal near the bottom of the label.
The almond milk comes in the standard waxy cardboard container, in which most half gallons of milk are housed. I believe such containers are easily recyclable or reusable. Almond Breeze displays nutritional information on the very next panel (if you turn the container clockwise) and has a white plastic screw-off cap for easy pouring and storage. It is suggested to shake well before using and must remain refrigerated.
Varieties
There are a number of varieties available. A new almond milk with coconut milk combination is available, and is my favorite version thus far! There are sweetened and unsweetened varieties available as well as chocolate, vanilla, and other versions.
Blue Diamond, the makers of Almond Breeze, was founded in 1910 and are the "largest nut processing and marketing company." They claim to be "dedicated to offering a variety of ways to enjoy... tasty and nutritious almonds everyday," according to their website. Blue Diamond also produces a variety of other almond-based products, such as Almond Butter, crackers, cooking and baking almonds, oven-roasted almonds, flavored almonds, and more.
Sources
personal experience,
product labeling
You can find recipes and more information at the website, www.BlueDiamond.com.
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