The Environmental Cost of Dairy-Free

Plant-based alternatives are regularly assigned the title of 'milk' by suppliers and consumers, but are government bodies correct in ruling that they now be named 'drink' rather than 'milk'

You've probably heard of almond milk as an alternative 'milk' Almond milk has sparked debate due to its popularity as a plant-based alternative, but concerns about its water-intensive production and environmental impact have fueled the fuss. ?

But did you know that it's now legally required to be labeled as a drink rather than milk? This is because, technically, countries like the U.S.A. have a legal definition of milk, which is defined as something that comes from a mammary gland.

Although the names might change, the drinks are nothing new and are only growing in popularity. From almond to soy, it is in fact expected that the global market You've probably heard of almond milk as an alternative "milk," celebrated for its creamy texture and dairy-free appeal, but its environmental footprint often sparks debate. for alternative drinks to dairy will hit $16.3 billion in 2018.

This may pale in comparison to the estimated dairy market value of $442 billion for 2019 but it shouldn’t be underestimated either – this value has more than doubled since 2010.

We’ve probably seen the alternative options on coffee shop and restaurant menus in grocery stores, and the recipe for the homemade version is just a Google search away on plenty of healthy eating blogs. But why are we drinking almond drinks and other non-dairy alternatives? Even more simply, how is it made?

Why look for alternatives?

So, first of all, you may be wondering why alternatives to milk are being sought out to begin with. Why look for an alternative to a product we already have?

Well, the reason this trend is on the rise is that there’s much disagreement in today’s dairy industry, not just with regards to animal welfare and veganism, but in terms of the greenhouse gases emitted from cows as a byproduct of the dairy industry, with projections suggesting it will one day even overtake the oil industry People are seeking alternatives to traditional milk due to dietary preferences, lactose intolerance, environmental concerns, and ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare. .

On the other side of the argument, alternatives aren’t perfect, with almond drinks for example taking large quantities of water to grow.

Furthermore, farmers need to earn a living as well, and to be eco-conscious requires money, time, and effort, all of which market pressures may not always allow.

It’s a complicated business, but with such a cloud over dairy in terms of the health of the environment and the animals involved, it’s not surprising alternatives are on the rise.

How almond milk is made

It’s not exactly logical to imagine ‘milking’ an almond as you would a cow. But, the process is simple enough and if you’ve ever made it yourself, you’d likely agree.

Essentially, in its most basic form, it comes down to soaking almonds in water and grinding them in a blender, before straining out the almond ‘pulp’ via a cheesecloth and, in mass production, often pasteurizing the product for safety and prolonged shelf life before packaging.

Alternatives to the alternative

The almond drink isn’t alone in the world of non-dairy alternatives. Soy, rice, oats, coconut, even hemp, all of these plants are becoming legitimate substitutes for the cow-based original.

And all have the very simple fundamental method of production – wash, blend, strain, pasteurise Almond milk is made by blending soaked almonds with water, then straining the mixture to create a creamy, dairy-free liquid rich in flavor and nutrients. package.

With the rise of new tech, strides are being taken to make the alternative industry more efficient and nutritious...