Is Almond Milk More Expensive Than Cow's (Dairy) Milk?

I drink almond milk regularly. Three of the four people in my family enjoy it. If you have read other articles I have written on the subject, you know that I have tried dairy, soy and rice milk prior to settling on almond milk as my preference. I was motivated mostly by my desire to avoid the nasal congestion that I often experienced with dairy products.
The issue of cost often surfaces with non-dairy beverage substitutes. The retail price of substitutes is usually higher than dairy products. Recently, in a local grocery store, the price was $2.94 for a half-gallon of refrigerated Silk almond milk. Fortunately, after a previous purchase of refrigerated Almond Breeze almond milk, I received a coupon for $1.00 toward my next purchase of Silk's brand. I gave my coupon to the cashier and, low and behold, the coupon doubled. Instead of having $1.00 off, I received $2.00 off Silk's brand! My final price was $.94 for the half-gallon. That is less than what I pay for a half-gallon of cow's milk (my husband's preference). Clearly, in this example almond milk was not expensive at all.
Coupon offerings from Silk and Almond Breeze manufacturers happen regularly--at least for now. I do not necessarily pay $.94 per half-gallon every time. Yet, the two companies are clearly battling for sales. Apparently, in 2008 Blue Diamond tested their almond non-dairy product on a segment of the Hispanic population, who were known to be lactose intolerant (CHAKER, 2011). The product was received with open arms. Blue Diamond later launched their product in 2009. Silk introduced their product in 2010.
With the stiff competition between the two brands creating an affordable environment for consumers, almond milk is more expensive than cow's milk sometimes but not all of the time. When there are no sales promotions and I have to fork over $3.00 per half-gallon, I still make a purchase because I like the health benefits. However, I may opt to buy less.
When I go to the store, I look to see which brand is on sale or has a coupon dispenser nearby. I also pay attention when I check out because sometimes coupons print along with the receipt. Although I prefer the taste of Almond Breeze Original, I usually get whatever is on sale because the products taste so similar. As for cost, I can only say to watch for price changes and special offers. They can help improve the price significantly.

Almond Nutritional Info & Almond Milk Recipe

Raw almonds are high in protein, containing about 12% of our needs. They contain no cholesterol and are rich in vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorus. They also contain potassium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese and trace amounts of B vitamins. Almonds have a higher calcium level than other nuts and are high in fiber, high in fat, but low in unsaturated fat. Most of the fat is monounsaturated and considered quite beneficial.
Almonds are best kept in a cool location or altogether refrigerated, and rancidity can set in if they are allowed to sit for long periods in warm environments. They are successfully used to make a wide variety of food products that are healthy and nutritious in vegan diets as well as those of non-vegans. They are used to thicken sauces, chopped to make pie dough topped on cakes and use to make almond brittle. Almond butter is a great product of raw almond processing which is also high in protein. Almonds are also use to make almond milk which is rich in calcium, vitamin E and can be used by vegans to replace protein absent from their diets due to the lack of meat consumption.
To make a half gallon almond milk, the required items are needed:
* 1 lb shelled raw almonds
* Blender or food processor
* Large Bowl
* Cheesecloth
* Coffee strain
* Adequate sized pitcher
* Pinch of salt
* Sweetener if desired
Use three cups water for every 1 cup of almonds. Soak overnight to swell and soften, place almonds in blender or food processor and blend. Pour in cheesecloth, drain and squeeze, pour liquid in coffee strain for second strain. Strain again to remove traces of almond pulp, pour in pitcher, add pinch of salt sweetened if desired and chill in refrigerator.

How to Easily Make Almond Milk, At Home!

Did you know you could make creamy rich almond milk at home? In this article I will show you how easy it is to make raw almond milk at home, using common ingredients. Making your very own raw almond milk has never been so easy!
Almonds contain heart healthy fats and are a good source of vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium and their creamy texture makes them a perfect choice for making a healthy nut milk. Nut milk is a great substitution for cow's milk because it tastes great and easy to make. Many people who suffer from a milk allergy, including myself, substitute almond milk so that they can still enjoy their cereal in the morning! Nut milk can also be used in smoothies or by itself. Natural flavorings can be added to the milk such as carob, chocolate, or vanilla.
The first thing you need to make almond milk is a a good source of organic (if possible) almonds. You can find them online, at a natural grocery store, or if you live in California, at your local farmer's market.
1. To make one batch of milk you need 1 cup of almonds.
2. Rinse them well and then soak them in a bowl of water in the refrigerator overnight or at least 6 hours.
3. After they have been soaked, rinse them well and then put them in a blender with 3 cups of cold filtered water.
Blend them in the blender until the water in the blender is a milky white color.
4. Then strain the liquid through a strainer, cheesecloth, or something called a nut milk bag, sprout bag, or filtering bag.
The nut milk bags are inexpensive and easy to find online. The bags really make it easy. If you don't have the bags you can use a large strainer or some cheesecloth. Squeeze the liquid through the cheesecloth or nut milk bag over a big bowl and discard the pulp or save it to bake with.
5. Put the milk back into your blender and add some sweetener and flavorings. My favorite is to add 3 soft chopped dates and a teaspoon vanilla extract. But you could use a teaspoon of honey or a pinch of stevia powder. Blend the milk with the flavorings until smooth.
6. Store your almond milk in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It should last no more than 3-4 days. Do not consume it if it smells sour, it will not last as long as regular milk because it is not pasteurized.
The fiber will naturally separate from the water so you must shake the almond milk before using it.
The ratio of 1 cup almonds to 3 cups water is the perfect ratio to make a silky milk but if you want a richer or more fatty milk add 2 cups of water to 1 cup almonds or for a more watery milk add 4 cups water to 1 cup almonds.
Another option, if you don't want to use your blender to make almond milk, you can buy a soy milk maker that can also make nut milks as well. My favorite soy milk maker is called the Soyabella by Tribest. The Soyabella gives you the option of making cooked or raw nut milks and does the blending for you.
I hope that I have shown you how easy it is to make almond milk, if you would like step by step instructions with pictures of how to make almond milk please check out the resources below.

Benefits Of Almond Milk

Almond milk has many benefits and hence, it serves as good alternative to dairy milk. It has low fat content and replete with calcium and vitamins. It is very good to prevent all kinds of heart diseases and even cancer. It is also very good for proper functioning of the brain, and helps in controlling the blood sugar levels. The milk can easily be used in the daily diet. Almond not only has health benefits, but it also assists in improving the skin and enhances the appearance of the skin.
Some of the benefits of almond milk are discussed in further details below.
The milk has a nutty flavor and tastes excellent. It is powered with essential nutrients and multivitamins. It is considered better than dairy or soy milk because of its low calorie content. It is also excellent for those suffering from lactose intolerance. It is free from all kinds of saturated fats, fiber and cholesterol. One can consume almond milk on a daily basis since. It is an excellent source of protein and consuming it on a daily basis will ensure that you get your daily requirement of protein without any problems. One of the good things about almond milk is that it contains very little sugar and hence, it helps in regulating the blood sugar level. It is also full of calcium and Vitamin D. These are a must for maintaining optimum bone health. One cannot miss its utility in maintaining skin texture. The Vitamin C present in the milk helps to lock in the natural moisture of the skin and thereby, keeping the skin soft and supple. The milk also has a fair amount of Vitamin A, which improves the functioning of eyes. Lastly, the milk also assists in building up the body muscles.