Did you ever wonder how many almonds are in your almond milk? I compared four popular brands to find the number of almonds it would take for each. The results are astonishing, so this won’t be my most popular post. Based on the legally regulated nutrition facts of each brand, I compared that to the nutrition facts of one natural almond, I broke each brand down to how many almonds it would take to make it. I discovered there are only 9 to 14 almonds in 2 cups of commercial almond milk. That means the mark-up is astronomical, nutrition is low, and you’re paying for mostly water, packaged, and distributed many miles via grocery trucking systems. A profitable business model indeed! If you own a blender, homemade almond milk is vastly superior.I thought you might enjoy the detailed comparison below.
- My homemade almond milk contains 1/2 cup almonds – 75 almonds
- Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk – 14 almonds
- Silk Almond Milk Original Unsweetened – 9 almonds
- Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk – 10 almonds
- Pacific Organic Almond Bev. Original Unsweetened – 9 almonds
The graph below shows a complete breakdown of nutrition facts of the various almond milks.
Homemade is the BEST!
Almonds, a Nutritional Powerhouse
Almonds are loaded with beneficial nutrients, rich in complete protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and oh such a wonderful flavor! However as much as we love non-dairy milks, it appears that the almond-milk industry is selling us a carton of filtered water whizzed up with a couple of almonds, and pleasantly thickened with a myriad of other ingredients to make it more “dairy-like”. I compared unsweetened and unflavored varieties only, so these are presumably the “purest” nut milks available.
The Bad News:
Even though almonds are extremely high in nutrients, it seems we’re getting precious few of them in commercial almond milks. Let’s take a look at the additives that make our empty milk so smooth, thick and appealing. What ingredients are in 2 cups of almond milk that cause us to love it so much?
- My homemade almond milk recipe uses 1/2 cup or 75 almonds and 2 cups filtered water. It is smooth, rich, and fantastic! It takes me about 5 minutes to make, a lot quicker and cheaper than going to the store. Since homemade milk is filled with almond goodness, proteins, and healthy fats, I don’t have to pump it full of thickeners, starches, gums, flavorings, lecithin, and synthetic vitamins. It’s just plain yummy! (Of course I could also make it with 1/4 cup almonds. Or just 9 almonds like some brands.)
- Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk – 14 almonds
INGREDIENTS: Almond Milk (filtered water, almonds), calcium carbonate, sea salt, potassium citrate, sunflower lecithin, Gellan Gum, Natural Flavors, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2 and D-Alpha-Tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E). - Silk Almond Milk Original Unsweetened – 9 almonds
INGREDIENTS: Almondmilk (Filtered Water, Almonds), Sea Salt, Locust Bean Gum, Sunflower Lecithin, Gellan Gum, Natural Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2. - Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Milk – 10 almonds
INGREDIENTS: Almond milk (Water, Almonds). Contains Less Than 2% Of The Following: Vitamin/ Mineral Blend (Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin D2, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2, Zinc), Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Potassium Citrate, Natural Flavors, Locust Bean Gum, Gellan Gum - Pacific Organic Almond Bev. Original Unsweetened – 9 almonds
INGREDIENTS: Almond Base (Water, Almonds), Rice Starch, Sea Salt, Vanilla, Natural Flavor, Carrageenan, Riboflavin (B2), Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2.
These numbers clearly indicate there’s a problem. It should come as no surprise that Blue Diamond and Almond Breeze are fighting a class action lawsuit in New York claiming false advertising, since their “almond milk” contains only 2% almonds. A better name for these commercial brands might be “Almond flavored water”. My analysis here is based on the accepted nutrients in almonds and the reported nutrition labels. There are plenty of other ways to count, and mine is an estimate at best. Undisclosed ingredients (anything less than 0.5 grams per serving) are not included in the study because we don’t know what they are.
So next time you’re in the grocery store passing the alternative milk shelves – just have a little chuckle and move on. To make the most nutritious homemade Almond Milk, all you need is any blender or a food processor and two minutes. Click here for the easy recipe: My Nut Milk Experiment – Which is Best? If you like flavored nut milks, Ooooh! Don’t miss my post Spike Your Nut Milks! – with superfoods of course!
Thanks for listening. Enjoy your food. And best wishes for your delicious health!
26 Replies to "Are There Any Almonds in Your Almond Milk?"
Gina April 4, 2025 (8:47 am)
I guess my big question is what equals 15%? I want to use almond “milk” to make l-reuteri yogurt. The requirement is 15% nut to water.
I currently use Blue Diamond milk. I know I’ll need a “starter” for plant-based yogurt, but this body doesn’t tolerate dairy any more.
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:47 am)
Your starter milk for non-dairy yogurt can be any non-dairy milk. Jane
Sherry October 23, 2024 (5:50 am)
I have read that the almond peel have some negative effects. It is suggested to combine both peeled and unpeeled almond to get full benefits of the nut. Always soak or blanch.
Jane Barthelemy February 23, 2025 (1:12 am)
Hi Sherry, Yes, I notice in in my body that unsoaked almonds with skins are somewhat more challenging to digest. That’s an interesting idea. Pass it on! Thanks, Jane
Ken May 12, 2023 (2:00 pm)
The fact that it takes more than 3 gallons of water to grow a single almond gives me pause. In a time of serious water shortage in California, it might be best if we foreswore almonds altogether.
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:34 am)
Yes, Ken. You are free. You can make yogurt with cashew milk, barley, Brazil nuts, wheat, buckwheat, or anything you want.
Donna Martin August 21, 2022 (11:02 pm)
I used a Vita Mix to make almond milk. After blanching the almonds, blending, straining, seems like it took forever! How do you do it so fast?
Jane Barthelemy August 26, 2022 (10:30 pm)
Hi Donna,
You’re so right, it takes a long time with almonds. I’m still looking for a faster way! Any suggestions? Best wishes for your delicious health! Jane
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:43 am)
Yes, I agree with you. That’s why I take the time to just use homemade milks only.
Matt August 17, 2022 (8:41 am)
Better to use store bought and cut down on almond consumption for environmental reasons.
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:43 am)
Yes, I agree with you. That’s why I just use homemade milks only.
Nancy October 28, 2021 (7:01 pm)
How about Elmhurst almond milk? Is this a good one?
Jane Barthelemy November 17, 2021 (1:17 am)
Hi Nancy, Thanks for your comment. I don’t know about Elmhurst almond milk, so I can’t say anything about it. I’m a homemade girl. I’ve never seen a packaged store-bought almond milk that’s better than homemade almond milk. There’s just no comparison. Maybe I’m hopelessly BIASED. Thank you again and best wishes for your delicious health! Jane
J October 15, 2022 (6:01 pm)
The quantities of almonds above are misleading, represented incorrectly. Commercial milk you state (2 cups) and yet say “Carton” which is 4 x this, “9-14/” is actually 36-56 almonds per carton (64oz).
To really promote the sustainability and independence of homecraft enterprises lets be clear. And yes omg all the milk fillers, extenders… “Synthetic” we need a chart to see, remind us the ill effects of these. End the poison food monopoly.
Jane Barthelemy October 16, 2022 (2:28 am)
Hello J Herbie! Thank you for your comments. Yes, there’s no comparison between commercial almond milk and homemade. So sorry! To be honest, I can’t remember how I computed this back in 2015. Yes, I do understand the difference between 2 cups and 4 cups. At the time I was aghast to find the difference in protein content, and perhaps I based my calculations from that. But sadly, those research notes are long gone. Please accept my apologies. It may be a little off, but the point doesn’t change. If you have a better set of numbers, oh PLEASE send it to me, and we’ll all be overjoyed. One thing for sure, we won’t get it from the almond milk producers. Ha Ha! Best wishes always for your delicious health! Jane
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:36 am)
I don’t know. What’s your favorite flavor?
Notrocketscience. September 8, 2021 (9:59 pm)
Jeeze, Louise, 14c for TWO cups of water is 7 almonds per cup.
Further comment withheld.
Michele July 20, 2021 (1:20 pm)
The most almonds I ever use are 1 cup of almonds for 4 cups, but I like to try to keep with 1/2 cup almonds per 4 cups water. It still tastes great and is easier on the pocketbook. I sometimes like to add 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum (for thicker creaminess) and throw in about 7 small-to-medium (Halawi) dates for 4 cups. I love to just drink it straight, and sometimes like to add cocao powder and a bit of honey for “chocolate milk.”
Jane Barthelemy July 23, 2021 (6:38 am)
Sounds yummy!!!
Laura Leivick October 11, 2021 (8:40 pm)
Please post your recipe for almond milk!
Gina July 3, 2025 (6:05 pm)
My question is: to make yogurt the “milk” must be 15% almonds, so how does one increase the 2% to 15%? What would you add?
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:28 am)
You can make your almond milk as rich, thick, or as high a percentage of almonds as you like. My recipe is about 15% almond solids and 85
% water. What’s your preference? To make it thinner, add more water. To make thicker – add more almonds.
If you are making almond yogurt, make it relatively thick. Jane
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:40 am)
Yes, I agree with you. That’s why I just use homemade milks only.
Mallik Kovuri May 21, 2021 (6:11 am)
I don’t get the numbers though. If that company is using 14 almonds for 2 cups of water, that’s about 28 almonds for 2 cups or 1 litre. This makes it 28% not 2%. I am not supporting the commercial one but just have this question. I saw someone sending me ingredients for another brand here in India which quotes 4%. And I was wondering would this mean they use only about 4 almonds for 1 liter of water. Doesn’t sound right even if they were low. I for myself have masking almond milk at hone for over 3 years now.
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:39 am)
Yes, I agree with you. That’s why I just use homemade milks only.
Jane Barthelemy July 4, 2025 (3:44 am)
Yes, I agree with you. That’s why I just use homemade milks only.