Almond Milk, A History

Almond milk has been toted as a regular in the fitness world.  Dairy is bad!!!!  Almonds are GOOD.  In fact sales of this almond beverage that dares call itself “milk” have skyrocketed in the commercial world.  Big brands like Silk have capitalized on sales in the past few years due to this incumbent trend in the fitness industry.

Last year national sales were up 40 percent, according to Nielson data. Today’s market is worth more than $700 million a year. That’s good news for California, where virtually all the nation’s almonds are grown.

Today’s addiction to milk alternatives like almond milk is reminiscent of Medieval Europe’s fascination to the beverage as well.

History of Almond Milk

Made from ground almonds with water, Almond milk grew in popularity in both the Arab world and later Europe during the medieval period.  Why so popular?  It had several advantages over animal milk during the time period.  First off, it could easily be produced.  What’s the risk of mincing almonds in water and producing milk from it?  Barely any.  What’s the risk of milking a cow, slowly but surely, in large quantities?  Can’t really control how much you get.  Cow gives what a cow can, right?

Secondly, it didn’t spoil as quickly.  In a time where food preservation had not reached a point of refrigeration (imagine fridges in medieval times?), almonds provided a longer lasting source for milk use.

Almonds and Christianity

Almonds saw regular use through interaction with the Arab world during the medieval period.  Eventually growing in popularity, the southern European countries began its cultivation.  What drove its popularity?  Almond milk gave versatile use on fast days, such as Lent, in the Christian tradition.  Europe being largely Christian served to gain greatly from this innovation.

medieval baker almond
Courtesy of Hans Splinter via Flickr. License is CC BY-ND 2.0

Almond milk would soon be extensively be used in almost everything.  In fact, there was a famous Lent dish that was literally called, the white dish that would exemplify almond milk usage.  Called the Blanc Manger this traditional lent dish would literally be made of white foods.

 

Blanc Manger is capons (chicken) mixed with blanched almonds that are ground and mixed with a capon broth.  The almond milk that is produced from this concoction is left in the pot.  Rice is added to the milk.  The cooked capon is fleshed into small pieces.  Then, white grease, sugar, salt, and red/white confectioneries are added.  The dish is topped with fried almonds. 

Almonds even saw use as cheese.  During Lent almond cheese was made as a substitute for regular animal-based cheeses.  Why the fuss?  For the peasantry maybe not, but for refined dining, cheese was a must among the Medieval upper-classes.

Mixing almond milk with pike broth and starch, medieval cooks prepared almond cheese for substitution on fast days such as Lent.  But that’s not all.  From fake ricotta to butter, almond milk would be heavily used as the key substitute for animal dairy in Christian Europe.  Almond butter?  Just mix almond milk with rose water.

Medieval Nutritional Benefits

Now, some of these benefits were a little farce in today’s age of scientific understanding but let’s start with what the folks in good old Medieval Europe thought of the benefits o almond and almond milk.

  1. Almonds were suppose, to when eaten with sugar, increase sperm production
  2. When eaten before a night of alcoholic imbibing, almonds were said to keep someone away from drunkenness
almond milk knighted
Drink almond milk = get knighted.

In a time where progeny were incredibly important (people died a lot) and drunkenness was looked down upon (although not avoided) almond milk was perceived as a magical elixir.  No wonder its consumption was so excessive.

Actual Nutritional benefits of Almond Milk

Since almond milk is derived from almonds (or is it?)  it possesses rich amounts of phosphorus, potassium, as well as zinc.  Moreover, it can be a potential alternative for lactose intolerant individuals.

Kathleen Deegan, a Sacramento State University dietitian, in an interview with Capital Public Radio, pointed out that dairy substitutes are popular among those with these food sensitivities.

 “Probably at least a third of the population can’t tolerate milk products or dairy products,” says Deegan.

Today’s Almond Milk

Commercial almond milk has been controversial in nutritional value in that it doesn’t provide that much nutrition.  You’ll hear slogans of “only 90 calories” per serving and that’s a selling point.  But you might as well drink water, that almond milk from the store is incredibly thin.  Not only is that, but the protein content quite low.  In a world of overly hyped protein intake, that’s not a bad thing.  However, it depends on who uses these milk substitutes.  Purely giving almond milk to young children who are lactose intolerant could significantly reduce the beneficial proteins and Vitamin D intake that these individuals can benefit from.

“I’m not saying that almond milk is bad for you,” says Deegan. “My contention is that many people are choosing almond milk over nonfat milk thinking its healthier, and that is incorrect.” – Kathleen Deegan R.D.

It has less nutritional value than cow’s milk:

Beverage (enriched; original flavour) Calories(kcal) Protein(g) Fat (g) Carbs(g) Sugar (g) Calcium%DV Vitamin D%DV
Cow’s milk (1%)** 108 9 2.5 13 13 30% 45%
Soy 100 7 4 8 4 35% 25%
Hemp 100 4 6 8 6 30% 25%
Oat 130 4 2.5 24 19 35% 25%
Almond 50 1 2.5 6 5 30% 25%
Rice 120 1 2.5 24 10 30% 25%
Potato 70 0 0 20 2 30% 15%
  • Via eatrightontario.ca

Leave it?  OR Keep it? 

milk-almond
Courtesy of Hans Splinter via Flickr. With creative commons (CC BY-ND 2.0)

It depends.  For nutritional value from milk, it sucks.  For someone trying to avoid milk?  Take Lactaid and drink that stuff.  It’s worth it.  Are you looking to control caloric intake but still want something that is still ‘milk’ in your cereal, or other “must have milk” recipe?  Go for it.  Like the taste?  Go for it.  Want to try a medieval recipe from Europe?  We’d shake our heads if you didn’t.  The bottom line is that almond milk is more of a culinary tool than a necessity to greater health and wellness.

Sources

Adamson, Melitta Weiss. Food in Medieval times. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 2004. Print.

Eat Right Ontario. “EatRight Ontario.” EatRight Ontario. EatRight Ontario, n.d. Web. 05 July 2015.

McClurg, Lesley. “Almond Milk Sales Skyrocket, But How Healthy Is It?” Capital Public Radio. N.p., 1 Apr. 2015. Web. 03 July 2015.

Scully, Terence. The Art of Cookery in the Middle Ages. Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK: Boydell, 1995. Print.

Wellness Mama. “How to Make Homemade Organic Almond Milk – Recipe.” Wellness Mama. Wellness Mama, 19 Mar. 2014. Web. 05 July 2015.

 

 

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