Almond Milk vs Cashew Milk: Which Is Better?

In this article, we are going to compare almond milk and cashew milk to see how they compare in many aspects including calories, nutritional content, taste, usage, effects on weight loss, and environment.

To make this comparison as fair as possible and get a realistic picture of how almond and cashew milk compare, we’ve used USDA’s date on products that are unsweetened and that aren’t fortified or that are minimally fortified if the completely unfortified product isn’t available.

Both almond and cashew milk are dairy-free, and therefore suitable for vegans and people that stick to a plant-based diet for a variety of reasons, but there are also many differences between these plant-based drinks.

Let’s see what almond and cashew drinks are, how they are produced, and finally how they compare in various ways.

What is Almond Milk and How It’s Made?

Almond milk is a nut-based beverage that is becoming more and more popular day by day.

The reason behind the popularity of almond milk is that in addition to its light taste, it can also contain a nutritional composition that may be beneficial for you.

Almond milk is actually the best-selling non-dairy milk in the United States, followed by oat and soy milk.

Since almond milk isn’t a dairy product, it doesn’t contain any lactose. As a consequence of this, it is an excellent alternative for those who are unable to digest lactose.

Almond milk consists of two ingredients: water and almonds. Store-bought products usually contain between 2 and 5% of almonds, but also might contain other ingredients such as salt, stabilizers, and emulsifiers to make them taste better and to extend their shell life.

There are also unsweetened and sweetened variants, as well as products with added flavors such as chocolate or vanilla-flavored almond milk.

Also, almond milk products are usually fortified with vitamins and minerals that are hard to obtain on a plant-based diet, including calcium, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.

What is Cashew Milk and How It’s Made?

The market for substitute milk is growing day by day. This sector, which was formerly dominated by almond, oat, and soy products, now has a range of plant-based milk, which each offers a different taste and unique nutritional advantages.

Cashew milk seems to be an ideal compromise, offering a low-calorie alternative with a creamier texture than most nut milk. It also is packed with minerals, healthy fats, vitamins, and other plant-based elements.

Cashew milk, which is available in sweetened and unsweetened variants, may substitute for cow’s milk in the majority of recipes.

Cashew milk has a range of beneficial lipids, proteins, minerals, and vitamins, including cashews themselves.

This incredibly nutritious beverage gets the majority of its content from unsaturated fatty acids, which are known to improve heart health and give a variety of other advantages.

In comparison to handmade cashew milk, commercial varieties are often enriched with additional minerals and vitamins and they contain greater quantities of certain components overall.

Almond vs Cashew Milk Nutrition and Calories

In this section, we’ll analyze the similarities and differences between almond milk and cashew milk based on nutritional information provided by USDA.

Macronutrients

Plant-based milks mostly consist of water, and almond and cashew milks are no exceptions.

3.5 oz or 100 g of almond milk contains 15 calories, and consists mostly of fat (1.22 g), followed by protein (0.55 g) and carbs (0.34 g).

Speaking of cashew milk, the same amount contains 54 calories, and consists mostly of fat (4.17 g), followed by carbs (2.92 g) and protein (1.67 g).

The table below compares the nutrition of a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) portion of almond milk to the same amount of cashew milk.

Fiber

Fiber is important for our health as it keeps us feeling full, prevents constipation, lowers sugar spikes and regulates sugar levels, lowers total and LDL cholesterol, and provides many other benefits.

When it comes to dietary fiber, almond milk is a better choice. It contains 0.45 g per 3.5oz (100g), while cashew milk is lower in dietary fiber with 0 g.

Micronutrients

What about micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in almond and cashew milk?

The table below shows the most important vitamins and minerals in unfortified or minimally fortified plant-based drinks available in the market. Some of these nutrients are hard to get on a vegan diet.

Weight Loss

If you’re trying to lose weight, you probably want to know whether almond or cashew milk is better for you.

With 54 calories per 3.5 oz (100 g), cashew milk is higher in calories than almond milk which contains 15 calories.

Almond vs Cashew Milk Taste and Uses

Almond milk is a low-carb, nutritionally dense, nut-based milk with a watery consistency. It has a slightly nutty taste and can also be a little sweet, depending on the type and quantity of almonds used while making the milk.

It is to be kept in mind that heating almond milk for a long time or on high heat may turn it bitter.

Almond milk can be used in coffee, hot chocolate, pancakes, French toast, smoothies, and even ice creams. It can also be used in baked items like cookies, bread, cakes, and brownies.

Cashew milk is a nut-based milk alternative similar to almond milk. Cashew milk is a little creamier than almond milk.

Most people prefer cashew milk to almond milk because of its thick consistency and mild taste. It has a subtle nutty flavor that may complement your baked items.

Cashew milk can be used to make creamy smoothies, soups, and pasta sauces. You can use it as a cream alternative with oat milk in a cream-based sauce.

You can add cashew milk to puddings and even use it to make vegan ice cream. Cashew milk with less water can give a cheesy consistency. You can use it for your vegan mac and cheese.

It can be also used as a salad dressing as well. You can add cashew milk to your breakfast cereals and oatmeal.

Conclusion

Almond milk and cashew milk are both plant-based, non-dairy beverages, suitable for vegans.

Almond milk and cashew milk have their similarities and differences, but both are nutritious and a healthful addition to your diet. When available, always choose unsweetened, fortified products or try making them at home.

Plant milks, including almond and cashew milks are easy to add to a diet, and can be used in varieties of recipes and dishes.

Fortified products will help get different nutrients, including micronutrients that are usually hard to get on a plant-based diet, such as vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium and others.

If you’re willing to learn more about these non-dairy milks, read our articles about them: Almond Milk and Cashew Milk.

Other Almond Milk Comparisons

• Almond vs Barley
• Almond vs Coconut
• Almond vs Macadamia
• Almond vs Oat
• Almond vs Pea
• Almond vs Rice
• Almond vs Soy

Other Cashew Milk Comparisons

• Barley Milk vs Cashew Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Coconut Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Macadamia Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Oat Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Pea Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Rice Milk
• Cashew Milk vs Soy Milk