Almond milk, once a niche product, is now a staple in many US households. Despite its modern popularity, the drink has roots stretching back over a millennium. The earliest known recipe appears in a ninth-century Islamic text, The Golden Treatise, where it was valued for its shelf stability compared to dairy milk. By the 1200s, it had spread to Europe, even serving as a dairy substitute during religious fasting periods.
Today, almond milk dominates the dairy alternative market, but that also means overwhelming choice. To cut through the noise, we blind-tested 11 widely available brands, seeking the best balance of texture, flavor, and versatility.
What Makes a Great Almond Milk?
The ideal almond milk should mimic dairy in richness and mouthfeel, not just be water with ground almonds. We looked for a thick body, subtle sweetness, and no chalky or gritty texture. The flavor should be naturally nutty, working well in coffee, cereal, or cooking without overpowering.
The Top Performers
After rigorous testing, three brands stood out:
- Overall Winner: Good & Gather Unsweetened Original Almond Milk (Target) This almond milk was praised for its remarkably creamy texture, closely resembling whole milk. Testers noted its balanced flavor, making it the most versatile option for various uses.
- Runner-Up: MALK Organic Unsweetened Almond Milk This choice was the most authentically almond-flavored, though opinions were divided. Some tasters loved its natural nuttiness, while others found it slightly stale. It’s a great option for those who prefer a strong almond taste.
- Best for Coffee: Nature’s Promise Plant-Based Original Almond Milk (Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Giant Food) This milk is noticeably sweeter than the others, making it ideal for those who usually add sugar to their coffee. While some found it too sweet, it offers a convenient all-in-one solution for sweetening and creaming.
Ingredient Impact: Why Some Milks Excel
The differences between these milks come down to ingredients. Good & Gather achieves its creamy texture through stabilizers like gellan gum, xanthan gum, and sunflower lecithin. MALK, with just water, almonds, and salt, delivers a pure, but potentially less consistent, flavor. Nature’s Promise leans heavily on cane sugar for sweetness.
The choice depends on how you plan to use it. If you want a dairy-like experience for coffee or cooking, Good & Gather is the most reliable. For a bold almond flavor, MALK is worth exploring. And for an instant coffee sweetener, Nature’s Promise delivers.
Ultimately, the best almond milk is the one that fits your needs. Testing methodology involved blind tasting by multiple panelists, with no prior knowledge of brands to ensure impartiality. The results reflect real-world preferences, not marketing hype.
