Pistachio milk - a better plant milk alternative or not

Have you ever heard of pistachio milk? It's not a common plant milk, but with the growing popularity of plant-based milks, it's not surprising that even tasty pistachios are joining the race.

Pistachio milk, derived from the delightful pistachios originating in Iran, is well-known for its rich, salty, and creamy flavor profile. In India, pistachios are known as "Pista" and are commonly given as a gift during Diwali, along with other dry fruits such as cashews and almonds. Pistachios are beneficial for weight loss due to their high thermic effect. Pistachio milk remains a relatively new concept in the eastern world.

Pistachio Milk nutritional profile

Pistachio milk contains around 1.83% of protein, 3.97% of lipids and higher carbohydrates (5.43%). It contains a good amount of essential amino acids along with 9.08 mg/100 mL of GABA responsible for mood regulation. It also contains a good amount of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. A plant beverage with a high amount of potassium can be very appealing, especially for athletes. Potassium is an important electrolyte that controls normal cell function and muscle movements.

You can make pistachio milk at home by grinding pistachios, adding water, and then straining the mixture. Táche (which sounds familiar to French " pistache") is a popular brand that also offers pistachio milk known as barista pistachio milk and coffee-based products such as pistachio milk latte. But if I were asked, I would definitely prefer the homemade version, and I will tell you why.

Store-bought vs homemade pistachio milk

Have you ever wondered why only three brands that are Táche, Elmhurst, and Three Trees are making pistachio milk/beverage? Because of its low shelf-life, supply chain issues, and competitive pricing. They are also less healthy when compared to homemade pistachio milk due to the following reasons - 

a.) Additives

As plant milk solids tend to separate after a while, brands use emulsifiers such as dipotassium phosphate to make the plant milk or plant beverage emulsion stable, imagine loading this much of additives in your body daily. It's a major concern for children as EFSA has also mentioned that it can affect kidney function. 

Source - Táche 

Although tricalcium phosphate is added as a calcium supplement it can be a health risk to people with kidney disease. 

b.) High price

Did you know that many brands are charging a hefty $54 for just 32 ounces of pistachio milk? Sounds crazy, right? But here's the twist - you can actually make the same amount of delicious pistachio milk right in your own kitchen for way less than half that price! If you calculate the cost of 1 cup of pistachios at 0.5 USD and consider that the rest of the ingredients are just water and a pinch of salt, you'll see the incredible savings. 

c.) Supply chain issues of pistachios

Major exporter of pistachios worldwide is Iran and after pandemic the logistics have hit the lowest from previous years. Another major issue is Aflatoxin toxicity from iranian pistachio. It is due to lack of modern technology inclusion in supply chain management.

"Now, some of you might say, "I don't have time to make pistachio milk at home." For occasional drinkers, it's okay to buy packaged pistachio milk. However, for daily consumers, I would recommend making it at home. This approach is healthier and more holistic, considering environmental issues related to the supply chain and packaging."