Almond milk
Almond milk is a drink made by blending almonds with water and straining the mixture. It is commonly used as an alternative to dairy milk.
Almond: An edible seed of the almond tree, used whole, ground, or pressed for food and oil. Almonds supply the flavor, fat, protein, and solids in the drink.
Dairy-free diet: An eating pattern that excludes milk and other foods derived from dairy animals. Almond milk provides a plant-based drink option within this eating pattern.
Cow's milk: A nutrient-rich liquid produced by the mammary glands of cows and consumed as food. It contains more protein and naturally occurring nutrients than most almond milk.
Almond production in California: The large-scale cultivation of almonds in California, the leading almond-producing region. Most globally traded almonds come from California, tying the drink to its agricultural practices.
Food processing: The methods used to transform raw ingredients into foods and beverages. Blending, straining, and heat treatment shape almond milk's form and shelf life.
Lactose intolerance: A condition in which insufficient lactase causes digestive symptoms after lactose consumption. Almond milk contains no lactose and can replace dairy milk for affected people.
Soy milk: A plant-based beverage made by soaking and grinding soybeans with water. Soy milk generally provides substantially more protein than almond milk.
Managed honey bees: Domesticated honey bee colonies kept and transported for pollination and honey production. Almond orchards rely heavily on rented colonies brought in for seasonal pollination.
Homogenization: A process that reduces and evenly disperses particles or droplets in a mixture. Commercial products use it to slow separation of almond particles and water.
Veganism: A way of living that avoids animal products, including in food where practicable. Almond milk is plant-derived and fits many vegan diets.