Pecan Milk Is Here, and This Alternative Milk Helps Support Local Farmers

A new plant-based milk brand called THIS PKN just debuted this month to take on the ever-expanding alternative milk market. THIS PKN’s product differs from most nut-based milk companies because its product is designed to taste just like its base: Nuts, unlike other alternative milks which try to replicate the taste of cow's milk. The alternative milk product is designed to perfectly substitute conventional milk while maintaining a taste similar to pralines and pecan pies. The plant-based milk brand is the newest product from Lifestock – a sustainable company launched by Laura Shenkar to support Texas pecan farmers.

Laura Shenkar founded Lifestock as a campaign to preserve limited freshwater ecosystems in Central Texas, looking at how pecan production could motivate farmers to conserve water. THIS PKN is a byproduct of this partnership, a product that could help to broaden the consumer base and market for pecan production. Most farmers felt constricted by pecan production, typically unable to sell enough pecans to justify increased production. Shenkar’s company hopes to maximize pecan demand to increase pecan production throughout the region.

Shenkar felt inspired to work with pecan farmers after visiting the “World Capital of Pecans” in San Saba, Texas. When working with the local pecan farmers, she learned that pecans significantly help local ecosystems while promoting regenerative agriculture and water sustainability. Shenkar realized that pecan production could both help sustainable farming in central Texas and meet the rising demand for alternative milk.

“We chose to make pecan milk because pecans are the only commercial tree nut indigenous to the US,” Shenkar said in a statement. “Consumers who are looking for a locally sourced, richly flavored, sustainable, and nutritious choice will find it with THIS PKN. We can’t wait to welcome pecan fans and non-dairy consumers alike to join Team PKN.”

Currently, THIS PKN offers two varieties of pecan-based milk with its original and chocolate flavors. The plant-based alternative is available on the company’s website.

The dairy alternative market is experiencing an unprecedented rise as more consumers looking for plant-based alternatives in recent years. A report from Grand View Research projects that the alternative dairy market is slated to reach $52.58 billion by 2028, showing a CAGR of 12.5 percent from 2021 to 2028. While the majority of alternative dairy products are derived from almond, soy, oat, and coconut, several other variations including THIS PKN’s pecan-milk have entered the market.

Innovative alternative dairy brand Ripple Foods also just developed plant-based milk using a proprietary pea protein blend called Rippetin. The company’s pea-based milk gained significant traction before its most recent funding round. The company announced that it secured $60 million during its Series E funding round, signifying the potential for alternative dairy proteins using a variety of other innovative methods and bases. Currently, the company offers several pea-based protein products from milk to ice cream with plans to continue expanding.

Another plant-based dairy company sources its products from an even more unlikely candidate: potatoes. The Swedish Brand DUG released its potato-based milk earlier this year, boasting an enhanced nutritional content complete with B12 vitamins. DUG’s innovative product is marketed to espresso lovers, claiming that its potato and pea protein product foams similar to animal-based milk.

Califia Farms Almond Creamer is made with real almonds and coconut cream to give a rich, full-flavored texture and has 2 grams of added sugar. The consistency is so thick it’s more like a heavy cream rather than a creamer substitute. Regardless, it froths up well and is very creamy. The almond taste is noticeable but the creamer isn’t bitter or grainy. You don’t need to use a lot of it; a little goes a long way!

Silk Original Dairy-Free Original Soy Creamer has only 1 gram of added sugar, but sadly it does not froth up well when I heated it due to a thinner, more watery consistency. It didn't combine well with coffee, no matter how much was added. Because of the underwhelming flavor, this was my least favorite.

This Natural Bliss Coconut Milk Creamer/Sweet Cream is the best one I’ve found for both frothing and taste, especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half-and-half. It’s creamy and has a hint of coconut, but no overwhelming coconut flavor. Note: it is made with pea protein, unlike the other ones, which is probably why it’s thicker. Always check ingredients if you have food allergies because unexpected ingredients such as peas can be hiding in the product, and you would never know by the taste.

So Delicious has been marketing dairy-free frozen desserts, yogurt alternatives, and smooth plant-based beverages for over 30 years. Besides the coconut milk, they also have “Original,” “Snickerdoodle.” “Caramel” and “Creamy Vanilla” flavors. I only sampled the coconut milk flavor. This is the only one in this taste test with 0 grams of added sugar. It has a very rich coconut taste and froths up nicely in coffee like milk. It’s not as thick as some of the others but is a good alternative to ultra-sweet creamers if you want to be careful about your sugar intake. The coconut flavor is powerful but not overwhelming.

Natural Bliss Oat Milk Creamer, Vanilla Natural Flavor, with 4 grams added sugar is similar to Coffee Mate’s Coconut creamer but without the coconut flavor. It’s super-rich and creamy with a hint of oat flavor but not bitter at all. My new favorite! This is the best one I’ve found for frothing and taste especially if you miss the consistency and flavor of half and half. It’s like the real thing as it’s creamy, fluffy and not grainy. Remember to shake it up before putting in your frother. Use a little and be happy with your non-dairy latte!

The Original Oat-Ly Oat Milk Barista Edition contains 4 grams of sugar but its full-flavored taste makes it a rich choice. It doesn’t market itself as a creamer but it does advertise as the choice for the barista community. It’s slightly less frothy than real milk when mixed but the flavor is pleasant, not bitter, and I would choose it again.

Silk Oat Yeah Oat Milk Creamer, the Vanilla One has 4 grams of added sugar and is also at the top of my list. While it’s sweet, it’s also incredibly rich which means you can use less of it in your coffee. It was thick and creamy when frothed and it adds a fluffy cap to your coffee as lattes make with real cream. Note that pea protein is an added ingredient in this creamer as well. This can rival the real thing but choose this one only if you like a strong vanilla aftertaste!

The Silk Almond Creamer Vanilla boasts that it’s “America’s #1 Almond Creamer. But with 4 grams added sugar you may want to use it sparingly. It did taste sweet and was nice and thick, so someone who likes rich creamers will love it. The vanilla aftertaste was pretty strong. And it's a little too syrupy sweet for my taste.

Nutpods is the closest you'll get to the real thing! Tasters immediately gave this dairy-free creamer a 5 out 5. The texture is smooth and mixes with coffee instantly. Unlike soy creamers, this almond and coconut-based creamer doesn't separate once your done stirring. Nut Pods is the most comparable to half and half in the whole list of creamers!

Forager is cashew milk and coconut cream based that mixes for a unique and flavorful taste. The consistency was on the thinner side, and if you're a heavy cream or half-and-half devotee this is probably not the creamer for you, although those who like a lighter flavor will enjoy it.

This creamer is rich, round and doesn't taste too overtly of coconut. You only need a splash to achieve a nice, creamy effect in your coffee, and there's no watered-down consistency, so if you swear by heavy cream or half & half, give this Trader Joe's option a try! At only $1.69 per carton, this product is a steal.

The thickest consistency of the bunch, resembling a heavy cream rather than half and half. Malk has only 5 ingredients, making it super clean and healthy! The almond flavor might be overpowering to those who like less flavor in their creamer. Add the Maple Pecan flavor to your coffee for an even sweeter taste.