Almond Breeze – Original Unsweetened (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Why do I love this product?  Let me count the reasons…

Actually, after years of mixing Almond Breeze into smoothies and splashing it atop my cereal, I realized that I had taken the actual flavor for granted.  While I knew this was somehow my favorite milk alternative, I had no idea how to describe the actual taste.  In fact, I had never simply sampled the milk all by its lonesome. 

Following this epiphany, I opened a freshly chilled package and poured myself a glass.  It is important to disclaim that I have never sat and drank any kind of “milk” by the glass.  Memories of being beyond sick when told to drink my milk in younger years had engrained a fear of drinking any semi-thick white beverages.  So beyond the almond flair, this was really a new experience for me.  Of course, I knew that I could just sip the beverage, I didn’t really have to drink the whole thing …mentally I needed an out. 

Luckily, it was quite tasty, and none of my traditional gag reflexes set in; quite the opposite really.  Almond breeze has a very pleasant natural almond flavor on a relatively neutral background.  While it was creamy in consistency, it didn’t have the thickness of cow’s milk.  While I don’t really see myself sitting down to a glass of almond milk on a regular occasion, it was really quite good, and I did finish the glass!

Beyond the almond spiked flavor, Almond Breeze really is a versatile beverage.  I buy the unsweetened variety most of the time, as my meals really don’t need any added sugar and it is more versatile for use in both sweet and savory applications.  Honestly, I have yet to find a recipe that didn’t allow me to safely substitute almond milk for cow’s milk on a 1:1 ratio.  Plus, it really is good over cereal and blended into smoothies. 

We switched to almond milk several years ago, as the soymilk we were purchasing gave my husband an upset stomach.  As luck would have it, we both preferred the almond milk to soymilk.  Needless to say, I will remain a loyal customer of Almond Breeze.

My Extra Notes & Tips:

Almond Breeze is produced on dedicated dairy-free equipment, no milk allowed.  It does contain soy lecithin, which is rarely a problem for soy allergies, and obviously nuts.  Nonetheless it is vegan and gluten-free.

The unsweetened variety is amazingly low in calories.  With only 40 calories per serving and 0g of sugar, it is sure to fit in with many special diets.

Almond Breeze is also making unsweetened vanilla and unsweetened chocolate now!  Next on my list for trials…

Where to Purchase: Seriously, this stuff is available everywhere.  The unsweetened can be harder to find than the regular (which is still relatively low in sugars and calories), but every natural food grocer in my area (including Trader Joe’s) carries it.  There is a store locator on the Blue Diamond / Almond Breeze website.  But, you can check the natural food or milk alternatives section of your local major grocer, and some version of Almond Breeze will likely be there.  Keep in mind, this is one of those odd products that is better to buy at “expensive” natural food stores.  Even at regular price, Whole Foods and Wild Oats charge just over $2 for a package of Almond Breeze, but my local Safeway charges over $4!!!