Pea milk facts for kids
 |
|||||||
| 70 kcal (293 kJ) | |||||||
|
|||||||
Pea milk is a type of plant milk. It's made from protein taken out of yellow peas. It also has water, sunflower oil, and extra micronutrients like vitamins and minerals added to make it healthier. Sometimes, thickeners are added to make it creamy.
You can find pea milk in different flavors like plain, sweet, vanilla, and chocolate. Many people choose pea milk because it's good for the planet. It uses less water than almond milk. It's also a great choice if you can't drink soy milk or have a soy allergy. Plain pea milk is usually off-white and has a creamy, thick feel. Unsweetened pea milk can taste a bit like peas.
Contents
How Pea Milk Started
Pea milk first appeared in stores in the UK, brought by a brand called Mighty Society. In Australia, it was introduced by Freedom Foods Group. In the US, a company called Ripple launched it in Whole Foods Markets in 2015. By 2018, you could find pea milk in over 10,000 stores across the US. A big company called Nestlé also started selling its own pea milk, called Wunda, in 2021.
How Pea Milk is Made
Plant milks are made by crushing the plant and taking out the liquid. For pea milk, yellow split peas are soaked and then blended with water.
Pea milks often have extra nutrients added during making. This can include vitamins like vitamin D2 and vitamin B12. Scientists are also looking into how fermenting (a process like making yogurt) plant-based milks can make them taste better. It can also increase their levels of B vitamins and protein.
What's Inside Pea Milk
Pea milk has many good things for your body. A common serving (about one cup) of unsweetened pea milk has about 70 calories. It also contains 4.5 grams of fat from oils like sunflower oil.
It's a good source of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and iron. Depending on the brand, pea milk might also have other added micronutrients. These can include vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and calcium. Some types of pea milk even contain algal oil, which has healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Other Ways to Use Pea Protein
The protein from peas can be used in other ways too. It can be added to infant formula for babies. Also, pea protein powders are sold for people who want more protein in their diet.
Pea Milk and the Environment
Many people are interested in pea milk because it's seen as a good choice for the environment. It uses much less water to produce than other milks. For example, it needs 100 times less water than almond milk and 25 times less water than dairy milk.
Growing pea crops also helps the soil by adding nitrogen. This means they don't need as much extra water or nitrogen fertilizers. Overall, making pea milk creates fewer greenhouse gases compared to making dairy milk.
