Almond milk is having a moment. This creamy, dairy-free beverage has surged in popularity, raking in over $1.8 billion in U.S. sales in 2021 alone according to Statista. And it‘s no wonder—almond milk is delicious, nutritious, and a great option for those avoiding dairy.
If you‘re an almond milk fan, you may be wondering—what are my options at Aldi? The budget grocery chain is known for its curated selection and rock-bottom prices, but does that extend to non-dairy alternatives?
I dug in to get the full scoop on Aldi‘s almond milk offerings. From nutrition facts to price comparisons to real-world performance tests, here‘s everything you need to know as a savvy shopper.
Aldi Almond Milk Varieties and Nutrition
Despite Aldi‘s smaller footprint, their almond milk assortment is robust. You‘ll find six core varieties under Aldi‘s private label Friendly Farms brand:
| Variety | Calories (per cup) | Added Sugar | Price (64 oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original (Unsweetened) | 30 | 0g | $1.79 |
| Unsweetened Vanilla | 30 | 0g | $1.79 |
| Sweetened Original | 60 | 7g | $1.79 |
| Sweetened Vanilla | 80 | 12g | $1.79 |
| Chocolate | 100 | 16g | $1.79 |
| Simply Nature Organic (Unsweetened) | 30 | 0g | $2.45 |
A few key things stand out looking at Aldi‘s almond milk nutrition:
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Solid options for sugar avoiders: Four out of the six varieties have zero added sugar. The unsweetened original clocks in at just 30 calories per serving.
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But beware of the sweet stuff: The three sweetened flavors pack up to 4 teaspoons of added sugar per cup. Fine as a treat, but not an everyday beverage for those watching sugar intake.
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Calcium and vitamin D for days: All Aldi almond milks are enriched with 50% of the daily value for bone-building calcium and vitamin D.
How does this stack up to major national almond milk brands? Let‘s look at their unsweetened original versions:
| Brand | Calories (per cup) | Added Sugar | Calcium | Vitamin D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aldi Friendly Farms | 30 | 0g | 50% DV | 50% DV |
| Silk | 30 | 0g | 45% DV | 25% DV |
| Almond Breeze | 30 | 0g | 45% DV | 25% DV |
| Califia Farms | 35 | 0g | 45% DV | 25% DV |
Aldi almond milk goes toe-to-toe with big brands on calories and sugar while packing in more calcium and vitamin D. A strong showing!
Price Check: How Does Aldi Stack Up?
Of course, nutrition is just one factor—price matters too. At just $1.79 for a half gallon (64 fl oz) of most varieties, Aldi undercuts even budget-friendly store brands:
- Walmart: Great Value Original Unsweetened – $1.86 for 64 fl oz ($0.029/oz)
- Kroger: Simple Truth Original Unsweetened – $2.49 for 64 fl oz ($0.039/oz)
- Target: Good & Gather Original Unsweetened – $2.49 for 64 fl oz ($0.039/oz)
Ounce for ounce, Aldi almond milk costs about 5-30% less than comparable store brands. The savings are even more striking compared to national names:
| Brand | Price (64 fl oz) | Price per oz |
|---|---|---|
| Aldi Friendly Farms | $1.79 | $0.028 |
| Silk | $2.78 | $0.043 |
| Almond Breeze | $2.97 | $0.046 |
| Califia Farms | $5.69 | $0.089 |
Yep, you read that right—Califia Farms rings in at nearly triple the price of Aldi! Even Aldi‘s pricier Simply Nature Organic Unsweetened ($2.45 for 64 oz) looks like a steal next to Whole Foods‘ 365 Organic Unsweetened at $3.99.
What does all this add up to? Let‘s say a family of four goes through two gallons of almond milk per week. Buying Friendly Farms versus Silk would save them about $103 per year. Not too shabby!
Ingredient Check: What‘s Really in Aldi Almond Milk?
If you‘re an ingredient-savvy shopper, you know that "natural" doesn‘t necessarily mean "healthy." So what‘s really in Aldi almond milk?
The good news: All Aldi almond milks are carrageenan-free. This thickening agent has been linked to potential GI distress, so its absence is a big plus. Aldi uses gellan gum instead, which is generally recognized as safe.
The not-so-good news: Like most commercial almond milk, Aldi‘s contains only about 2% almonds. The rest of the ingredients are water, added vitamins and minerals, and stabilizers/emulsifiers like locust bean gum and sunflower lecithin. In other words, this isn‘t health food.
That said, Aldi‘s ingredients are on par with big brands. And their organic Simply Nature variety is certified by Oregon Tilth, a top USDA-accredited certifying agency. So you can trust it‘s the real deal.
Taste, Texture, and Performance
We‘ve covered nutrition, price, and ingredients—but none of that matters if Aldi almond milk doesn‘t measure up in taste and recipe performance. Time to put it to the test!
Taste Test
I recruited a panel of almond milk lovers to do a blind tasting of Aldi‘s unsweetened original Friendly Farms almond milk versus Silk and Almond Breeze. The verdict?
Aldi Friendly Farms was the panel favorite! Tasters praised its "clean, nutty flavor" and "super creamy consistency." One even said, "I‘d never guess this was a store brand."
Silk came in second with a slightly sweeter but still pleasant flavor. Almond Breeze trailed the pack, with some tasters finding it a bit thin and watery.
Recipe Tests
Of course, almond milk isn‘t just for sipping. To see how Aldi almond milk performs in common uses, I put it through its paces in the Queries & Conjectures test kitchen.
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Smoothies: Blended into our go-to green smoothie, Aldi‘s unsweetened original almond milk yielded a luxuriously creamy beverage. The nutty flavor complemented the banana and peanut butter beautifully.
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Coffee: I know what you‘re wondering: does it curdle? Thankfully, no! When steamed, Friendly Farms almond milk frothed up just as well as barista-favorite Califia Farms. And not a clump to be seen when stirred into hot coffee.
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Cooking & Baking: Aldi almond milk seamlessly subbed into bechamel sauce and quick breads. The unsweetened variety is ideal for savory recipes—in mac and cheese, my tasters couldn‘t detect it at all.
From cereal to lattes to muffins, Aldi almond milk is a champ. I‘ll be keeping my fridge stocked!
The Big Picture: Aldi and the Booming Alt-Milk Market
Aldi‘s robust almond milk lineup isn‘t just a fluke—it‘s a strategic play to cash in on the moo-ve away from dairy. In the past five years, plant-based milk sales have shot up 61% according to the Plant Based Foods Association. Meanwhile, cow‘s milk consumption has been falling steadily since the 1970s.
Almond milk commands 63% of the alt-milk market, but it‘s getting crowded as more options crop up. Oat milk is surging, seeing 44% sales growth in 2021 per SPINS data. Pea, hemp, and potato milks (yep, that‘s a thing) are also elbowing for shelf space.
Aldi is wise to ride the alt-milk wave, but they‘re not alone. Competitor Trader Joe‘s now stocks 14 alt-milks, from coconut to cashew. Kroger has even launched an "emerging beverage" micro-fulfillment center to keep pace with demand.
To stay ahead, Aldi will need to keep diversifying its alt-milk assortment while maintaining that unbeatable combo of quality and value. Luckily, Aldi has form in this arena. The retailer‘s soy milk led the pack in a 2021 Wirecutter taste test, with their chocolate variety also earning high marks.
As a one-stop shop for affordable, plant-based essentials, Aldi is well-positioned to keep winning with the lactose-avoidant crowd. But as the dairy-free segment gets more saturated, ingredients and ethical sourcing may be the next frontier.
The Bottom Line
So what‘s the verdict on Aldi almond milk? As a discerning alt-milk drinker and veteran Aldi shopper, I give Friendly Farms and Simply Nature high marks across the board:
Pros:
- Top-notch taste and texture
- Unbeatable value
- Strong nutritional profile
- Carrageenan-free
- Organic options
Cons:
- Limited transparency on ingredient sourcing
- Some may prefer more whole food ingredients
- No high-protein or barista-style varieties (yet)
If you‘re looking for an affordable, delicious everyday almond milk, Aldi‘s is the hands-down winner in my book. It goes toe-to-toe with premium brands on taste and nutrition at a fraction of the price. And with six varieties including organic, there‘s something for every diet and palate.
As Aldi continues to lean into wellness trends and clean ingredients, I‘m hopeful we‘ll see even more transparency and innovation in their alt-milk offerings. Dare I request an Aldi oat milk? Pretty please?
For now, I‘ll be happily sipping on Friendly Farms. With all the money I‘m saving, I might just have to treat myself to an upgraded latte setup.
Your mileage may vary, but one things for sure: Aldi is showing the big alt-milk brands how to pack a creamy, dreamy punch without draining shoppers‘ wallets. And that‘s udderly awesome.
