About a year or two ago, my husband and I decided to try and replace some of the traditional milk and dairy products that we use with non animal based product. Why? Mainly because we are trying to reduce our overall consumption of animal products to help lessen our carbon footprint. We can’t seem to give up dairy completely but have found a number of easy ways to include non dairy milks into our daily diet. I was recently sent some Blue Diamond Almond Breeze to try and was excited to see how their new coconut blend compared to the products I have tried in the past. If you are not familiar with Blue Diamond Almond Breeze, here is some information about them:
No one knows almonds as well as we do and no one knows how to grow them better than the 3,000 California almond growers who make up the Blue Diamond® Growers cooperative. We’re The Almond People™, after all, and almonds have been our only business for 100 years. Many of our growers have been co-op members for generations, so there’s a lot of family pride in each carton of Almond Breeze®.
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze comes in several different flavors. You can choose Original, Vanilla, or Chocolate in both sweetened or unsweetened varieties. You can also try their new Almond and Coconut blend, which is the type I received for review. The thing I love about Almond Breeze is that it comes in a refrigerated container but you can also choose to buy it in the shelf stable Tetra Pak. Varieties of Almond Breeze that are packaged in shelf-stable Tetra Pak cartons do not need to be refrigerated until opened. It is ultra pasteurized (a high temperature heat treatment) to ensure it is free from harmful bacteria. Then it is packaged in sealed sterile cartons with a special barrier layer that keeps out light, moisture and air. It is great to be able to store this in the pantry to pull out whenever I need a dairy alternative in my recipes! And the Tetra-Pak is actually much more environmentally friendly compared to traditional packaging methods.
Almond Breeze is a nondairy milk alternative that is calcium-enriched and free of dairy, lactose, gluten, and soy. It is a great alternative for those with lactose intolerance, dairy allergies, or people who just want to reduce their consumption of animal based products. There are a lot of ways we use almond milk in my house including smoothies, pour over cereal, as a replacement for traditional milk in a cream based soup, or in place of water when we make rice. If you need ideas on how to incorporate Almond Breeze into your diet, check out the Blue Diamond recipe page!
Almond Breeze Almond Coconut Milk
My Opinion: I received both the sweetened and unsweetened varieties of Almond Coconut Breeze to try out. It has a very nutty flavor, more so (I think) than other almond milks I have tried. The coconut is barely a hint of flavor so it does not overpower the drink or anything else you use it in. I really like that the sweetened variety is only lightly sweet. I definitely preferred the lightly sweet Almond Coconut as a ‘straight from the glass’ beverage but I enjoyed both in my smoothies and my morning coffee. We used the unsweetened Almond Coconut to make some black rice for dinner and it really gave it a nice creaminess and flavor. I will admit, straight from the carton is not our favorite way to use almond milk but we have no problems putting it in smoothies or finding any number of other creative uses for it!
If you are considering switching to a non dairy milk, I really recommend Almond Breeze. I found it easy to incorporate into my family’s diet. I am impressed with the Tetra-Pak packaging and like that this is such a nutritious addition to our meals.
BUY IT:
WIN IT:
I have been given me permission to give threeof my readers a coupon for a free Almond Breeze container. This is a Rafflecopter giveaway. This contest ends at midnight EST on August 18th, 2012. This is a Rafflecopter giveaway…just follow the directions in the form below!
Disclaimer: I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms Meet SM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms Meet SM blogger, I agreed to use this product and post my opinion on my blog. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of May Media Group LLC or the manufacturer of the product. In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials.”: I received product samples in exchange for my honest review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Some of the links in this post may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.
By entering this giveaway, you release this blog and it’s owner from any liability whatsoever, and waive any and all causes of action, related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the giveaway or delivery, mis-delivery or acceptance of any prize.
I learned that Almond Breeze is kosher.
1/3 calories of milk =)
i learned that they make coconut almond milk! i would really love to try that! my boyfriend is lactose intolerant, so we don’t buy milk.
I learned that they have been in the almond business for 100 years! We actually just started drinking this last month, I like it much better than soy.
I learned that they make unsweetened varieties. love that.
I learned that Almond Breeze Shelf Stable.
Almond milk should be used within 7 days of opening. Good to know since I buy it .
It has less than 1/3 the cals or milk!
I learned that “Almond Breeze can be used in just about any recipe calling for traditional cow’s milk.”
sparmeland(at)optonline(dot)net
I learned that it can be used to make ice cream and it’s healthier than cow’s milk.
I learned that it has less than a 1/3 the calories of milk
I was able to print a coupon
I learned that UNOPENED SHELF STABLE Almond Breeze can be stored in your pantry unrefrigerated up until the “Best Before” date printed on top of the carton.
Once opened, SHELF STABLE Almond Breeze® must be refrigerated or it will spoil.
Such a yummy alternative for those of us who can’t have dairy!
I regularly buy Almond Breeze. I love that it’s rich in calcium as well as lactose free.
The coconut among blend comes in original and vanilla! I figured it was just mildly coconut-y! I’d love to try the vanilla unsweetened, YUM!
I learned that almond milk can be used in most recipes, in place of cows milk
I learned that it has less than a third of the calories of cows milk.
I love almond milk in smoothies. The fact that it has fewer calories is a major plus!
I learned that almonds can reduce your cholesterol.
I learned that they have recipes on the website.
I learned that it has less than 1/3 the calories of milk.
I learned that it cannot be frozen.
It is lactose free.
tarter95 athotmaildot com
i learned that it is kosher,awesome!!!!
I learned they have recipes, including a smoothie made with Dole pineapple. Yummy!
I learned that this has 1/3 less calories and is lactose free.