Where does almond milk come from?
By
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro (PhD)
| Reviewed by
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.
Author bio
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro PhD is a Chemist with expertise in Food Technology, extraction of essential oils from food sources, organocatalysis, extraction by supercritical CO2 and organic chemistry. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro’s Highlights:
- PIPE-FAPESP Project Coordinator for the company Bioativos Naturais Ltda involving the extraction of essential oils from food sources, with supercritical CO2.
- PhD in Chemistry with research in supercritical fluid reactivity.
- Bachelor of Environmental Chemistry at University of São Paulo State (UNESP)/Brazil
Professional Experience:
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro’s Experience:
Dr Rafael coordinated a PIPE-FAPESP Project (Company Research and Innovation Project) for the company Bioativos Naturais Ltda, involving the extraction of essential oils with supercritical CO2 from food sources such as turmeric, ginger, hops, orange bagasse, pepper rose, cupuaçu pie, among others.
Dr Rafael has worked on a project, involving studies of the influence of pre-treatment on the recovery of crude food extracts by extraction with supercritical CO2 (Supercritical Fluid Extraction or SFE) and with pressurized liquids (ethanol and water) for food sources, aimed at obtaining oleoresins; determination of global yield and chemical composition of crude extracts. As a postdoctoral fellow for the Food Engineering department at the University of Campinas/Brazil
Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro has worked as a substitute Professor at the University of São Paulo State (UNESP) on General Chemistry and Thermodynamics II disciplines for the Food Engineering course.
Education:
- 2009 Bachelor in Environmental Chemistry at the State University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2015 PhD in Chemistry with research in supercritical fluid reactivity University of São Paulo, Brazil
- 2017 Post Doctoral in Food Engineering Research: Influence of Biomass Pre-Treatment on Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Preservation of High Added Value Assets and Reduction of Process Costs at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Rafael Frascino Cassaro are:
RC Bazito, RF CASSARO, LC OLIVEIRA, RA Gariani, CAO Nascimento. (2013). Proline derivatives as organocatalysts for the aldol reaction in conventional and non-conventional reaction media. Green Processing and Synthesis 2, 43-50
TS Bastos, SB Rodriguez Reartes, MS Zabaloy, RF Cassaro, RC Bazito. (2019).Phase Behavior for the System Carbon Dioxide plus p-Nitrobenzaldehyde: Experimental and Modeling JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING DATA 64 (5), 2116-2125
GH Sakae, LM Takata, AS Paulino, RC Bazito, RF Cassaro, C Princival, .(2013). A high enantioselective Proline-based helical polymer catalyst for aldol type reaction. Blucher Chemistry Proceedings 1 (2), 214-214
You can view some of Dr Rafael’s work below and links to his professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rafael-Cassaro-2
Fapesp: https://bv.fapesp.br/pt/pesquisador/680718/rafael-frascino-cassaro/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ToO7HIcAAAAJ&hl=en
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-frascino-cassaro-4a156a37/?originalSubdomain=br
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3729-2858
Reviewer bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In the brief guide, we are going to answer the question ‘Where do lentils come from’ with a detailed analysis of what safety measures are to keep in mind when using them in our daily routine.
Where does almond milk come from?
Almond milk is typically created through a process that involves soaking and grinding almonds while adding an ample amount of water. This method produces a creamy, milky liquid that varies in its thickness depending on the ratio of almonds to water.
In the commercial production of almond milk, the liquid undergoes two common procedures: homogenization under high pressure and pasteurization. These steps are implemented to improve stability and extend the product’s shelf life.
The homogenization process and heat treatment applied to almond milk during commercial production can bring about changes in its physical characteristics. These alterations primarily affect factors such as particle size and viscosity.
These modifications are the direct outcome of the specific processing techniques employed in the commercial manufacturing of almond milk. (1)
What factors affect almond milk stability?
The stability of emulsion plays a crucial role in determining the shelf life of colloidal foods like almond milk. Almond milk is an emulsion where oil droplets and a complex protein dispersion form the dispersed phase within a water-based medium.
Emulsions, by nature, are thermodynamically unstable systems that have a tendency to deteriorate over time due to various physicochemical mechanisms that can occur simultaneously.
These mechanisms include creaming, flocculation, coalescence and phase inversion. Collectively, these processes contribute to the breakdown of the emulsion structure.
The process of homogenization is employed to reduce the size of fat globules in almond milk, thereby preventing the separation and merging of fats during storage. The proteins present in almonds serve as essential emulsifiers, playing a crucial role in the formation and stability of almond milk. (2)
What is the nutritional profile of almond milk?
Almonds contain a range of essential components, including proteins, lipids (fats), soluble sugars, minerals, and fibers.
Among these, lipids are the predominant constituent, comprising approximately 35 to 52% of the almond’s composition, while proteins make up around 22 to 25%. The lipids in almonds are primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids, which are considered healthier fats.
The proteins found in almonds consist mainly of essential amino acids that play crucial roles in various bodily functions. In addition to proteins and lipids, almonds offer a rich array of nutrients.
They are abundant in calcium, magnesium, selenium, potassium, zinc, phosphorus, and copper, all of which are vital for maintaining overall health.(3)
What are the health benefits of drinking almond milk?
Almond milk offers a variety of health benefits, particularly in terms of improving blood lipid profiles and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Consumption of almonds is also associated with promoting healthy digestion, preventing anemia, reducing the risk of certain types of cancer, and providing protection against free radicals.
Almonds are well-known for their richness in vitamin E and other antioxidants, which play a crucial role in maintaining good health.
Almond milk contains valuable bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, vitamin E, and polyamines, which possess antioxidant properties. Additionally, almond milk provides dietary fibers and phytosterols, both of which contribute to its overall health-promoting properties. (1, 3)
Is drinking almond milk as good as eating almonds?
It’s important to note that almond milk, primarily consisting of water, has lower concentrations of beneficial nutrients compared to whole almonds. While almond milk may not offer the same nutrient density as whole almonds, it still provides these bioactive compounds and beneficial components.(1, 3)
How to store almond milk?
Almond milk can be stored in similar ways to oat and soy milk. It is commonly available in two forms: unrefrigerated and refrigerated.
Once almond milk is processed, it is packaged according to distribution and storage requirements. Typically, almond milk is packaged in carton systems (such as multilayer boxes, with Tetra Pak® being a well-known example) or plastic bottles.
For unrefrigerated almond milk, it should be treated similarly to unrefrigerated coconut milk and dairy milk. An unopened carton of unrefrigerated almond milk should be stored in a cool and dark place, away from heat sources like direct sunlight and stovetops.
Refrigerated almond milk should always be stored in the refrigerator. Avoid keeping the almond milk carton in the fridge door, as this area experiences more temperature fluctuations.
It’s important to note that homemade almond milk, which lacks preservatives, must always be kept refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage. (4)
Can almond milk be frozen?
Almond milk can indeed be frozen to extend its shelf life, although it’s important to note that the texture may change upon thawing.
When frozen almond milk is thawed, the liquid and milk solids may separate, resulting in a different consistency. Sedimentation and creaming can occur, potentially leading to a loss of quality. (5)
Does almond milk consumption have any side effects?
Yes, almond milk has the potential to cause gas. Almond seeds contain naturally occurring oligosaccharides, with α-galactooligosaccharides being the predominant type. These include raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose.
The consumption of almond milk, which is rich in α-galactooligosaccharides, can lead to flatulence. However, it’s worth noting that α-galactooligosaccharides have demonstrated potential prebiotic activity.
Additionally, the presence of stabilizers in almond milk, such as carrageenan, can contribute to the occurrence of gas. Carrageenan, in particular, has gained a reputation for causing bloating, inflammation, and even stomach ulcers. (6, 7)
Other FAQs about Almond Milk that you may be interested in.
What does almond milk taste like?
What happens if you drink expired almond milk?
Why is almond milk called milk?
Conclusion
In the brief guide, we discussed answering the question ‘Where do nutmegs come from’ with a detailed analysis of what safety measures are to keep in mind when using them in our daily routine.
Citations
- Vanga SK, Raghavan V. How well do plant based alternatives fare nutritionally compared to cow’s milk? J Food Sci Technol. 55(1): 10-20. 2018.
- Nor Aishah Hassan. Almond milk production and study of quality characteristics Journal of Academia 2, 1-8, 2012
- Silva, A. R. A., Silva, M. M. N., & Ribeiro, B. D. Health Issues and Technological Aspects of Plant-based Alternative Milk. Food Research International, 108972. 2020.
- Reyes-Jurado, F., et. al. Plant-Based Milk Alternatives: Types, Processes, Benefits, and Characteristics. Food Reviews International, 1–32, 2021
- K. Briviba et al. Ultra high pressure homogenization of almond milk: Physico-chemical and physiological effects. Food Chemistry 192 82–89, 2016
- Yu-Ping Huang, Bruna Paviani, Naomi K. Fukagawa, Katherine M. Phillips, Daniela Barile, Comprehensive oligosaccharide profiling of commercial almond milk, soy milk, and soy flour. Food Chemistry, 409, 135267, ISSN 0308-8146, 2023.
- Siddiqui, A. A., Feroz, A., Khaki, P. S. S., & Bano, B. Binding of λ-carrageenan (a food additive) to almond cystatin: An insight involving spectroscopic and thermodynamic approach. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 98, 684–690. 2017.
