Exploring the Rise of Non-Dairy Milk: A Focus on Rice Milk and Almond Rice Milk

no dairy milk market comparison

In recent years, the demand for non-dairy milk alternatives has skyrocketed, with more people seeking healthier and environmentally friendly options. Rice milk and almond rice milk have emerged as popular choices among consumers. In this article, we delve into the history of their commercial use, review the current market of non-dairy milk beverages, and conduct an in-depth comparison of three leading almond rice milk brands. Let’s explore the exciting world of non-dairy milk!

History of Commercial Use of Non-Dairy Milk and Current Market Overview

Non-dairy milk has been around for centuries, with rice milk being one of the earliest alternatives. Originating in China around 1000 B.C., rice milk was traditionally made by boiling rice and water and then straining the mixture. Over time, commercial production techniques were developed, leading to the availability of packaged rice milk in the market.

The non-dairy milk market has witnessed significant growth, driven by factors such as lactose intolerance, veganism, and health-consciousness. Rice milk has gained popularity due to its mild and slightly sweet taste, making it a versatile option for various culinary uses. Apart from rice milk, a wide range of non-dairy milk beverages, including almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk, have also gained traction.

Photo by Vince Russell on Unsplash

In-Depth Comparison of Popular Almond Rice Milk Brands:

In this section, we delve into an in-depth comparison of three popular almond rice milk brands: Vitariz, The Bridge, and Rice Dream. Let’s take a closer look at their ingredients and nutritional value as stated on the 1L containers:

a) Vitariz: Ingredients: Water, Rice (16%), Almonds (1.2%), Sunflower Oil, Salt. Nutritional Value (per 100ml): Energy 47kcal, Fat 1.4g, Carbohydrates 8.4g, Sugars 6g, Protein 0.4g, Salt 0.09g.

b) The Bridge: Ingredients: Water, Rice (14%), Almonds (2%), Sunflower Oil, Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt. Nutritional Value (per 100ml): Energy 49kcal, Fat 1.2g, Carbohydrates 9.2g, Sugars 6g, Protein 0.4g, Salt 0.1g, Calcium 120mg.

c) Rice Dream: Ingredients: Water, Rice (14%), Sunflower Oil, Calcium Phosphate, Salt, Stabilizer (Gellan Gum). Nutritional Value (per 100ml): Energy 45kcal, Fat 1g, Carbohydrates 9.2g, Sugars 6.4g, Protein 0.1g, Salt 0.1g, Calcium 120mg.

Comparative Analysis:

All three brands offer a dairy-free alternative to traditional milk, but slight variations exist in their ingredients and nutritional profiles. Vitariz contains the highest percentage of almonds (1.2%) among the three, providing a nuttier flavor. The Bridge and Rice Dream both contain 2% almonds, offering a richer taste. However, Rice Dream uses stabilizer (Gellan Gum) to enhance texture, which may be a consideration for those seeking a more natural product.

In terms of nutritional value, The Bridge and Rice Dream provide 120mg of calcium per 100ml, making them a great choice for individuals looking to boost their calcium intake. Vitariz contains slightly less calcium. All three brands have similar calorie content, with Vitariz and Rice Dream having slightly lower fat content compared to The Bridge.


Conclusion:

The non-dairy milk market, including rice milk and almond rice milk, has seen tremendous growth and innovation. As consumer preferences shift towards healthier and sustainable options, non-dairy milk has gained prominence as a viable alternative to traditional dairy milk. With a wide variety of brands and flavors available, consumers have the opportunity to choose the product that best suits their taste and nutritional requirements.

As the demand for non-dairy milk continues to rise, it is an opportune time for businesses to invest in the development and promotion of high-quality non-dairy milk products. By embracing this trend and offering diverse options, companies can tap into a growing market and cater to the needs of health-conscious consumers seeking delicious and sustainable alternatives to dairy milk.

Remember, the future of non-dairy milk is bright, and as more people embrace plant-based alternatives, the possibilities for innovation and growth are endless. So raise your glass to a world where rice milk and almond rice milk are at the forefront of the non-dairy revolution!

Vegan Ice cream based on Vitariz Milk

vitariz rice almond milk ice cream

Okay not technically Ice cream but somewhere between a Sorbet and A smoothie, without all of the guilt and trash that goes into the original grown up baby food.

Ingredients:

1 cup Vitariz rice almond milk

1/2 cup coconut cream

1 subject flavor – can be a cup of fresh/frozen tropical fruit like Mango/Pineapple or you can go a different route with a wholesome spread such as natural organic peanut butter (4 table spoons) or Tahini (3 table spoons) or even organic quality cocoa powder (4 tea spoons, you’ll need to sweeten a bit more for this to work).

Something to sweeten it (just a bit) – Maple (real, not syrup!), Date honey. Also works great with Agave syrup. When using a liquid sweetener it is advised to subtract the amount from the other liquids (rice milk).

1 table spoon of surprises and extras – depending on flavor can add chopped slightly roasted peanuts, coconut flakes, berries, Chia seeds etc.

Use blender to mix everything until smooth, except for the extras (stir them in later)

Place in freezer and take it out to be mixed again twice more in the next 24 hours. You can use a muffin silicone tray or ice cube trays.

Obviously an Ice cream machine would get the best results in terms of texture but even without one you can let it thaw for a few minutes before serving.

Enjoy

Is there Vitariz Rice Almond Milk in the US at all?

Order rice almond milk

When we were visiting the family last summer, mainly PA, NJ and NY I couldn’t find my favorite non dairy milk anywhere. There were so many other alternatives that I figured I’m bound to find something decent. After trying out almost everything “Whole Foods” had to offer I was surprised they were all sub-par. Funny thing is that only whatever kind WaWa was serving was actually the least worse kind.

Getting Vitariz almond rice milk to US health food markets

So here’s an open call to all of my US (and let’s throw in Canada while we at it) friends. Please comment where the heck you find your yummy vitariz rice almond milk at? is it online or a physical store? hopefully we can build an index together so other people can find too. Please also specify price and if there’s a special deal on a 10 unit box, variations of flavor etc.

Are you a health food importer yourself? great, please contact us here and we’ll try to work out a plan together.

I buy mine in various locations, as the village I live at (Pardes Hana Karkur) is kind of the holy center of vegan life in Israel, and the competition brings the price down to about 2.85$ per unit!

Double Earl Grey Vitariz Latte

Vegan rice almond milk Latte Tea Recipe

This one is courtesy of the “First Mess” one of the most incredible blogs I’ve ever encountered (you should check it out!)

Ingredients:

  • 4 teaspoons loose leaf earl grey tea (or 2 full teabags)
  • 12 ounces boiling water
  • sweetener, to taste (maple, honey, stevia, coconut sugar)
  • 12 ounces Vitariz rice almond milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons coconut oil
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 drop essential oil (could be Bergamot or something else you like and is safe to drink)

Select 2 large cups. Divide the tea in half and place in tea strainers/DIY tea bags. Set the tea strainers/bags in the cups and pour 6 ounces of the boiling water into each one. Let the tea steep for about 4 minutes. Discard the bags and sweeten the tea if you’d like.

Gently bring the milk to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. While it’s coming up to a simmer, add the following to an upright blender: the coconut oil, vanilla powder, vanilla extract, and essential oil (Make sure you only put 1 drop as it’s not advisable to ingest more than that). This recipe works great with other Vitariz rice milk flavors as well!

Pour the warm milk into the blender. Put the lid on and slowly bring the speed of the blender up to high for about 15 seconds. Divide the frothy, fragrant milk among the two cups and enjoy immediately.

Thank god for the daily pack

outdoors coffee with rice almond milk

Don’t know how we’d get by without the small guy. We spend so much time outdoors and on the road. Just pack a couple of them and we’re good to go!

non dairy rice milk

Now I remember – we used to pour 200 ml before leaving home onto just about anything – empty jam jars, Tupperware and….

Rice milk bottle
Yes I know 200 ml of Vitariz rice almond milk won’t fit into this specific bottle

 

I brought one of those over to work you can imagine how the other male employees responded when they saw me pouring some of that into my Nespresso.