Is refrigerated almond milk better than shelf-stable almond milk?
Introduction
Almond milk has become an increasingly popular plant-based milk alternative. When purchasing almond milk, consumers are faced with the choice between refrigerated almond milk, which is sold chilled in the dairy section, and shelf-stable almond milk, which is sold in aseptic cartons and can be stored at room temperature until opened. But is one type of almond milk superior to the other? This article will compare refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk across a variety of factors including taste, nutrition, ingredients, storage, and environmental impact to help you decide which is the better option for you.
Taste
One of the biggest differences between refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk is taste. Refrigerated almond milk has a fresher, creamier taste resembling dairy milk since it is designed to be consumed cold. Shelf-stable almond milk tends to have a flatter, more processed flavor profile due to the high-heat treatment used to sterilize the milk for ambient storage.
Many people prefer the taste of chilled refrigerated almond milk over shelf-stable varieties when used in applications like cereal, smoothies, coffee, and drinking straight. However, others don’t mind the taste of shelf-stable milk, especially when masked in strongly flavored foods and baked goods.
When comparing specific brands side-by-side, refrigerated products from companies like Califia Farms and Silk tend to taste richer and fresher, while shelf-stable milks like Pacific Foods and Trader Joe’s have more noticeable off-flavors. However, taste preferences are subjective. Those highly sensitive to bitterness caused by almond milk’s oxidation during processing may find the flavor of shelf-stable milk disagreeable.
Nutrition
Almond milk is naturally low in protein, calories, and micronutrients compared to dairy milk. However, many commercial almond milk brands are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin E to boost the nutritional value.
Overall, refrigerated and shelf-stable varieties are nutritionally similar since both types can be fortified. However, refrigerated almond milk may contain slightly higher amounts of certain vitamins that degrade over time when exposed to heat and light. For example, refrigerated almond milk may have 10-20% more vitamin A and vitamin C. But the differences are quite small.
Both refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk are naturally lactose-free, soy-free, low-calorie, and low in saturated fat. Any nutritional differences between the two are negligible for most healthy adults. Those with specialized dietary needs should compare labels to find the best nutritional fit. But they can generally use refrigerated or shelf-stable almond milk interchangeably in recipes, coffee, and other applications without major nutritional consequences.
Here is a nutritional comparison of some popular almond milk brands:
| Almond Milk Type | Calories | Fat | Protein | Sugar | Calcium | Vitamin D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silk Refrigerated | 60 | 2.5g | 1g | 6g | 451mg (45% DV) | 107 IU (25% DV) |
| Pacific Foods Shelf-stable | 60 | 2.5g | 1g | 7g | 451mg (45% DV) | 107 IU (25% DV) |
| Califia Farms Refrigerated | 60 | 2.5g | 1g | 6g | 450mg (45% DV) | 100 IU (25% DV) |
| Trader Joe’s Shelf-stable | 60 | 2.5g | 1g | 9g | 450mg (45% DV) | 100 IU (25% DV) |
Ingredients
The ingredients generally do not vary much between refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk. Both types contain almonds and water as the main ingredients. Shelf-stable almond milk goes through ultra high-temperature (UHT) processing which allows it to be shelf-stable for up to a year. This exposes the milk to higher heats than pasteurization used for refrigerated milk.
To withstand UHT processing, shelf-stable almond milk usually contains stabilizers and emulsifiers like gellan gum, locust bean gum, sunflower lecithin, and vitamin/mineral preservatives. Refrigerated almond milk may have fewer additives like carrageenan or guar gum since it does not need to remain stable at room temperature. But ingredients are still quite similar.
Those wishing to avoid additives may want to prefer refrigerated over shelf-stable. However, both types are processed and contain natural stabilizers. For most people, the small differences in stabilizers and preservatives are insignificant. But individuals with food sensitivities should review the ingredient list carefully.
Storage and Shelf Life
The different processing methods used for refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk means they have quite different storage requirements and shelf lives.
Refrigerated almond milk is pasteurized at lower temperatures than ultra-pasteurized and shelf-stable varieties. This means it has to remain continuously chilled to avoid spoilage. Unopened, it will last 5-7 days past the printed “use by” date. Once opened, it should be consumed within 7-10 days.
In contrast, shelf-stable almond milk is UHT processed allowing it to remain fresh for up to a year without refrigeration before opening. Opened shelf-stable milk will last 7-10 days refrigerated. The aseptic packaging also makes it portable for packing in lunches or taking camping without needing to be kept cold.
For most people, the convenience of longer shelf life and not needing refrigeration outweighs the downsides of a more processed taste. But those planning to use almond milk quickly may prefer refrigerated for maximum freshness.
Price
Shelf-stable almond milk tends to be significantly less expensive than refrigerated almond milk. National brands of refrigerated almond milk average around $3.50-$4.00 per half gallon compared to $2.50-$3.00 for shelf-stable. Store and generic brands have an even wider price gap.
The higher cost of refrigerated almond milk reflects the higher production and transportation costs to keep the product chilled. The upside is the fresher taste. But for those on a tight budget or using almond milk as a dairy substitute, shelf-stable is likely the more economical choice. Choosing shelf-stable over refrigerated could save a household $30-50 per year on almond milk.
Environmental Impact
At first glance, shelf-stable almond milk seems more eco-friendly since it does not require refrigerated transport and storage. However, refrigerated almond milk comes in recyclable plastic jugs while shelf-stable varieties use aseptic cardboard cartons lined with plastic. Recycling facilities often cannot separate the paper and plastic components of aseptic cartons, meaning most end up in landfills.
One analysis by the University of California, Davis found shelf-stable almond milk cartons create over 50% more greenhouse gas emissions per half gallon compared to refrigerated bottles. The aseptic packaging also contributes 2.5 more times non-renewable energy use.
From a pure carbon footprint perspective, refrigerated almond milk in recyclable plastic containers appears to be the more environmentally sustainable choice over shelf-stable cartons. However, more study is needed looking at the full life cycle from almond farming through disposal. Consumers should choose the packaging type that best enables their household to recycle responsibly.
Quality Comparison
When directly comparing the same almond milk brand refrigerated vs. shelf-stable, the refrigerated version is often regarded as higher quality:
| Refrigerated | Shelf-Stable |
|---|---|
| Fresher, creamier taste | Flatter, more processed taste |
| Slightly more vitamin retention | Lower vitamin levels |
| Fewer stabilizers and emulsifiers | More stabilizers and emulsifiers |
| Short 5-7 day shelf life once opened | Lasts 7-10 days opened |
| More expensive per unit | Less expensive per unit |
| Recyclable plastic jugs | Aseptic cardboard cartons |
However, the differences are modest for most uses of almond milk. Consumers base preferences for refrigerated or shelf-stable on factors like taste, budget, storage needs, accessibility to recycling, and environmental priorities.
Conclusion
When comparing refrigerated vs. shelf-stable almond milk, there is no universally “better” option. Shelf-stable almond milk is more affordable, convenient, and accessible. But refrigerated varieties taste fresher and more like dairy milk. Nutritionally and ingredient-wise, the two are quite similar.
Here are some guidelines for choosing between refrigerated and shelf-stable almond milk:
– If taste is paramount, go for refrigerated. The chilled product has a richer, creamier flavor.
– If budget is a concern, choose shelf-stable. You can save $2 or more per container.
– If you use almond milk quickly, refrigerated retains optimum freshness. But if storing for over a month before use, shelf-stable has a longer shelf life before and after opening.
– If you drink almond milk straight, the taste differences are more noticeable – favor refrigerated. In cooking and baking, the two are largely interchangeable.
– If you have access to recycling services that accept aseptic cartons, shelf-stable offers portable convenience. But if needing to recycle plastic only, go for refrigerated.
While refrigerated almond milk is fresher, shelf-stable varieties offer practical advantages for many consumers. Focus on your taste preferences, budget, storage needs, and recycling access to decide if refrigerated or shelf-stable best fits your lifestyle. Within a particular brand, the two options can generally substitute for each other in recipes with minimal differences in nutrition or results.