A dairy-plant-turned-vegan-nutmilk-producer has started introducing its first line of nondairy milks to Tampa-area Publix locations. (I've already seen them at the Seffner store at Mango Square, but most Publixes in the Southeast will have them by mid-April.)
Longtime Queens dairy Elmhurst closed last year after its operation was no longer profitable, according to a story in the New York Times, and has since joined the plant-based movement. Under the Elmhurst Milked label, the company's new nutmilks are made using a proprietary cold-milling technique, known as milking, co-created with culinary innovator Dr. Cheryl Mitchell, who's helped develop products like Hain Celestial's nondairy Rice Dream beverage.
Elmhurst incorporates whole and raw ingredients to pull off its products, which are free of a mouthful of things; the Milked line's four varieties — almond ($4.99), walnut ($4.99), hazelnut ($5.99) and cashew ($5.99) — are additive-free, non-GMO, gluten-free, lactose-free and kosher. Phew! None of them have to be refrigerated before they're opened either.
Packaged in a recyclable container, each creamy nutmilk is meant to be enjoyed solo. But can also be added to drinks such as smoothies, lattes and tea, cereal, and home-cooked recipes that call for traditional dairy milk. If you scoop any up the next time you're at the store, let us know what you think in the comments.
This article appears in Mar 30 – Apr 6, 2017.