Trend Report: From Potatoes & Bananas to Watermelon Seeds, Meet the New ‘Alternative’ Plant-Based Milks

Plant-based milks are becoming increasingly popular, with nearly half of Americans now consuming them for reasons ranging from taste to health benefits to intolerances. While almond, oat, soy, and coconut milks dominate the market, challenger brands are introducing new milk bases such as watermelon seeds, pistachios, and potatoes to appeal to consumers looking for new flavors, better nutrition, and higher sustainability credentials. The global market for plant-based milk is growing rapidly, with Asia leading in revenue and the US seeing significant sales growth.

These emerging plant-based milks are aiming to address various consumer needs and trends, such as targeted nutrition with pea milk from brands like Sproud and Ripple Foods, allergen-free options like sunflower milk from Lattini, and sustainability-focused choices like buckwheat milk from Bam. Novel flavors and ingredients, such as peanut milk, banana milk, and pecan milk, are also being introduced to provide unique taste experiences. Overall, the plant-based milk market is evolving to meet consumer demands for diverse, sustainable, and nutritious alternatives to traditional dairy products.