Page 38 - FoodFocusThailand No.189 December 2021

SPECIAL FOCUS
SPECIAL FOCUS

Plant-Based Milk…

Nutrient Rich

Beverage with Great

Business Opportunities

In the modern days, beverages and drinks are no longer
merely thirst quenchers as customers are also looking for
functional benefits in beverages. This is a key factor for
the rising growth of the plant-based beverages market.

Consumers’ preferences have increasingly shifted toward vegan food unsweetened oat milk contains 160 calories, 3 grams of protein, and
and beverages in response to higher health awareness. The number of 2 grams of fiber. Oats naturally supply nutrients such as potassium,
vegetarians, as well as people with lactose intolerance and other food which helps promote healthy blood pressure levels, and iron, which
allergies, is growing significantly. In addition, the rising demand for organic- is important for preventing anemia. Furthermore, oats boast beta
agro products, with the chemical-free benefit, has encouraged glucan, a soluble fiber that may offer heart health benefits, as well as
manufacturers to opt for plant-based raw materials in their products. aid in proper digestion.
Moreover, the Fairtrade Sourcing Program, Halal Certification, and Kosher 3. Hazelnuts Milk Hazelnut milks provide a delightful nutty flavor.
Certification can help manufacturers grow a wider customer base globally. A cup of unsweetened hazelnut milk ranges from 30 to 90 calories,
The advancement of plant-based milks is driven by widespread 1 to 2 grams of protein, and up to 1 gram of fiber. A good-quality
knowledge sharing among health-savvy consumers across the globe. hazelnut milk will contain a higher concentration of hazelnuts, making
The demand for plant-based milks is growing by leaps and bounds, it higher in calories and fat. However, this fat is mostly in the form of
creating opportunities for manufacturers in the plant-based beverages healthy monounsaturated fats. A good hazelnut milk offers a creamy,
market. rich flavor that can replace whole dairy milk. It works beautifully in
desserts, smoothies, and of course coffee.
Plant-based Milk Manufacturing
Challenges for manufacturers are on the key elements of processing in How Big is the Plant-based Beverage Market?
order to develop the desired products. These elements range from the The global plant-based beverage market is set to reach $19.7 billion
choices of ingredients, the processing technology that is suited to the by 2023, doubling in value in just six years. Plant-based food and
selected ingredients, getting the right taste and texture, minimizing drink products will no longer be considered a niche market, as they
separation of a product and having manufacturing ‘flexibility’ to switch are becoming mainstream. In the Asia Pacific region, the plant-based
between different ingredients. category is gaining tremendous traction — it is the biggest plant-based
Plant-based milks are water extracts of dissolved and disintegrated market in the world which represents 93% of the global soy milk
plant material. The general outline of a modern industrial scale process market and 63% of the global rice, nuts, grains and seeds-based
is essentially the same: the plant material is either soaked and wet milled (RNGS) market.
or dry milled. For dry milling, the flour is extracted in water afterwards. In South-East Asian countries, particularly in Thailand, the
Often this slurry from both ways is filtered or decanted, to remove the consumption of plant-based milk as part of the daily diet is the norm.
grinding waste and insoluble plant material. Standardizations and addition In Thailand, soy is widely available, inexpensive and firmly established
of other ingredients like oil, flavorings, sugar, and stabilizer may be applied as a base ingredient. Another rapidly growing business opportunity
afterwards, depending on the desired product. To improve the suspension is the rice, nuts, grains and seeds based (RNGS) segment, which
and microbial stability, homogenization and pasteurization or ultra-high achieved 14% growth last year. The products in this category are
temperature (UHT) treatment take place in the end of the process. enjoying increasing popularity among health-conscious consumers
Depending on the plant source and or production steps, the solutions are who want dairy alternatives with full functional benefits.
either colloidal suspensions or emulsions. The finalized product resembles Another opportunity is presented in the rice, nuts, grains, and
cow’s milk in appearance. After that fill it in the proper packaging. seeds based (RNGS) space with a plethora of ingredients with various
functional benefits. It is a new and rapidly evolving category that is
Popular Raw Materials for Plant-based Milks filled with almost endless possibilities for new formulations and
1. Soy Milk Soy milk is a well-known dairy milk replacement, but combinations. These key elements range from the choice of
similarity to dairy is not its only benefit. Soy milk contains various health ingredients, the processing technology that is suited to selected
benefits with nutrients like vitamin B which is important for enhancing ingredients getting an acceptable taste and texture for a product,
nerve repair and cell multiplication to make new DNA. Soy milk can help minimizing separation of a product and having manufacturing
prevent anemia, tiredness and fatigue. Soy milk is also high in protein ‘flexibility’ to switch between different ingredients. These elements
and the protein in soy milk can help support healthy muscles and organs. can drastically alter the way products are manufactured in conjunction
One cup of unsweetened soy milk contains 1 gram of soluble fiber, 3.5 with their shelf-life performance.
grams of protein, and 35 kilocalories.
2. Oat Milk Oat milk is ideal for people with a dairy allergy and nut
allergy, or people who need a lactose-free option. One cup of full-fat
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