I've never tried Blue Diamond because I haven't seen it in the UK, but I'm imagining it's similar to Alpro Soya. On the contrary I actually grew to love the taste of Rice Dream. The taste was a little odd first in comparison to cow's milk, then I grew used to it. If you have the hazelnut and almond flavour Rice Dream it does taste a whole not nicer, but very, very sweet indeed. You would need it with a plain cereal. Soya milk doesn't really appeal, it leaves a weird dry after taste. Soya yoghurt is great though and contains way more protein. At the end of the day I stick to cow's milk because I can a) tolerate it and b) it's cheaper.

Hi Tanya,

Yes, I've tried both and as opposed to drinking cow's milk, I alternate between the two depending on what I'm mixing it with.  Both work well for me and my family.  Wish that they were sold by the gallon.  I'm actually considering making my own one day...the process looks fairly easy; however, I would be curious about the taste.

Great article!!!:-)

Denise

I personally really enjoy almond milk and my daughters prefer it to cows milk. It is a great choice for lattes as it can be whipped to create a foam which makes me feel like I'm getting whipped cream. I am lactose intolerant so I was happy to find something I enjoy. I do buy the refrigerated variety and not the shelf stable.

I really, really like the Blue Diamond Almond milk and I buy the unsweetened whenever I can find it!  I use it just like I do regular milk, primarily the only time I use milk is for my protein shakes.  I love the fact it only has 40 calories for a full cup as I try to keep my calorie intake to a minimum.  I would highly recommend it.  I was very impressed.  If you can find it in a regular half gallon carton instead of the smaller "box type" it is really cheaper, the regular half gallon size is in the refrigerated section in with the milk products.  The smaller box is in the regular isles not refridgerated.

I drink Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla and it does not taste "Beany" I don't know how it could taste "beany" because it's made from almonds. Plus the unsweetened version only has 40 Calories.

Pause and think about this.... there is an aftertaste to cows milk. We're just so used to it.

Non dairy milks contain no hormones or cholesterol. They are much better for our bodies. 

Take a leap and try some different products.

A MESSAGE TO THE AUTHOR

There are many studies showing that humans don't need milk and that milk is not necessarily the best source of nutrients.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you- eat/calcium-and-milk/

We are the only species on the planet that drink the milk of another species. I feel saying that non-dairy milk is not as nutritious as cows milk is a misleading statement. Most of our dairy products in the US are not acceptable on the world market because of the hormones and other unnatural methods used in the USA to produce dairy. 

Additionally the World Health Organization recommends that only 5% of our calories be protein. There are multitudes of humans that have survived and thrived much better on our planet without dairy products or its protein.

Original Post by: ninav

I drink Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla and it does not taste "Beany" I don't know how it could taste "beany" because it's made from almonds. Plus the unsweetened version only has 40 Calories.

Pause and think about this.... there is an aftertaste to cows milk. We're just so used to it.

Non dairy milks contain no hormones or cholesterol. They are much better for our bodies. 

Take a leap and try some different products.

A MESSAGE TO THE AUTHOR

There are many studies showing that humans don't need milk and that milk is not necessarily the best source of nutrients.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you- eat/calcium-and-milk/

We are the only species on the planet that drink the milk of another species. I feel saying that non-dairy milk is not as nutritious as cows milk is a misleading statement. Most of our dairy products in the US are not acceptable on the world market because of the hormones and other unnatural methods used in the USA to produce dairy. 

Additionally the World Health Organization recommends that only 5% of our calories be protein. There are multitudes of humans that have survived and thrived much better on our planet without dairy products or its protein.

 

I agree with you.  I don't find an aftertaste or a beany taste to the Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla.  I am allergic to soy and dairy (asthma), so finding a suitable substitute for cooking and drinking is important to me.  I used Rice Dream for a long time, but I really don't care for the taste.

Almond Breeze unsweetened vanilla is my choice for milk replacement.  It doesn't create that "phlegmy" after taste of cows milk, it has only 40 calories a cup, and (most important) it doesn't trigger my asthma.

Rice milk and almond milk are great, especially if you stop comparing them to cows milk.  Take a drink of it and judge it based on the product alone, not what you've been told for years is the norm.  Both are great for baking and can be used in any recipe that calls for milk.  I even make sawmill gravy using rice milk, although almond milk sometimes makes the gravy slightly lumpy.  By the way, for those of you who don't drink milk, try hemp milk. I love it! 

I think one of the biggest flaws with processed vegan and vegetarian foods is they spend too much of their time trying to imitate animal products when they should be working on being delicious on their own. For example, Boca burgers vs. Veggie burgers: Veggie burgers are delicious but taste nothing like meat, and I am very happy with that.  I don't eat meat because I don't like meat!  Boca burgers, however, try to imitate meat and I therefore find them disgusting and over-processed.  

We recently (a week ago 8/1/10) switched to Almond Milk from Cow on the advise of our doctor.  It did take a few days to get use to but we have been using it for a week and I have to say it is quite good.  None of the digestive problems like milk and it is great in cereal or our new favorite - Banana Smoothies. 

I get my dairy replacement by the case from Costco. We buy their Kirkland Signature brand of Organic Vanilla Soy Milk. It's USDA organic... third party certified organic by Quality Assurance International. The case of 12 (one quart) containers = 3 gallons, and only costs around $12!!!! The containers keep for a LONG time (like, usually up to a YEAR for the expiration date!) on the shelf of our pantry... they only require refrigeration after they've been opened. I keep a few chilled and ready. My children and I drink it and like the taste straight or used in cooking or with our cereal. Even my mother (who used to think soy milk tasted like wet cardboard) said this stuff isn't bad at all! The ingredients: organic soy milk (filtered water, whole organic soybeans that were NOT genetically engineered), organic evaporated cane juice, tricalcium citrate, sea salt, organic vanilla flavor, carrageenan, vit. A palmitate, vit. D2, Riboflavin (B2), and Vit. B12.  Nutrition Facts: 100 calories, 3.5 g. fat, 0.5 g. saturated fat, 0 g. trans fat or cholesterol, 2 g. polyunsaturated fat, 1 g. monounsaturated fat, 95 mg. sodium, 280 mg. potassium, 9 g. carbohydrate, <1 g. dietary fiber, 7 g. sugars, 7 g. protein. Vit A. 10%, Calcium 25%, Vit. D 30%, Vit. B12 50%, Iron 8%, and Riboflavin 30%. 

I hope this information and our review of the product helps others who are looking for a healthy alternative to cow's milk that actually tastes good by itself as a drink. Like I stated above, the discriminating palates of my family members (picky! LOL) love this stuff and drink it daily. As a mom, I like the fact that it's lower in calories, low in saturated fats and sugar, and packs a nutrient punch with calcium, Vit. D, B2, B12, A, Iron, and protein!

I think almond milk and rice milk taste great, and the after tastes are fine too. It just depends on your individual taste buds. I just prefer not to use rice milk in my cereal. It's too watery. Almond milk tends to be a bit thicker.

I buy Earth's Own 'Almond Fresh'. It comes in 2L containers and is always in the fridge aisle next to the soy milk. Ryza's brown rice milk beverages are usually found next to them and yummy too!

I don't drink any dairy or soy, so they're great. Apparently almond milk can't be heated, so I use almond milk for my smoothies. I use rice milk for making pancakes and things.

I love the Blue Diamond Almond Milk and buy only the unsweetened versions.  The original unsweetened works well as a milk substitute in recipes and my kids like the vanilla over cereal, etc... For drinking I prefer the vanilla, and since we don't eat cane juice I would just a few drops of stevia if I wanted it sweeter.

Original Post by: ninav

I drink Blue Diamond unsweetened vanilla and it does not taste "Beany" I don't know how it could taste "beany" because it's made from almonds. Plus the unsweetened version only has 40 Calories.

Pause and think about this.... there is an aftertaste to cows milk. We're just so used to it.

Non dairy milks contain no hormones or cholesterol. They are much better for our bodies. 

Take a leap and try some different products.

A MESSAGE TO THE AUTHOR

There are many studies showing that humans don't need milk and that milk is not necessarily the best source of nutrients.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you- eat/calcium-and-milk/

We are the only species on the planet that drink the milk of another species. I feel saying that non-dairy milk is not as nutritious as cows milk is a misleading statement. Most of our dairy products in the US are not acceptable on the world market because of the hormones and other unnatural methods used in the USA to produce dairy. 

Additionally the World Health Organization recommends that only 5% of our calories be protein. There are multitudes of humans that have survived and thrived much better on our planet without dairy products or its protein.

 

I completely agree w/ you, Ninav! Some really great information I read on this came from "The China Study: Startling Implications For Diet, Weight Loss and Long-Term Health" by T. Colin Campbell, PhD. and Thomas M. Campbell II.  I also read "Skinny B**ch" by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. BOTH books talk about the hidden dangers of cow's milk and dairy products! (not to mention consuming the massive portions of animal products and meat so prevalent in today's Western Diet!) I encourage everyone to become as informed as possible about the choices you make in what you eat. Studies are being performed, released, and hidden every day that clearly demonstrate how much of an impact the nutrients in our food (not supplements!) have on our health... FAR outweighs our genetics, even!

I LOVE unsweetened almond milk, and I buy Almond Breeze. Maybe its because I used to only drink soy milk, but I love the taste and it reminds me of the milk that I can't drink (intolerance). I like it straight whereas I didn't like milk straight. I also swap it out in some recipes and it seems to cook well compared to other subs.

I have never tasted a "beany" taste, but again, maybe because I used to drink only soy (which I don't like all that much). That calorie count is great compared to other nondairy swaps-- soy tends to be higher calorie. I haven't had the sweetened version yet at all.

As for the price..... um, I get 32 oz boxes for $1.99 on sale every other week or so and combine with coupons when I can, so its cheaper. You also have to take into account that it doesn't spoil like cow milk and some soy milks, so it works for us. Rice milk here is MUCH higher for whatever reason, and so is a decent soy milk.

Great article. I have loved milk since I was a child so much so that I would be called milk baby by my siblings! I finally decided to try the Almond Breeze Unsweetened after reading the Belly Fat Cure by Jorge Cruise.

I couldn't imagine NOT drinking regular skim milk but I have to say I love it! It is better for me and I add Truvia if I want it sweetened. Kids will love the Unsweetened Chocolate. You just add a natural sweetner like Stevia.

Try it! You will not want to switch back to regular milk. :o)

I agree with both sides of the story. Though we are not meant to drink OTHER SPECIES milk (there is NO debating an infant needs his mother's milk and NOT soy or any alternative-whenever possible that is), humans have been drinking and eating (think of cheese!) cows, goats and sheeps milk for centuries. Whether this is meant to be or not, there is no denying that it is engrained in our cultures (well most of them!). While lots of alternatives contain less fat and sugar than milk, they also contain less calcium, or are calcium enriched, which im pretty sure is metabolized differently than the inherent calcium found in Cow's milk. Getting vitamins and minerals in FOOD and not pills or *enriched* products is definately better, and especially in children, who need much more than 5% protein to grow big and strong! My opinion.. if you are allergic, sick, or you just don't like the taste of milk then so be it and get the alternatives. If you love milk like i do, then drink it and don't feel guilty! its healthy in moderate doses (and in lower fat percentages) and its definately better than soda and coffee! 

As for hormones, antiobiotics and the like, I am definately happy to live in Canada where milk can NOT contain either when its tested from the farm otherwise it is thrown away. It is therefore not necessary to buy organic milk in Canada to be safe from those chemicals. In the US, i am sure they have organic ---- so drink up!

Milk is not just about calcium. If you do your research completely, especially with regard to muscle building, energy and weight loss, all real milk products that come from animals contain creatine which muscles needs to fuel themselves. Non-animal products must be fortified with synthesized creatine to even start to compare, and they're not because its far to expensive. A study also showed that vegetarian/vegan diets are so low in creatine that their muscle mass declines rapidly and even shrinks their fluid intelligence. Their intelligence was, however, markedly replenished in just 6 weeks after taking synthesized creatine supplements. So veg-heads, (literally) chew on that.

This is the internet, don't ask me for a source when you can find it just as easily as I can. The difference between you and I is: I will never look at this post again. :)

Original Post by: kolcott

Rice milk and almond milk are great, especially if you stop comparing them to cows milk.  Take a drink of it and judge it based on the product alone, not what you've been told for years is the norm.  Both are great for baking and can be used in any recipe that calls for milk.  I even make sawmill gravy using rice milk, although almond milk sometimes makes the gravy slightly lumpy.  By the way, for those of you who don't drink milk, try hemp milk. I love it! 

I think one of the biggest flaws with processed vegan and vegetarian foods is they spend too much of their time trying to imitate animal products when they should be working on being delicious on their own. For example, Boca burgers vs. Veggie burgers: Veggie burgers are delicious but taste nothing like meat, and I am very happy with that.  I don't eat meat because I don't like meat!  Boca burgers, however, try to imitate meat and I therefore find them disgusting and over-processed.  

100% agree. i shy away from many commercial vegan/vegetarian imitation products for the simple fact that under their healthy facade, they are just as processed as the conventional food on the shelf next to them. i am lactose intolerant and i would rather go without cheese than eat an imitation of cheese. 

i use full circle organic vanilla rice milk and i really like it. it is convenient and comes in a non-refrigerated paper carton. i make my morning oatmeal with it, put it in smoothies. i have also cooked with the unflavored version and found it to act similarly to milk in things like pancakes, etc.

i was never a real milk drinker to begin with, so i rarely drink it straight. i have in the past though, and it was not entirely bad. i have never tried almond milk, but dislike soy milk quite a bit. i do try to look at the product on its own merit rather than stacking it up against cow's milk. 

Oh, and i do love almond breeze and rice milk on occasion - to skip the calories... but right now being preggers, i enjoy my 3 glasses of 1% milk a day and will continue to do so!

I actually don't like milk in particular.  It's leaves a funky aftertaste in my mouth, and I'll cramp after drinking it.  However, I can tolerate baking and cooking with it, just not straight up.  I grew up with Rice Dream (my family was full-out organic, we even ground our own wheat berries....), so to me, it's a delicious taste of home. My three year old son tolerates the Rice Dream (as well as the Blue Diamond Almond milk), but his all out favorite is the Silk Almond Milk with Vanilla.  It's 3.99 (?) so I'll only get it every other week or so.  If I'd let him, he'd guzzle the whole thing in one day.  I ration it out to him.  lol 

I have nothing new to add to the debate, I just wanted to point out that dairy products from Wisconsin and Vermont have no rbgh so if I'm looking to buy a dairy product I look for something from those states or organic.  I'm not buying for a family though so price is not quite the issue for me that it is for some. 

After switching to dairy alternatives, the aftertaste is much less displeasing to me than the aftertaste of actual milk so I think it's what you're willing to get used to.

And lastly, one time my two aunts were arguing over the merits of 2% milk vs whole cow's milk.  The one stated "if God meant us to drink skim milk he'd have made it come that way out of the cow" to which the other replied "if God meant us to drink cow's milk he'd have made us cows".  No answer to that one.

I love unsweeteneed almond milk, and would disagree that it tastes "beany."  It reawlly is a matter of personal taste, I think.  I also like rice milk, but don't think it has a lot of taste.  I don't like the vanilla flavoring, or the sugar usually found with it, in any kind of milk.  I don't like soy milk at all. I've tried it several times in plain, vanilla, and chocolate.  I liked the chocolate, but there was no point in drinking it because of the sugar content.  Also, soy is a natural estrogen supplement.  I've personally seen men who have experienced mild erectile dysfunction after switching to soy milk totally and though it sounds paranoid, believe that the rise in the popularity of Viagra and such meds is helped by the rise in soy consumption.  My significant other experimented a bit after I suggested that may be his problem and sure enough, it made a huge difference.  For my money, almond milk is the best idea for those who are lactose intolerant and plain old milk, which had been consumed for centuries before all the alternatives, is best.

I would like to post a reminder for people with food allergies, that almonds are a "tree nut" and therefore in one of the 8 most allergenic food groups (along with dairy, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts/legumes, seafood, and shellfish).  Allergic reactions occur due to the protein content of the food; it is the "foreign protein" that your antibodies are attacking, not a sugar (like lactose) or mineral component (like iodine).  So the safest alternative for people with food allergies will be rice milk, because it is so low in protein.  Enriched rice milk is a good source of calcium and vitamin D.  Just remember to get plenty of protein from other dietary sources:  fully cooked chicken, pork, and beef seem to be safe for most people with food allergies.

I love almond milk but find it a bit sweet, unsweetened isn't available here in Spain, or I haven't found it yet.  What is available is a kind of almond syrup which you can mix yourself with water or add it just as it is to warm drinks, I prefer this as it comes out less sweet.  I have lactose intolerance but find I am ok with fermented yogourt and also goat/sheep cheese, my calcium must come from these as I have a very good bone mass for my age and haven't drunk milk for years.

CORRECTION:  In my comment about allergenic foods, by "seafood" I actually mean FISH.  Sorry if there was confusion about that.

My daughter makes her own Almond milk, her son can't tolerate milk.  It is really pretty simple and tastes great... use the crushed left over nuts in homemade baked goods.

Even if you don't want to drink almond milk (or soy milk) as a beverage, you can use these dairy alternatives in recipes.

Almond milk, particularly, is a great alternative to milk in smoothies and other recipes.  Here is a link to a recipe for almond milk that you can make yourself. Almond Milk Recipe.

Enjoy!

 I love the refrigerated Blue Diamond (the best almonds) vanilla almond milk, or any almond milk, in my cereal, it is delicious. It makes my cooked oatmeal creamy and it tastes like dessert,It also makes fabulous french toast with challah bread mixed with egg( special Sunday morning treat I don't allow myself too often). I use it for cooking and baking with great and tasty results.

 just in case I run out of almond milk to put on my cereal, I also keep a box of the vanilla rice milk and one of the vanilla soy milk(my last choice) in the cupboard.   Here is a joke I played on my new daughter in law who had never heard of almond "milk": On the box of almond milk is a picture of hands outstretched with almonds in them. I told her" See that picture? Each almond is milked by hand. Isn't that amazing!" She really believed it, until I cracked up laughing. No worries, she got me back with a joke of her own when I was unsuspecting. Hope I made someone smile today!

P.S.re:milk allergies and lactose intolerant(which I now have), my dad always warned us not to drink too much milk or give it to our children, he said that "cow's milk is for baby cows"(and the same for all othe animal's milk). hugs and good wishes, Moxamomma

A great alternative to cow milk, almond milk, or rice dream is "Vanilla Light Soy Milk".  It makes my cereal in the morning a pleasant taste experience.  Also, we use it in fruit smoothies.  My daughter is lactose intolerant and I think I have issues too from cow milk.  "Try it, you'll like it."

I love dairy and I won't apologize for that - my son does also.  I am lactose intolerant and alternate between Organic Valley lactose free fat free milk and unsweetened vanilla almond breeze depending on the situation. 

I use almond milk 90% of the time, but if I was going to have a glass of something with my cookies, pie or cake - it would be skim milk. 

I also enjoy a serving of Greek yogurt every day and use tzatziki on my sandwiches instead of mayonnaise - A tip that I got here on Calorie Count.  I love cottage cheese and sour cream and use regular butter (sparingly).  There is no substitute for real cheese, and we enjoy a variety of cheeses almost every day.

Almond milk is a great alternative to cow's milk and I am glad to have found it, but I see it as another beverage option, not a replacement for cow's milk.  

What is an important fact to me is that there is no NO cholestrol or saturated fat in almond milk. There is an equal amount of calcium as in cow's milk.  SO.....this works, in that aspect, also works if you aren't too crazy about drinking milk from an animal.  Granted, the protein isn't there, but that issue can be solved with a protein shake, bar, a bean dish...lots of ways to get your protein besides the milk.  I use it in cereal, coffee, and smoothies.  On the contrary, I do not experience a bad aftertaste, it is actually quite pleasant, and really adds something to coffee, too!  The texture is NOT thinner than skim or 1 percent milk, maybe a bit thinner than whole milk.  I have tried the rice milk, and my personal preference is the Silk almond milk or the Blue Diamond.   Works like a charm, much better than cow's milk, in fruit smoothies!  I do a scoop of protein powder (23 grams of protein), a cup of Blue Diamond 40 calorie almond milk, a dash of cinnamon, and sometimes a banana , or even add in some blueberries, strawberries, or orange, grapes or apples!  now WE HAVE PROTEIN, FIBER, POTASSIUM, CALCIUM, VITAMIN C...in a good sized cup that will be 300 calories!!!!!!!

As someone who doesn't like milk whatsoever (never have - my mom couldn't even get me to nurse as a baby) I've tried all the alternatives. I still don't really drink it straight, but I've found the very best to be the unsweetened almond milk. It's only 40 calories and it's perfect for smoothies and on cereal which is mostly what I use it for.

I know people like the sweetened ones, but if you think about it, milk isn't sweetened, so why does your alternative have to be? Save some calories and enjoy the almond flavor.

I'm glad this topic came up.  I've been hunting for good milk alternatives and working toward vegan options in food since I read T. Colin Campbell's The China Study.  I grew up on a farm where we had cows and drank whole milk daily as a child.  This book completely turned my thinking around and my eating habits as well.  Another good source of nutrition and health information  is the McDougall Newsletter which you can find online.

For my milk alternative I choose oat milk for my oatmeal.  It is right on the aisle next to the almond and soy milks.  It makes the oatmeal more creamy and is not bad to drink, either, in my opinion.

I totally agree with you.  I do not drink milk and try to stay away from most dairy products.   I also believe we have been led to believe that we need way more protein than we do.  Do you know how much longer it takes your gut to digest protein and how much of it remains in your digestive system. 

Part of the problem with these drinks, almond, rice or soy is that people who try them expect them to taste like cow's milk.  I have been using them for some time and now I can't bring myself to drink cow's milk

Original Post by: linmargn

I totally agree with you.  I do not drink milk and try to stay away from most dairy products.   I also believe we have been led to believe that we need way more protein than we do.  Do you know how much longer it takes your gut to digest protein and how much of it remains in your digestive system. 

Part of the problem with these drinks, almond, rice or soy is that people who try them expect them to taste like cow's milk.  I have been using them for some time and now I can't bring myself to drink cow's milk

I think that's one of the reasons why consuming more protein and less fat and carbs leads to successful weight loss, because it does take long to digest.

I have an almond intolerance and also I'm impartial to soy milk, it gives me tremendous gas and makes my stomach very upset.

I would like to give rice milk a try though!

I stopped drinking cow's milk several years ago and have never looked back. I like soymilk (plain), and I just love almond milk. I personally think the unsweetened versions of both taste great...I have never noticed any sort of after taste and liked both from the very beginning. I really don't care for the taste of cow's milk.

Original Post by: marie841

I stopped drinking cow's milk several years ago and have never looked back. I like soymilk (plain), and I just love almond milk. I personally think the unsweetened versions of both taste great...I have never noticed any sort of after taste and liked both from the very beginning. I really don't care for the taste of cow's milk.

Correction: What I meant to say was I enjoy the plain versions of each (which isn't the same as the unsweetened).

I must admit, I have not tried the Rice Dream Vanilla Rice Drink  BUT, I have tried the Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Vanilla Non-Dairy Beverage.  Something that I have not seen mentioned is the ability to cook with this product.  I have used the Almond Breeze (non-sweetened) and found that it was equally as usable as milk.  I found absolutely no difference in the performance of the Almond Breeze when using it as an ingredient in baking.

theresa83-Almond milk has been around since the middle ages and was used because it didn't spoil as quickly as cows milk. Not all "alternatives" are new fangled inventions. Soy has also been around for a long time. Consuming these products is just as natural and normal as consuming cow milk.

Blue Diamond Original Unsweetened is great, I don't know what this article is talking about.

I love milk and now I love almond milk too! The aftertaste isn't harsh, it is a bit nutty but you get used to it if you drink it a lot.

Before you make up your mind, try the unsweetened original flavor. I find this one the closest to milk's taste.

I love the blue diamond almond breeze milk especially teh chocolate flavor one which is next to impossible tofind now a daysI do not like th soy milk because of after taste

I rather like the taste of the Original Silk almond milk- I started getting it because of the coupons, and it compares well with Almond Breeze. Only 60 Cals per cup, a mild taste of almonds and no vanilla! I've also noticed that adding it to smoothies actually accentuates the almond flavor, which I LOVE.

If you don't want synthetic additives, make your own almond milk. Soak them overnight and then blend in a powerful blender with some water. (Peel them for the purest taste, or use with peel for all the good fiber!) Use it strained or not- that's the way my mom made almond milk when we were young, and nothing compares to That taste. :)

i like the unsweetened almond milk.  the sweetened type has about twice the number of calories.  i also sometimes drink very dilute coconut milk (canned), but sometimes it separates in the can into a oily mess and is not very pleasant.  this makes me prefer almond milk, but almond milk is more expensive where i live. 

Too bad the taster didn't like the Blue diamond almond milk-I actually can't comment on Blue Diamond-but I love the Silk almond milk--unsweetened, and another brand of unsweetened that comes in a box.Just don't feel like adding more steps to my pedometer just now to see what the brand is...I like the taste and have for years.

I LOVE almond milk. I had it for the first time when I visited China. I drank it there everyday! I have only tried the Silk Almond milk here and I thought it was gross it tasted nothing like what I had in China！But maybe I will try the Blue Diamond brand. I really miss drinking almond milk!

I'm a big fan of almond milk! I drink Silk Original Almond milk and I really like it though I don't typically drink it by itself.  It is great w/ my protein -- it's a little bit thicker than regular milk so I like that it makes my protein drink thick but not too thick.  Plus, with only 60 calories it was 50 less than the 1% milk I was drinking!  I also LOVE it in cereal! I think it brings out the flavor of the cereal more.  With it being thicker it "clings" to the cereal more and I'm one of those people who likes to be able to taste cereal and milk in every bite...! I don't know if that made sense but all in all I really like the Silk brand though I haven't tried the almond breeze. (Not a fan of the price though -- $2.88)

I think the Almond milk tastes great by itself. Also Silk now make a really nice Almond milk although think it's more expensive than Blue Diamond.

My family and I have become devoted fans of Blue Diamond's unsweetened variety for cereal, iced coffee, or just straight up.  YUMMY!  We go through a half gallon or more per week.  And it has only 40 calories, vitamins A and D, plus potassium!  I found the sweetened version TOO sweet.  Not for us.

BTW - tried Silk's almond milk - YUCK!  Never will buy it again. 

I stay in south africa and have never seen Blue Diamond or Rice Dream! I have never liked milk and usually just skipped over it, using fruit juice over my cereal instead (it sounds odd but try it! orange or berry over muesli and/or cornflakes works well!). Generally rice and soya milk are expensive here but I've been drinking rice milk (i buy a 1kg bag of the powder and mix it myself) for the past year or so and LOVE it! I used to drink soya but it was just too rich for me. Rice milk is smooth and has a slightly sweet flavour. I could live off the stuff :D