Califia Farms Introduces New Vegan Formulation for Protein Almondmilk Drinks

Anaheim, Calif. (PRWEB) March 05, 2015 – Califia Farms, the leading producer of premium, plant-powered beverages, today announced at Natural Products Expo West that its popular ready-to-drink Vanilla and Chocolate Protein Almondmilk drinks are now 100 percent soy and dairy free. Califia Farms Vegan Protein Almondmilk drinks come in a 10.5-ounce single serve bottle and are packed with six grams of an innovative nutrient-dense, pea and sprouted brown rice protein that includes fiber, B vitamins and magnesium.

Califia Vegan Almondmilk

Protein is an essential part of a daily diet and is a key building block for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. However, unlike fat or carbohydrates, our bodies do not store protein. As more consumers make health and wellness a priority, they are seeking out convenient, on-the-go protein sources that fit their busy lifestyles and protein drinks are quickly rising in popularity. In 2014, the segment was worth an estimated $178 million in wholesale dollar sales[1], and Euromonitor predicts the category will grow eight percent each year over the next few years[2].

Califia Farms Vegan Protein Almondmilk is a plant-powered alternative that can be used pre- and post workout, or as a meal supplementation, giving the growing number of dairy-free drinkers a protein-rich, tasty alternative to the ever-present whey protein. In fact, up to 75 percent of the earth’s population is lactose intolerant[3] to one degree or another, moving more people to alternative dairy products.

Califia Farms Almondmilk is known for its delicious, creamy flavor because, unlike other almond milks, it’s made from whole blanched, not roasted, California almonds using artisanal methods. In addition, Califia has developed a proprietary homogenization process and a locust bean gum replacement for carrageenan to keep its Vegan Protein Almondmilk indulgently flavorful with only 140 calories and 4.5 grams of fat.

“We’ve made the shift to a vegan protein to better serve the needs of our consumers who are looking for a completely plant-based protein drink alternative,” said Greg Steltenpohl, Califia Farms’ CEO. “This reformulation is 100 percent plant-powered and offers the same great taste as our earlier protein drinks. Not only is it GMO-free, soy-free and dairy-free, but it also marks our move to make all our products completely carrageenan free by the end of 2015.”

Carrageenan is a natural ingredient derived from seaweed that has been used as a thickening agent in everything from toothpaste to ice cream for decades, but, recently, there has been shift in consumer sentiment around this ingredient. As a company that values consumer feedback, Califia Farms has made the move to remove carrageenan from all its products by the end of 2015.

In addition, Califia Farms is launching its first shelf-stable Single Serve Almondmilks at Expo West. Available in 330ml Tetra Packages in Unsweetened, Vanilla and Chocolate flavors, the Single Serve Almondmilks are a healthy, dairy-, soy- and GMO-free alternative that are an ideal, nutritious, on-the-go beverage for anyone, at any age.

Thirty-six percent of consumers already consume dairy and non-dairy milk on the go. However, most single serve dairy and non-dairy drinks have excessive sugar content – up to 24 grams of sugar for some chocolate flavors. In contrast, Califia Farms Single Serve Almondmilk Unsweetened has no sugar while there are just three grams in Vanilla and only 12 grams in Chocolate. In addition, these new SKUs are also carrageenan-free.

About Califia Farms

Califia Farms’ mission is to deliver delicious and mindful nourishment inspired by the agricultural bounty of California’s great Central Valley. The company tripled its revenues in the almond milk category from 2013 to 2014 and is a leader in the revolution to de-commodify the food and beverage industry by creating innovative, healthy and great-tasting premium beverages that make it easy for consumers to go ‘plant-powered’ and dairy-free, without compromise. Founded in 2010 by a farmer’s co-operative based in the San Joaquin Valley and headed by beverage visionary Greg Steltenpohl, Califia Farms is a uniquely California company. Its Bakersfield, Calif. manufacturing plant uses artisanal processes to create healthy and delicious plant-based beverages, is eco-friendly, energy efficient and repurposes more than 90 percent of its post-production byproduct. Califia Farms is the fastest-growing natural beverage company in the U.S., as well as the leading brand in the natural products coffee drinks category.