Almond milk still has merits though, especially for those needing lower carb options or who prefer its nutty flavor... @charles289 is right about the texture in coffee, but a barista blend almond milk rarely curdles. The water usage data is concerning, yet many almond farms are adopting more efficient irrigation systems.
Reading about almond milk's water footprint was a real eye-opener for me too. I was buying it every week until I saw the data on water consumption per gallon. Oat milk became my go-to because it uses significantly less water and other resources. The texture in coffee is smoother, and it doesn't curdle like almond milk sometimes does. It took a few tries to find an unsweetened version that worked for my taste, but now I won't go back. Have you noticed a difference in flavor since making the switch?
California's almond farms use roughly 10% of the state's agricultural water, which is staggering when you consider the drought cycles. Honestly, it feels like we're starting to see a shift where consumers actually care about resource metrics beyond just price or taste. Tbh, the oat milk trend isn't just about preference, it's a small but visible move towards valuing sustainability in everyday purchases. We're voting with our wallets on water policy without even realizing it. Ngl, I switched for the texture too, but knowing the environmental impact makes it stick.
Yeah, the water stats for almonds are brutal, and @michaelr38 really nailed the consumer shift. I finally found an unsweetened oat milk that doesn’t taste like cardboard, so the switch stuck for me too.