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Reviews / Treats

Pea Milk Review (Ripple) + Vegan Blackberry Banana Nice Cream

05/18/2016

We need to talk about pea milk. Because a new non-dairy milk substitute made from yellow peas hit the grocery store shelves 15 days ago and while I didn’t sit down this morning with the intention of writing a pea milk review before day’s end, the product piqued my interest so much when it crossed my radar that I researched it and taste-tested it myself as soon as possible. Although the plant-based/non-dairy milk category might appear already saturated, pea milk has some dietary and environmental benefits—in addition to an origin story worth hearing—which may ensure its widespread traction. Read on for details!

Unbiased Pea Milk Review: Evaluatiing Taste, Healthiness, and Sustainability. Click to read and get the bonus vegan Blackberry Chocolate Ice Cream recipe! GrokGrub.com

First things first: in case you were concerned about the reaction once you begin ordering “pea milk lattes” at your favorite coffee shop (and you might, after this review!), rest assured that the pea milk’s marketing team has this well in hand, and the stuff is waiting for you in your local Whole Foods dairy case by the much more appetizing name of Ripple. “Ripple” is explained in the company’s tagline of “When you drink Ripple, the positive impacts ripple through our world. Call it the Ripple Effect.” What is the ripple effect that they’re riffing on? The positive environmental effect of consuming a more sustainable crop (yellow peas require very little water to grow and process). Ripple reports:

  • It takes 93% less water to make Ripple than cow’s milk (it takes 1,000 gallons of water to make 1 gallon of cow’s milk)
  • It takes 85% less water to grow peas than almonds (it takes 1.1 gallons of water to grow a single almond)

[bctt tweet=”Hopefully almond milk drinkers will switch to Ripple, for the sake of California’s drought…” username=”grokgrub”]

According to the company’s website, there’s more to love about Ripple on the topic of reducing your consumption’s carbon footprint. Let’s take a deeper look (and also evaluate the product from a few additional important angles such as taste, healthiness, price and availability)!

Sustainability: In addition to savings on water consumption, peas apparently produce 70% fewer greenhouse gases than almonds, and 76% fewer greenhouse gases than dairy milk. Ripple packaging is recycled plastic and has a carbon footprint that’s 75 -80% lower than standard milk cartons. All ingredients in Ripple are GMO-free. Check, check, check. The only note of discord in Ripple’s sustainability symphony is that Ripple’s peas are sourced from France. Unknown if or when this will change to a domestic source. 

Unbiased Pea Milk Review: evaluatiing taste, healthiness, sustainability, price and availability. Click to read and get the bonus vegan Blackberry Chocolate Ice Cream recipe! GrokGrub.com

Taste: Ripple’s flavors are original, unsweetened original (thank you), chocolate, and vanilla. It doesn’t taste at all like peas. Do I need to repeat myself? Ripple tastes nothing like peas. How does it stack up against other choices? In my opinion, it’s very similar in flavor to unsweetened soy milk or almond milk, although creamier (compared to what I distantly remember of soy milk). It’s mild in flavor but enjoyable in texture, and more satisfying than regrettable low-fat or skim milk. As compared to coconut milk, since I personally have issues with the way coconut milk tastes, I use it only in baking (or heavily camouflaged with spices in a curry, or fruit in a smoothie bowl) rather than straight from the carton or can. In summary, I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and texture of the original unsweetened flavor—I did not sample the other flavors that contain added sugar—and pouring myself a glass is something I look forward to. [bctt tweet=” Only the subtle sweetness and creaminess of full-fat dairy surpasses Ripple, in my opinion.” username=”grokgrub”]

Unbiased Pea Milk Review: evaluatiing taste, healthiness, sustainability, price and availability. Click to read and get the bonus vegan Blackberry Chocolate Ice Cream recipe! GrokGrub.comHealthiness: Ripple touts the fact that it contains half the sugar of 2% cow’s milk, and that it contains 8 grams of protein per glass, the exact same amount as cow’s milk and eight times the amount in almond milk, but if you assumed that the only ingredient in Ripple was peas, you may be surprised that the ingredient list is significantly longer. Ripples ingredients are pea protein, organic sunflower oil, algal oil, vitamins, and minerals. Let’s break this down:

  • Pea protein isolate is readily available commercially, and probably more readily tolerated by a majority of the population than milk proteins. 
  • Sunflower oil is not a healthy choice, given that it leads to omega-3 versus omega-6 imbalance (which results in inflammation)1, is often processed with industrial chemicals and treated with toxic solvents, and contains trans fats… associated with an increased risk of various diseases, like heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.2, 3, 4
  • Algal oil (an ingredient I hadn’t heard of before researching Ripple) is an oil derived from algae and a source of omega-3, likely a more sustainable one than most sources of animal omega-3.  
  • Vitamin and mineral fortification is likely harmless.

Price and Availability: Ripple arrived in Whole Foods earlier this month, and will be on Target shelves in July.  Note: I accessed the store locator on Ripple’s site and followed its directions to my nearest Whole Foods, only to be disappointed to discover that Ripple was not in stock. I subsequently found it at the same Whole Foods location a few days later, but in my opinion it’s best to call ahead. Ripple retails for $4.99 for a 48-ounce bottle.

P.S. That origin story? Ripple is the brain child of Neil Renninger, PhD, and Adam Lowry, co-founder of the popular cleaning products brand Method. Last year Ripple snagged $13.5m in venture capital funding from  heavyweights including Khosla Ventures and  industry success stories such as Seth Goldman (Honest Tea) and Gary Hirshberg (Stonyfield Farms). 

My personal verdict: I’m fascinated by the sustainability potential if Ripple gains mainstream traction. Since I habitually avoid seed oils, however, I’ll be enjoying Ripple in moderation (such as in my vegan Blackberry Banana Nice Cream)! Speaking of the Blackberry Nice Cream… what is it? “Nice cream” is a frozen treat very similar to ice cream that requires only the use of a food processor (no ice cream maker required!) and that uses bananas as sweetener and to achieve a creamy texture. Even though it’s dairy-free, I don’t make nice cream very often because I’d eat it bowl after bowl! Like any treat, it’s best reserved for special occasions rather than as an every day indulgence.  

3 Ingredient Vegan Blackberry Banana Nice Cream features bananas, blackberries and Ripple (non-dairy milk made from peas!) for a luscious result. Click to read the recipe or pin to save for later... GrokGrub.com

Just make sure to keep some bananas and berries stashed in your freezer, and you’ll be able to whip up this Vegan Blackberry Banana Ice Cream in minutes.

3 Ingredient Vegan Blackberry Banana Nice Cream features bananas, blackberries and Ripple (non-dairy milk made from peas!) for a luscious result. Click to read the recipe or pin to save for later. | Fresh Planet Flavor

Vegan Blackberry Banana Nice Cream
 
Recipe Type: Dessert
Author: Fresh Planet Flavor
Ingredients
  • 4 bananas, peeled and frozen
  • 6 oz blackberries, frozen (reserve a few for garnish, if desired)
  • 1 1/2 cups Ripple
Instructions
  1. Slice the frozen bananas into 1/2″ coins, and place in a food processor with the frozen blackberries and Ripple.
  2. Pulse until the ingredients are chopped, then process continually until smooth and creamy.
 
Notes
The nice cream can be enjoyed with soft-serve texture straight out of the food processor, or hardened in the freezer for minimum 8 hours to achieve a crisper texture (as seen in the photos). In that case, be sure to allow the nice cream to thaw for a few minutes before attempting to scoop and serve.
3.5.3208
3 Ingredient Blackberry Banana Ice Cream is a healthier (and vegan) sweet treat that's just sweetened with fruit. Click to read the recipe or pin to save for later. GrokGrub.com


TAGS:10 ingredients or lessdairy freegrain freeno bakepeaRipple
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Rachel Marion

Blogging my obsession with beautiful home decor and personal style, tasty gluten-free recipes, easy DIYs, and adventurous frontier living.

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The Comments

  • Sophia
    05/18/2016

    That Ripple seems very interesting and healthy. The ice cream looks good as well.

    Reply
    • Grok Grub
      Sophia
      05/18/2016

      “Very interesting” is right!

      Reply
  • Chelsea
    05/18/2016

    This looks great! I’m going to have to try it out 🙂

    Reply
  • Theresa @DearCreatives
    05/18/2016

    I love the idea of making vegan “nice” cream. I can’t have ice cream and this looks sooo good! I will have to check out Ripple and try it. It’s great to have lots of variety for non dairy beverages. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Grok Grub
      Theresa @DearCreatives
      05/18/2016

      Nice cream is such a fun concept. 🙂

      Reply
  • Jessica Bradshaw
    05/18/2016

    YUM! That looks delicious. I have never heard of pea milk before. hmmm…

    Reply
  • Tash
    05/18/2016

    How awesome! Have you experienced any type of bloating after consuming this? I have tried pea protein powders in the past with a lot of discomfort, but I assume that this is obviously going to be a whole lot easier to digest. Thanks for sharing, I’m intrigued!

    Reply
  • Kamara
    05/18/2016

    I looove “nice” cream – this looks delicious! You’re reminding me to go pick up some frozen berries. I’ll have to hope Ripple comes out in Wholefoods in the UK – sounds great!

    Reply
  • Maacah
    05/19/2016

    Could this also be made with almond milk? My body doesn’t react well to peas.

    Reply
    • Grok Grub
      Maacah
      05/19/2016

      I think it would be best made with coconut milk, do you tolerate that?

      Reply
  • Angie
    05/20/2016

    Now I really want to try this pea milk, and that ice cream sounds amazing too!

    Reply
    • Grok Grub
      Angie
      05/20/2016

      You should! Love how great for the environment it is…

      Reply
  • Candice @ Whole Health Hacks
    05/25/2016

    I’m so intrigued to try out Ripple! I am not a fan of almond milk and have mostly been using coconut milk in lattes, cooking, etc., lately so it might be nice to add a new type of milk to the rotation. The “nice cream” looks great too! I recently posted a recipe for a chocolate java flavor that doesn’t require an ice cream maker. Love how easy it is to make in the food processor without missing any of the texture or flavors of ice cream! The best!

    Reply
    • Grok Grub
      Candice @ Whole Health Hacks
      05/27/2016

      Yum, chocolate java sounds like the best thing ever!

      Reply
  • Todd 'The Gate Guy Sf' Young
    07/16/2016

    If I send you an empty jar, can I get it back filled with BlackBerry Nice Cream?!? Hey, it never hurts to ask! ; ). Great article!

    Reply
    • Fresh Planet Flavor
      Todd ‘The Gate Guy Sf’ Young
      07/18/2016

      Ha, I’ll send some home with Joe one of these days!

      Reply
  • wendy
    09/22/2016

    I thought about purchasing Ripple “Milk” but do not like the “gums” (Guar and Gellan).

    Reply
    • Fresh Planet Flavor
      wendy
      09/22/2016

      Tell me a bit more about your concerns with guar and gellan gums.

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Rachel Marion
Hi, I’m Rachel Marion

Hi, I’m Rachel Marion

Blogging my obsession with beautiful home decor and personal style, tasty gluten-free recipes, easy DIYs, and adventurous frontier living.

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