Cashew or Pea Milk – Choose the One That Suits You the Best

Rohit Panwar

Cashew milk Versus Pea milk is the latest topic of debate among alt-milk lovers. Since both these milks are the new additions to this segment, people find it difficult to choose between the two. 

In this blog, I will compare Cashew milk and Pea milk to help to choose the one according to your taste, needs and preferences. 

Cashew Milk Versus Pea Milk

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A Concise Compilation of Differences Between Cashew Milk Versus Pea Milk 

Let us compare cashew milk vs pea milk benefits and nutrition through a table before delving into the details- 

BASE INGREDIENTS
Cashew Milk

Cashews & Water

Pea Milk

Yellow Peas & Water 

TASTE
Cashew Milk

Earthy & Sweet

Pea Milk

Chalky & Mild

DAILY INTAKE
Cashew Milk

1 Cup

Pea Milk

1 Cup

CALORIES
Cashew Milk

24*

Pea Milk

80*

FAT CONTENT
Cashew Milk

1.99 g*

Pea Milk

4.5 g*

PROTEIN CONTENT
Cashew Milk

1.01 g*

Pea Milk

8 g*

CALCIUM CONTENT
Cashew Milk

10 – 451 mg*

Pea Milk

28 – 440 mg*

RECOMMENDED TIME
Cashew Milk

Morning 

Pea Milk

Morning

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Cashew Milk

Positive

Pea Milk

Positive 

VEGAN FRIENDLINESS
Cashew Milk

Yes

Pea Milk

Yes 

ORAL HEALTH OUTCOME
Cashew Milk

Good

Pea Milk

Good 

TUMMY HEALTH OUTCOME
Cashew Milk

Good

Pea Milk

Very Good 

BODILY COOLING EFFECT
Cashew Milk

Good

Pea Milk

Very Good

BODILY HYDRATION EFFECT
Cashew Milk

Good

Pea Milk

Good

ADDITIVES
Cashew Milk

Honey & Maple Syrup

Pea Milk

Vanilla & Banana

*Source: USDA; Quantity defined is 1 cup

The tabulated comparison above provided you with the basic differences between Cashew milk and Pea milk. To clear these further, let me elaborate on each point.

Ingredients Used to Prepare Cashew Milk VS Pea Milk 

Cashew milk is made from soaked cashews and purified water. Commercial packs additionally have a few stabilizers to keep the milk fresh for a longer duration. 

To prepare Pea milk base ingredients are split yellow peas and water. You need to add oil such as sunflower or canola oil so that it won’t separate while blending. 

Cashew Milk Versus Pea Milk – Which Tastes Better?

Let me start by saying – Cashew milk is delicious! It is earthy and sweet in taste with a hint of nuttiness. The texture is smooth and creamy which goes quite well with curries and smoothies. 

Pea milk might not be that appealing as it has a chalky and seedy taste like legumes. You may find it slightly bitter at the end of your sip. The colour is a little bit yellowish compared to Cashew milk but the texture is almost the same.

Difference in Daily Intake Of Cashew Milk and Pea Milk

For both the milks Cashew and Pea, recommended quantity per day is 1 Cup. Though they are full of many nutrients consuming them in moderation is a must. 

If you can’t have one cup of these alt-milk in one go then you can split the consumption into 2 or 3 parts. You can add them to recipes or drink them straight up.

Cashew Milk vs Pea Milk – Which Provides Your More Calories?

Cashew milk has fewer calories than Pea milk. This makes Cashew milk a better choice for people who follow a low-calorie diet. 

On the other hand, if you have a highly active lifestyle then Pea milk will be good for you. It keeps you energized for a longer time. Choose the option that is best suited to your needs and level of daily activity.  

Cashew Milk vs Pea Milk – What to Choose to Lose Weight?

People who are aiming to reduce weight or want to maintain a healthy weight, usually avoid high-fat containing food and beverages. 

When we compare the two, we find that Pea milk has more fat content than Cashew milk. However,  Pea milk has Omega-3 fats which are considered good fat for health. So, it should not be a matter of concern if you are having Pea milk in moderation.  

Comparing Cashew Milk Vs Pea Milk Protein

Compared to Cashew milk, Pea milk is an excellent source of Protein. Pea milk is one of the few plant-based milk which is comparable to dairy milk in terms of protein. 

Other high protein plant based milks are Soy milk and Peanut milk. But, soy and peanut allergies are some of the most common allergies throughout the world. In that case, Pea milk is the safest plant-based alt-milk choice to get enough protein.  

Which Alt-Milk Gives You More Calcium – Cashew Milk or Pea Milk?

Just like all other plant-based milks, Cashew and Pea milk also have less calcium compared to dairy milk. If you are making these milks at home, make sure you add other sources of calcium to your diet.

To make this milk comparable to Farm milk, companies fortify them with Calcium. The quantity of calcium differs from brand to brand. It is always good to check the calcium amount on the packaging before buying them. 

Right Time of the Day to Have Cashew Milk Vs Pea Milk

It is suggested to add cashew milk and pea milk to your morning routine. There are plenty of ways to consume pea milk and cashew milk with your breakfast. 

Cashew milk goes very well with smoothies whereas pea milk is a good choice for coffee. Pea milk is neutral in taste which makes it perfect for coffee.

Which Milk Is More Eco-Friendly Between Cashew Milk and Pea Milk?

Cashew milk and Pea milk both are eco-friendly options compared to Dairy milk. Dairy products have high carbon footprints in comparison to plant based milks.

In the case of Cashew milk versus Pea milk, Pea milk is a better choice for the environment. Legumes need less water to grow compared to nuts. Yellow peas, which are used to make Pea milk, generate less greenhouse gasses and it doesn’t need much fertilizers to grow. 

Can You Include Cashew Milk and Pea Milk in a Vegan Diet?

A lot of people are opting for Veganism, a way of life where you don’t use animal products. This is done for ethical reasons or to protect the environment. 

Cashew Milk and Pea milk both are non-dairy milks and they can be added to Vegan diet. In fact, you can also prepare vegan products like yoghurt and cheese from these milks.

Which One Has More Positive Impact on Your Oral Health: Cashew Milk or Pea Milk?

Commercial packs of Cashew milk and Pea milk are fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D, which are considered very good for your oral health.

Pea milk is also a good source of iron. Iron is helpful to stop tooth decay and gum diseases. Besides that, Pea milk and Cashew milk have lots of other vitamins and minerals too which are considered good to maintain oral hygiene. 

Cashew Milk vs Pea Milk as Stomach Friendly Alt-Milks

Cashew milk and Pea milk both have a lot of dietary fibre. Dietary fibre is helpful to pass the stool easily and keeps the digestive system healthy. This makes both these milks gut-friendly non-dairy milks. 

But if you have nut allergy then you might face stomach pain, nausea and diarrhea because of Cashew milk. In such a situation, Pea milk is a safe option which doesn’t trigger any common food allergy. 

Which Cools You Down Better- Cashew Milk or Pea Milk?

To prepare Cashew milk and Pea milk plenty of water is used. This makes them a good choice to bring the body heat down. 

Compared to Cashew milk, Pea milk is better to cool you down as soaked legumes have a naturally more cooling impact. This summer try this newest plant-based milk to control your body heat. 

Cashew Milk Vs Pea Milk as Hydrating Beverages 

Pea milk contains potassium which is an electrolyte. Cashew milk also has potassium and magnesium. These electrolytes are helpful to keep us hydrated by maintaining the water level in the body. 

Cashew milk and Pea milk are also water-rich fluids and they help you to stay hydrated for a longer time. 

What Can You Add in Cashew Milk and Pea Milk to Enhance the Flavors?

Use honey or maple syrup to make Cashew milk sweet. You can add cinnamon and nutmeg powder to reduce the earthiness in the flavour. 

Bananas go very well with Pea milk. You can also make fluffy pancakes with Pea milk. I will recommend adding Pea milk to your pancake mixture next time and feel the difference. 

So, getting back to the question Cashew milk Vs Pea milk, which is better?  Well, it all depends on your needs.  However, between the two, I would say Pea milk has an advantage as it is not only dairy and lactose-free but it is also nut-free and soy-free. It is also more protein-rich and more sustainable. 

If you have any other questions regarding this topic, do write to me. I will be happy to answer your queries and clear your doubts. 

Rohit Panwar

Hi! I'm Integrated Nutrition Coach Rohit Panwar. I hold twin Certifications from IIN, New York & SAFM, Massachusetts. I am a passionate vocalist of holistic lifestyle and have fully committed the past several years to educate & empower people towards their wellbeing. Despite a successful yet hectic corporate stint of 21+ years, I have prioritised nutriment in my life. I truly hope my personal journey from illness to wellness helps everybody reading this forge their own path.