Created by Swedish entrepreneurs, pea protein-based milk Sproud is now available in grocery stores in the United States and Canada.
Hot on the heels of the brand’s success in Europe, among consumers and coffee shops alike, Sproud is the latest plant-based milk to make its way to North America.
“Sproud as a brand is about being loud and proud and bringing people together. We are excited to now expand upon our European efforts and bring together people in North America who are as passionate about plant-based alternatives and sustainability as we are. We are eager for consumers in the United States and Canada to taste our delicious pea-protein milk and to disrupt the milk alternative category by offering something more sustainable and planet-friendly,” said Maria Tegman, global brand director of Sproud.
As alluded to in Tegman’s statement, Sproud is not your typical non-dairy milk. Rather, this pea protein-based alternative claims to be more sustainable than any other milk on the market.
First, Sproud’s milk is sold in eco-friendly packaging and contains no dairy, soy, nuts, or gluten. It is also non-GMO and has a shelf life of one full year (365 days, to be exact). Further, Sproud claims that their pea protein milk is at the forefront of carbon footprint reduction.
Their team of scientists spent years researching in the food and drink sector until they finally stumbled upon the yellow split pea. Not only did they discover that it can be turned into delicious, plant-based milk, but they also learned that it has a lower carbon footprint than any animal-based protein and any other dairy alternative on the market today.
Sproud’s peas put nitrogen back in the soil, which makes them a regenerative crop. What this means is that even after the peas are harvested, they contribute to the rebuilding of the soil’s organic matter, helping to restore soil biodiversity. This results in both carbon drawdown and an improved water cycle. Overall, one of the main reasons Sproud chose to create a plant-based milk out of the yellow split pea is due to its long-term sustainability.
In addition, the process that Sproud uses to create its products is also environmentally-friendly. First, the yellow split peas are grown and harvested in late summer in France (for European distribution) and in Canada (for North American distribution). Once harvested, the peas are then transported to the filling plants, located in Tingsryd, Sweden, and Toronto, Canada, respectively. At the plants, the peas are dried and their outer skins are removed, after which point they are sent to a nearby processing plant where the protein, starches, and fibres are extracted in order to be made into a protein-rich powder. Sproud claims that this process uses 10 percent less water than that required for almond milk, and also less water than what is used in the production of oat or soy milk. Different ingredients are then added to the pea protein, such as water, calcium, oat oil, or agave syrup (depending on the product), then the milk is packed in sustainable, TetraPak packaging and transported in a room temperature truck.
Further, in terms of taste and nutrition, Sproud tops the charts. All of Sproud’s products have five times as much protein as almond milk, and three times as much protein as oat milk. It also claims to be the closest plant-based milk to dairy milk, both in terms of taste and texture. Sproud products have a naturally creamy texture and neutral taste and are marketed as “planet-first products” that offer consumers “dairy-free alternatives with the closest taste to regular milk.” Due to its similarities to dairy milk, Sproud is well suited for everything from coffee and tea to smoothies and cereal. The brand’s mission is simple: to be the best tasting non-dairy milk on the market.
The plant-based beverage comes in four 1 litre flavours: Original, Unsweetened, Chocolate, and Barista. The latter is a professional version of their formula that was designed specifically for baristas.
Sproud is currently available to Canadian and American consumers both online and in-store. You can find out where it is sold near you through Sproud’s website.
