Cashew milk is a plant-based, lactose-free milk alternative made by blending cashews with water. Store-bought varieties are typically ground, soaked and filtered, producing a dilute product with very low calories; unsweetened store-bought cashew milk can be around 25 kcal per cup. By contrast, homemade unstrained cashew milk — often made at roughly a 1:4 cashew:water ratio — yields about 152 kcal, ~12 g fat and ~4 g protein per cup, so texture and nutrition depend heavily on preparation.
This review synthesizes reporting and measurement from food-writing and nutrition sources: a primer on uses and dietary attributes (The Kitchn), a comparative nutrition table and method notes (BODi citing Savor Nutrition), tasting write-ups of branded products (Fifteen Spatulas, CNET), and real-user mentions (Reddit). Where sources disagree, I flag those inconsistencies rather than smoothing them over.
High-level verdict: cashew milk is a good low-calorie, dairy-free option in unsweetened store-bought form and a creamy, nutty alternative when made at home. Best aspects: low-calorie store options (~25 kcal/cup), creamy homemade results (~152 kcal/cup) and easy grinding of cashews. Worst aspects: variable protein (store <1 g, homemade ~4 g), flavor can be strongly cashew-forward for some brands, and nutrition/labeling varies widely between products and sources.
Nutrition varies dramatically by method and brand
Store-bought unsweetened cashew milk is typically diluted and filtered; BODi's summary lists unsweetened store-bought cashew milk at about 25 calories per cup with <1 g protein and ~2 g fat, while a homemade unstrained cup (1:4 cashew:water) contains roughly 152 calories, 12 g fat and 4 g protein per cup.
Fortification changes the picture: BODi's table shows some store-bought cashew milks providing ~450 mg calcium per cup (comparable to fortified almond or oat milks), whereas unfortified homemade versions can be as low as ~11 mg calcium per cup and higher in minerals like magnesium (≈66 mg) and copper (≈0.6 mg).
Taste is nutty and sometimes polarizing
Tasting notes in the brief describe cashew milk as a 'light, nutty' drink with some brands tasting like 'liquid toasted cashews' (Fifteen Spatulas) and Elmhurst singled out as tasting very much like the nuts themselves (CNET).
That profile is a strength if you want a cashew flavor, but a liability if you prefer a neutral milk substitute — CNET warns Elmhurst may be 'only pleasant if you love cashews.' Reddit mentions Silk's vanilla unsweetened cashew milk positively, showing brand-level variations in sweetness and flavor handling.
Texture ranges from thin (store) to creamy (homemade)
Because many commercial cashew milks are filtered and diluted, the mouthfeel is often light; homemade unstrained cashew milk is much creamier due to the higher nut-to-water ratio and contains more fat (≈12 g/cup in the homemade example from BODi).
Practical note: cashews grind easily, so homemade recipes often don't require straining, which preserves more texture and nutrients compared with filtered store versions.
Label accuracy and inter-brand differences are significant
Across the sources there are clear discrepancies: BODi presents store-bought unsweetened cashew milk at ~25 kcal/cup, while one ingredients site (Perkchops) lists a 1-cup value of 480 kcal — a conflict that highlights the need to read labels and understand whether a product is diluted/filtered, strained, or unstrained/homemade.
Fortification, added sugar, and flavorings change both nutrient content and taste: some brands add calcium to reach ~450 mg per cup, while others leave native cashew mineral levels far lower. Expect wide variation between Silk, Elmhurst and generic store brands.
How cashew milk stacks up against almond and oat milks
BODi's comparative table shows unsweetened almond milk at ~37 kcal/cup and unsweetened oat milk at ~60 kcal/cup, placing store-bought cashew milk (≈25 kcal/cup) at the low end for calories but typically lower in protein (<1 g) than those rivals.
If you want a cashew-specific flavor and creaminess, Elmhurst is noted for authenticity by CNET; if you want a mild, low-calorie base, unsweetened store-bought cashew offerings (example cited by BODi) are among the lowest-calorie plant milks listed.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Unsweetened store-bought cashew milk can be very low-calorie (≈25 kcal per cup) according to BODi
- ✅ Homemade unstrained cashew milk is considerably creamier and richer (≈152 kcal, ~12 g fat and ~4 g protein per cup)
- ✅ Naturally lactose-free, vegan and free of dairy, soy and gluten (The Kitchn)
- ✅ Cashews grind easily so many homemade recipes require no straining (BODi)
- ✅ Store-bought fortified options can provide about 450 mg calcium per cup (BODi)
- ❌ Store-bought versions typically contain very little protein (<1 g per cup) while homemade yields only ~4 g protein per cup (BODi)
- ❌ Flavor can be strongly cashew-forward; CNET notes Elmhurst may be 'only pleasant if you love cashews'
- ❌ Wide inconsistencies in published nutrition data (e.g., Perkchops lists 480 kcal per cup versus BODi's 25–152 kcal range) mean consumers must read labels carefully
- ❌ Filtering and dilution in commercial products reduces naturally occurring minerals compared with unstrained homemade milk (e.g., calcium and magnesium differences in BODi data)
How It Compares to the Competition
- Elmhurst Cashew — Tastes very much like whole cashews — praised for authenticity but potentially too nutty for users seeking a neutral milk (CNET).
- Silk Cashew Milk (vanilla, unsweetened) — Mentioned positively by users for flavor on Reddit; a branded store option representing the diluted, low-calorie commercial style.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk (generic) — Slightly higher in calories than store-bought cashew milk in BODi's table (~37 kcal/cup) and often used as a neutral low-calorie alternative.
- Unsweetened Oat Milk (generic) — Higher in calories (~60 kcal/cup per BODi) and creamier than many diluted nut milks, so a different textural/energy profile to consider.
- Good Karma Flax Milk — Recommended by a Reddit commenter as an alternative; not cashew-based but suggested as another non-dairy option for shoppers exploring plant milks.
Who Should Buy This & Who Should Skip It
Buy it if: Buyers who need a lactose-free, vegan milk substitute and want a low-calorie store-bought option (unsweetened varieties ≈25 kcal/cup) or those who want a creamy, nut-forward homemade milk (≈152 kcal/cup) should consider cashew milk. Also suitable for people avoiding soy and gluten.
Skip it if: Skip cashew milk if you need a high-protein dairy replacement — store-bought cashew milks typically provide <1 g protein per cup and homemade only ~4 g. Also avoid if you dislike pronounced cashew flavor; some brands like Elmhurst are notably cashew-forward.
Search Purchase Options
Use these links to search for Cashew milk on trusted marketplaces. The links open in new tabs; if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
* Affiliate links: you pay the same price either way.