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Cashew milk is a creamy plant drink made by blending cashews with water, then usually adding thickeners, salt and vitamins and minerals. Cashews are soft, so the drink comes out smooth, and many people like it in coffee and cooking. It is also a tree nut product, which matters for anyone with a nut allergy. One fact surprises readers: the USDA SR Legacy database, the standard reference behind most nutrition tables, has no cashew milk entry, so this guide does not invent cashew milk numbers. Below is what is known about cashew milk nutrition, how it compares with almond drinks, what fortification changes, and the allergy facts you need.
Peptide Labs does not sell cashew milk or cashew products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- USDA SR Legacy has no cashew milk entry; the carton's Nutrition Facts panel is the only reliable source of its numbers.
- Cashew drinks are mostly water, so the nutrients of whole cashews are diluted.
- Calcium, vitamin D and B12 come from fortification and vary by carton.
- Cashew is a tree nut under FDA allergen rules, and cashew and pistachio allergies often go together.
- The Dietary Guidelines 2020-2025 do not count nut drinks in the dairy group; only fortified soy beverages qualify.
Cashew milk nutrition: why USDA has no entry
We searched the USDA SR Legacy food list for cashew: it contains raw and roasted cashews and cashew butter, but no cashew beverage. The table shows two clearly labeled nearest entries instead: whole raw cashews, the ingredient, and unsweetened almond milk, the closest nut drink USDA lists. Neither row is cashew milk. Percent Daily Values use the FDA Daily Values printed on Nutrition Facts labels.
| Nutrient | Raw cashews, 1 oz (FDC 170162), NOT cashew milk | Almond milk, unsweetened, 1 cup (FDC 174832), NOT cashew milk |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 157 | 39 |
| Protein | 5.2 g (10%) | 1.0 g (2%) |
| Fat | 12.4 g (16%) | 2.5 g (3%) |
| Carbohydrate | 8.6 g (3%) | 3.4 g (1%) |
| Total sugars | 1.7 g | 2.1 g |
| Calcium | 10.5 mg (1%) | 482 mg (37%), added |
| Vitamin D | 0 | 2.6 mcg (13%), added |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 | 0 |
| Copper | 0.62 mg (69%) | 0.05 mg (6%) |
| Magnesium | 83 mg (20%) | 16 mg (4%) |
| Sodium | 3 mg (0%) | 189 mg (8%) |
The comparison shows why a nut drink is not a liquid version of the nut. Whole cashews are rich in copper, magnesium and fat, but a carton holds a small share of nuts in a lot of water, so a cup of the drink carries a fraction of those nutrients. Meanwhile the calcium and vitamin D in the USDA almond drink entry come from fortification; raw cashews have almost no calcium and no vitamin D. Expect the same pattern on cashew milk labels: low protein, modest calories, and calcium or vitamins only if added. For the whole nut, see our cashews guide.
Cashew milk vs almond milk
Cashew milk vs almond milk is mostly a question of taste, texture and allergy, because both are dilute nut drinks whose nutrition is set by the recipe and the added nutrients. USDA has entries for almond drinks but not cashew drinks, so a fair comparison relies on labels.
| Point | Cashew milk | Almond milk |
|---|---|---|
| USDA SR Legacy entry | None | Yes, unsweetened and sweetened versions |
| Texture | Usually creamier | Usually thinner |
| Protein | Low; check label | 1.0 g per unsweetened cup in USDA data |
| Calcium and vitamin D | Only if fortified | Fortified in the USDA entries |
| Vitamin B12 | Only if fortified | 0 in the unsweetened entry; added in the sweetened one |
| Sweetened versions | Common | USDA vanilla entry lists 15.0 g sugars per cup |
| Allergen | Tree nut (cashew) | Tree nut (almond) |
Neither drink is a protein source. If you want plant milk with protein close to dairy, fortified soy drinks are the option the Dietary Guidelines count as a dairy equivalent; our soy milk guide has the numbers. For almonds themselves, see our almonds guide. If nuts are off the table entirely, the sibling article on rice milk covers a drink without major allergens, and our guides to oat drinks and coconut drinks cover two more.
Is cashew milk healthy?
Whether cashew milk is healthy depends on the carton and on the rest of your diet. An unsweetened, fortified cashew drink is low in calories and sugar and can supply calcium and vitamin D. It provides little protein, and unfortified or homemade versions supply little calcium.
- Strengths: lactose free, creamy without dairy, low in calories when unsweetened, and often fortified.
- Weak points: low protein, nutrients depend entirely on the recipe, and sweetened or flavored versions add sugar.
- Lactose intolerance: cashew milk has no lactose; lactose-free dairy keeps dairy protein, and our lactase guide explains how it works.
- Additives: gums and thickeners are common; see our guides to xanthan gum and carrageenan.
Tree nut allergy and cashew milk
FDA allergen guidance lists cashew among the tree nuts, and tree nuts are one of the nine major food allergens that US labels must declare. Cashew milk is therefore not suitable for anyone allergic to cashews, and people with any tree nut allergy should ask their allergist before trying it. Cashew and pistachio belong to the same plant family, and a 2026 review describes pistachio allergy as strongly associated with cashew allergy through cross-reactivity. A European anaphylaxis registry study published in 2025 found cashew was the most frequent tree nut trigger of severe reactions in children. Hives, swelling, vomiting or trouble breathing after drinking a nut milk needs urgent care. For unclear symptoms, our elimination diet guide explains why testing should be supervised.
Fortification, babies and the dairy group
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 say plant drinks sold as milks may supply calcium but are not part of the dairy group, because their overall nutrition is not similar to dairy milk and fortified soy beverages; only fortified soy beverage counts as a dairy equivalent. The guidelines also say plant milks should not replace human milk or infant formula in the first year of life. A 2023 FDA draft guidance suggests plant drinks may carry a voluntary statement such as contains lower amounts of a nutrient than milk; it is a draft, so labels vary. If cashew milk is your main milk, our guides to foods high in calcium, vitamin D foods and B12 foods cover other sources.
Homemade cashew milk
Homemade cashew milk is usually made by soaking cashews, blending them with water and chilling the drink. Because cashews blend smoothly, many recipes skip straining, which keeps more of the nut in the glass and makes a thicker drink. Homemade versions have no added calcium, vitamin D or B12 unless you add them, so they are not a nutritional match for fortified cartons. Keep homemade nut milk in the fridge and follow your recipe’s storage time.
Reading a cashew milk label
- Fortification: look for calcium, vitamin D and B12 on the Nutrition Facts panel.
- Added sugars: compare unsweetened, original and flavored versions on the added sugars line.
- Protein: most cartons list a gram or two; drinks with added pea or other protein must name it in the ingredients.
- Nut blends: some cartons mix cashews with almonds or other nuts, and the allergen statement must name each tree nut.
- Sodium: salt is often added; the percent Daily Value shows how much.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cashew milk healthy?
An unsweetened, fortified carton is low in calories and can supply calcium and vitamin D, but it has little protein. Homemade and unfortified versions supply little calcium.
What is in cashew milk nutrition-wise?
USDA has no cashew milk entry, so numbers come from the carton’s label. Expect low protein and calories, with calcium and vitamins only if added.
Cashew milk vs almond milk: which has more protein?
Both are low. USDA lists 1.0 gram per cup of unsweetened almond milk, and cashew drink labels are usually in the same low range.
Can I drink cashew milk with a tree nut allergy?
Not without your allergist’s advice. Cashew is a tree nut under FDA rules, and cashew and pistachio allergies often go together.
Is cashew milk dairy free?
Yes, cashew milk contains no dairy or lactose, but check the label for shared-equipment statements if you have a milk allergy.
Can babies drink cashew milk?
The Dietary Guidelines say plant milks should not replace human milk or infant formula in the first year. Ask your pediatrician about older children.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Rice Milk: Nutrition, Arsenic Advice and Is It Healthy?, Cashews: USDA Nutrition per Ounce, Calories, Raw vs Roasted and Allergy Facts, Oat Milk: Nutrition, Added Sugars, Gluten and How It Compares to Milk.