Here's The Truth About Pecan Milk

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The hunt for the perfect non-dairy milk is at the top of my grocery to-do list. And, as any connoisseur of oat, soy and almond milk knows, there's a science behind getting non-dairy products to taste just right. From hemp to walnut milk, the ongoing milk-speriment or milkassaince, if you will, has spurred even more variations as of late. So, enter the latest milk-making nut: pecans.

Back in 2021, Texas-based company THIS PKN set out to develop a nutrient-dense, flavorful non-dairy milk that would be good for the environment. According to THIS PKN's site, the brand's founder, Laura Shenkar, "was working to preserve freshwater ecosystems in Central Texas and saw how pecan production motivated farmers to conserve water." Wanting to increase the demand for pecans so that farmers were more inclined to grow them, Shenkar developed pecan milk and creamers.

Pecans have "a higher ratio of antioxidants than any other common tree nut," according to THIS PKN, and are full of Omega-3s and a plethora of vitamins. But what does pecan milk actually taste like?

THIS PKN in Lattes

My first step in testing the pecan creamer was to put it in my frother and add it to a shot of espresso. This answered one of the biggest alt-milk questions: Does it froth? I'm sorry to report that it did not froth very well or get much volume. But on the bright side, most non-dairy milks only froth because of added oils that increase their fat content, so I'm okay with sipping weaker bubbles every now and then.

The Original Creamer imparted a nutty flavor and really brought out the taste of the coffee. I ended up using the full carton in one week because it gave my lattes the perfect consistency.

THIS PKN also sent over a carton of Sweet Vanilla Creamer, which has zero sugar and carbs because it uses stevia and monk fruit for sweetness. I hate the taste of artificial sweeteners, so this option was not for me. To give the brand a fair test, a friend with different taste buds tried it, and she actually preferred Sweet Vanilla and took the carton home with her.

Read More: The 6 Best Nondairy Milks Of 2023

THIS PKN in Coffee and Tea

I also made pour-over coffee and black tea to pair with the two THIS PKN creamers, and to answer another major alt milk question: Does it separate? Luckily, the pecan creamer held together well in both drinks, and it wasn't one of those "you have to stir every two seconds to keep it together" situations that can happen with almond milk.

The product was a welcomed addition to coffee and tea that left me and my fellow taste-tester with zero complaints.

THIS PKN in Cereal and on Its Own

Finally, I tried the Original pecan milk, the brand's flagship product, and its chocolate counterpart both alone and in cereal. The nutty, neutral flavor of the unsweetened milk paired well with my semi-sweet morning granola. You have to shake the bottle very well—it separates in transit, making the first pour pretty watery if you're not careful—but the consistency was great post-shake.

Like to the Sweet Vanilla creamer, the Chocolate milk tasted majorly artificial; I took a sip and felt like I was drinking a protein shake (which, with only two grams of protein per serving, was not quite worth it). However, for people who can tolerate—or even enjoy—fake sweeteners, this wouldn't be an issue.

Overall, THIS PKN's four products are a great addition to the world of non-dairy milks and creamers. The nutritional and environmental benefits will definitely keep me coming back for more.

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