Food Liquids Vegetarian friendly

Review: Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milk

Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milkSoy milk divides people. Some swear by it, others hate it. As much as I enjoy the stuff, soy milk doesn’t taste like cow’s milk. Soy milk tastes like soy milk, and soy milk is an acquired taste. Sorry, soy boosters.

But soy isn’t the only game in town when it comes to milk alternatives. A few years back, a friend recommended chocolate almond milk as a way to ease me into the mysteries of milk from beans, nuts and grains. The logic, so it goes, is that everyone loves chocolate-covered almonds, so how could anyone hate a liquid version of the quintessential fundraising snack? My friend was right.

Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate Almond Milk is so thick, it feels like drinking motor oil. (Note: NEAROF does not condone drinking motor oil.) It’s not slimy or slick, but rather smooth and heavy on the tongue. It’s like drinking a piece of absurdly rich, velvety sweet chocolate cake.

The almond taste is present right away, then fades back, then comes on strong in the finish. It’s a toasted, nutty taste, a roasted almond flavour that’s more mixed nuts than marzipan.

But does it make a decent cup of hot chocolate? I microwaved a cup of the stuff, then added a homemade marshmallow to the top. The result?

Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milk
Doesn't look all that great, does it? It doesn't taste terrible served hot, but well-chilled is far better.

Meh. Served hot, it’s not nearly as good. The mouthfeel becomes strange, and the best parts of the flavour fall back, allowing less pleasant elements to come forward. Even the chocolate mint marshmallow wasn’t enough to save it. If you’re going to give it a try, make sure it’s plenty hot, and not even kinda-sorta lukewarm. I didn’t like it, but maybe you will. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

So, yeah. Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate is great for folks who love chocolate milk, but can’t handle either lactose or the taste of soy milk. And it’s damned delish. Just don’t turn it into hot chocolate.

Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milk
Not big on soy milk? Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milk may hit the spot.

RATINGS AND DETAILS

Cost: About $5 for a 2 litre carton.

Value for cash money: Costs more than milk, but the value is good for how delicious (and nutritious) it is.

Availability: This is the first time I spotted this brand of chocolate almond milk in my supermarket’s refrigerator case. Other types of chocolate almond milk are widely available.

Nutrition?: 120 calories per 250 ml. Fortified like crazy, just like a lot of soy milk. And yet, very little protein compared to soy milk.

The verdict: The perfect gateway drug to the mysterious world of milk alternatives. And I mean that in a good way.

Silk True Almond Dark Chocolate almond milk
It looks like dark chocolate milk, but the texture is thick and smooth. Hard to describe.

7 Comments

  1. Wow! I gotta tell you that this is the BEST when it’s microwaved. I love it heated up. It’s like a thick and creamy hot chocolate. I also like the thin skin that forms on top when I nuke it. It reminds me of an old-fashioned hot chocolate. I like your description of how it’s smooth and heavy on the tongue, cause that’s how it feels to me, too. I’ve talked to a few people, and this seems to be one of those drinks that you either like hot or cold (and never the twain shall meet – or something like that).

  2. I love it. It’s the best way to have almonds and chocolate at the same time. I don’t like to eat almonds but they are good for me. I like it cold. I drink it every day.

  3. I love this stuff too, but I notice…no protein, and sugar content is somewhat on the high end. 22g or so of sugar? I guess its worth it when it comes to the taste. The plain soy milk is kind of hard to bare. Either vanilla or choc. is the way to go. CHEERS!

  4. Jack,
    I mixed it up with protein powder this morning which fixes the no protein problem….but yeah, you’re right….that’s a lotta sugar. Almost everything DELICIOUS has too much sugar I find.

  5. This is SO tasty I drink a carton at least a week! Gorgeous flavour almonds and chocolate go together so well. I like it well chilled. In terms of calories I think it’s decent for something so delicious!

  6. Is this a soy product which I understand is not good for young boys to drink?

  7. The dark chocolate with a few frozen blueberries,frozen strawberries and a banana in the blender is awesome.I have it at least 4 times a week.