Elmhurst 1925 has expanded beyond its plant-based milk portfolio with the launch of Clean Protein, a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage line delivering 27g of plant-based protein per serving while maintaining the brand’s signature clean label formulation.
The new line marks Elmhurst’s entry into the growing RTD protein category and is designed to provide high protein with minimal ingredients, no artificial additives and a creamy texture derived from nut-based milks.
Each 11oz single-serve carton contains 190 calories and as little as 3g of sugar, using a blend of cane sugar and monk fruit for sweetness.
The beverages are formulated with protein from mung beans and peas, providing up to 44% of the recommended daily protein value along with naturally occurring nutrients such as iron, fibre, calcium and potassium.
Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand innovation at Elmhurst 1925, said: “Today’s protein consumers are looking for better options that help them meet their macros without sacrificing ingredient integrity, great taste, or convenience."
According to the company, the line is free from gums, seed oils, carrageenan, cellulose gels and artificial sweeteners, ingredients commonly used in the RTD protein category.The beverages are vegan, gluten-free, Non-GMO Project Verified and OU Kosher.
“With Clean Protein, we’re bringing shoppers a ready-to-drink option that eliminates the usual category tradeoffs," Mahmoud added.
Clean Protein debuts with four flavours formulated to deliver a smooth texture without the chalkiness often associated with plant-based protein beverages: Pistachio Crème, made with pistachio milk and vanilla extract; Sea Salt Chocolate, featuring cocoa, cashew milk and a pinch of salt; Vanilla, crafted with real vanilla extract and cashew milk and Strawberries & Cream, made with strawberry puree and cashew milk.
The Pistachio Crème flavour highlights the brand’s use of pistachio milk as a base and taps into growing consumer interest in pistachio-flavoured products across plant-based dairy alternatives.
All products are made using Elmhurst’s HydroRelease process, which uses water to separate and recombine the nutritional components of nuts, grains or seeds.
The company says the method maintains ingredient integrity without the need for emulsifiers while also supporting sustainability efforts by upcycling production waste into energy and operating on renewable hydropower.
Clean Protein is currently available online and will debut in brick-and-mortar retail with Sprouts Farmers Market on 27 April, with additional grocery distribution planned.
The launch positions Elmhurst to compete in the rapidly expanding RTD protein segment while extending its clean-label plant-based platform into a new aisle.
