Nutrition Diva Does growing almonds really waste too much water?
Dec 10, 2025
Dive into the debate over almonds' water usage, debunking the myth that one almond equals one gallon of water. Discover how almonds compare to other water-intensive tree crops and learn about the surprising efficiencies in almond production. Explore the environmental impacts of almond milk versus dairy, revealing that nut milks often have a lower water footprint. Unpack the economics of almond farming in California, where drought pressures intensify the debate, and hear how growers are adopting technology to enhance water efficiency.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Holiday Almond Traditions
- Monica Reinagel describes her household using more almonds during the holidays for gifts and recipes.
- She notes industry data showing almond sales jump in winter, illustrating seasonal demand.
Almonds Aren't Unique Water Outliers
- Almonds are water-intensive like other tree crops because of long seasons and large plant biomass.
- Pistachios, walnuts, and olives use similar or sometimes more water when grown in comparable climates.
Pick Lower-Water Plant Milks
- Choose plant milks like soy, pea, or oat if minimizing water footprint for lattes matters most.
- Almond milk uses less water than cow's milk but more than the top plant-milk options.