What is buckwheat?

Buckwheat is a climate-smart, inherently regenerative cover crop that produces a gluten-free, grain-like seed. It is a complete plant-based protein with all 9 essential amino acids. It’s worth repeating that despite its name, buckwheat is not wheat! Read our “Hey, Buckwheat” blog for more!

What does BAM stand for?

BAM stands for Because Agriculture Matters. We’re on a mission to introduce more climate-smart crops into popular food and beverage products to support soil health, personal health, and improve American agriculture. The word BAM is simple and catchy and you can decide how much (or little!) you want to pay attention to that mission, but we hope it serves as a friendly, subtle reminder that everything we eat starts with, and is dependent upon, our soil.

What’s the difference between Vegan and Plant-Based?

They are similar but not quite the same and typically refer to both diets and products. From a diet perspective, a vegan eats absolutely no animal based products whereas a plant-based eater eats a diet from plants, e.g., seeds, legumes, fruits, veggies, etc., which are all vegan, but might also include some animal products in their diet.

A plant-based food product means the finished product is made of primarily plant-based ingredients. BAM is made primarily from buckwheat, a seed, so BAM is both vegan and plant-based.

Where do you source your buckwheat?

Our buckwheat is 100% Organic and grown in North America. Buckwheat grows well in the upper part of the U.S. and Canada.

Are your products gluten-free?

Yes. Despite having “wheat” in its name, buckwheat is not wheat! It is a gluten-free, grain-free seed. Because BAM’s products are free from gluten, they are not certified by a third party. According to Beyond Celiac, buckwheat “can be an important part of the diet for anyone with a gluten-related disorder.”

Is BAM Organic?

Yes. At BAM we believe in using the highest quality ingredients possible and supporting farmers that grow organically. Our Original and Hint of Vanilla options are both certified USDA Organic. Extra Creamy BAM is certified “Made With Organic” ingredients, which means 75%+ of the ingredients are Organic. We are excited that Extra Creamy BAM will be certified Organic in 2024 when our favorite (and best-tasting) pea protein is certified!

Are your products Non-GMO?

Yes. All BAM products are certified by the Non-GMO Project, which means BAM is made without genetic engineering and all of our ingredients are free from GMOs. FYI, when you see a product is certified Organic, this is an indicator that the product is also Non-GMO as Organic products do not allow GMOs.

Are your products vegan?

Yes. A vegan product is one that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. All BAM products are vegan.

What is Profectein™ Ultra-Filtered Pea Protein?

We used the highest quality, best-tasting pea protein we could find and added a touch to only our Extra Creamy option. We picked the patented Profectein™ Ultra-Filtered Pea Protein for two reasons: (1) like buckwheat, pea is a complete plant-based protein which boosts Extra Creamy BAM to 8g of complete protein per serving and (2) unlike other pea proteins, this North American-grown, single-origin pea protein is minimally processed and delivers a super clean taste. Last but not least, the added protein helps BAM froth better in your morning latte. Check out the Our Ingredients page to find out more about all our of ingredients.

Can you tell me more about the ingredients you use?

Yes! It took more than two years of trial and error to make the perfect Buckwheat Milk. We knew our milk had to taste amazing, but we also spent countless hours finding simple, clean ingredients that would feel amazing in our bodies, too. Check out the Our Ingredients page to find out more.

What does Climate-Smart mean?

The term “climate-smart” describes crops that help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or sequester carbon. Buckwheat is a powerful soil-building, pollinator-friendly crop that the USDA has deemed “climate-smart.”

What is Regenerative Agriculture?

In its simplest form, regenerative agriculture is an approach for agriculture that focuses on improving and revitalizing soil health.

You might be surprised to know that the term “Regenerative” does not yet have a standardized definition. The state of California is the first government entity to develop a definition and will have one by the end of 2023. The secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) said, "One thing everybody shares is a commitment that it has to start with soil health." In its simplest form, that’s what regenerative means.

Buckwheat is an inherently regenerative crop that is known for improving soil health. BAM plans to be certified as a Regenerative product in 2024!

Why do you use plastic packaging?

BAM considered a number of options when deciding on a bottle to use. We landed on a recyclable plastic called PET as the best option from an environmental and cost perspective. Think glass is always better than plastic? Think again! Check out our interview with sustainable packaging expert for more information on sustainable packaging.

Are your bottles recyclable?

Yes! Please consider removing the outside label before recycling.