Negosentro | Udderly Fascinating: 7 Types of Animal Milk People Consume Around the World | People opt for dairy milk alternatives for many reasons. You may have an ethical issue with large-scale milk production, you might not dig the taste, or dairy might not be readily available in your country. Even people who get sick from dairy sometimes find a type of animal milk that works for them. For example, the best brand of a2 milk has such low levels of a1 casein protein that many people can tolerate it well.
Whether you’re here out of curiosity or you’re on the hunt for a viable alternative to dairy, let’s meet seven animals humans regularly turn to for milk.
1. Goat’s milk
Just like the a2 dairy milk we mentioned in the intro, goat’s milk lacks the a1 protein which causes many people to have trouble digesting milk. For this reason, many people find that switching to goat’s milk and yogurt is enough to ease their tummy troubles. Just be warned: the taste will be a little sourer than you’re used to with dairy.
2. Horse milk
Why is it that we’re comfortable with cow’s milk but the idea of drinking horse milk turns our stomachs? Given this psychological aversion, you may be surprised to learn that horse milk can actually help calm your stomach. It is consumed by some people in Russia and central Asia, where it is believed to help with acid reflux and other gastrointestinal issues.
3. Sheep’s milk
Farmers in New Zealand are gradually building a new industry around sheep’s milk. The taste is similar to goat’s milk, and it outperforms cow’s milk on the amino acid front. So, we may soon see it popping up in the refrigerated section of our supermarkets.
4. Reindeer milk
Reindeer milk is commonly consumed in the colder parts of northern Scandinavia, where cows simply can’t survive. So, if you have your little ones leave out milk for Santa, it might be fun to have “Santa” leave them a gift of reindeer milk in return!
5. Zebu milk
If you ever travel to India, China, or Brazil, you will get a chance to try Zebu milk. These are the cows you’ll see in Hindu religious iconography – the ones with slender faces, perfectly curved horns, and humped backs. Their milk is comparable to that of a dairy cow.
6. Buffalo milk
The idea of drinking buffalo milk may sound outlandish to you, but we can confirm from personal experience that it is creamy and delicious. It’s also ideal for making decadent Juju dhau (aka “the king of yogurt”). They’re not kidding when they call it the king. One taste of Juju dhau, and you’ll never look at yogurt the same way again. It is primarily produced by the Newar people of Bhaktapur, Nepal. So, the next time you fly into Kathmandu, be sure to head to the historic Newari city to try this buffalo milk-based delicacy.
7. Yak’s milk
Another staple in Nepal and the Himalayan region in general, yak’s milk is richer in protein than most other animal milk varieties. Like buffalo milk, yak’s milk is extra-dreamy and delicious. In countries like Tibet, Nepal, India, and China, it is used to make the butter that goes into the famous Tibetan butter tea. Though it’s marvelous for warming yourself up quickly on a cold day, butter tea is most certainly an acquired taste. So, be prepared that you may not love your first sip!
The beauty of many of these dairy milk alternatives is that they’re far more ethically produced. So, if you’re an adventurous soul with a strong stomach, why not branch out and try something new?
Photo by Brian Suman on Unsplash
