Should You Be Drinking Camel's Milk?
Packed with probiotics and enzymes, camel's milk has us think about hopping on the hump.
The latest cow’s milk alternative doesn’t come from a fruit, veggie, or nut—it comes from a camel. Yes, we’re talking dromedairies, folks.
While camel’s milk has long been popular in the Middle East, it is a relative newcomer to the US: The FDA approved the sale of the milk here just 2 years ago. Approximately 70 Whole Foods Markets in California and the Rocky Mountain region now sell camel’s milk, bottled by California-based manufacturer Desert Farms. The company also ships nationwide.
So is it time to hop on the caravan? Maybe. From an allergy standpoint, camel’s milk is easier to digest than cow's milk because, although it contains lactose, it has different proteins not known to cause digestive issues. The drink is also high in probiotics and produced on small farms, where animals are pasture-raised, hormone-free, and grass-fed with non-GMO feed. And compared to cattle ranching, camel farming is loads more environmentally friendly because it requires less water and land.
MORE: Are You an "Ignorant Hipster" for Drinking Almond Milk?
As for nutrition, camel’s milk has 3 to 4 g of fat per 8 ounces (whole milk has 5 g) but doesn’t come in different fat percentages like cow’s milk does. Camel’s milk has three times the vitamin C, however, and is packed with antibodies that help fight viruses and bad bacteria, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Researchers have also found that insulin in camel’s milk is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream than insulin from other sources. In addition, the milk has been shown to improve pancreatic function and reduce blood sugar levels.
Wow, this all sounds great—until you remind yourself that the stuff comes out of a foreign, humped-back creature. Put your xenophobia aside and try some. Yes, the color is a little yellower than cow’s milk and the flavor, a bit saltier, but the consistency and overall taste are similar to cow’s milk.
One downside: Camel’s milk will cost you. Due to the small number of camels in the US (estimates range from 3,000 to 5,000), a pint of Desert Farms milk retails for $18. Ouch.
Packed with probiotics and enzymes, camel's milk has us think about hopping on the hump.
The latest cow’s milk alternative doesn’t come from a fruit, veggie, or nut—it comes from a camel. Yes, we’re talking dromedairies, folks.
While camel’s milk has long been popular in the Middle East, it is a relative newcomer to the US: The FDA approved the sale of the milk here just 2 years ago. Approximately 70 Whole Foods Markets in California and the Rocky Mountain region now sell camel’s milk, bottled by California-based manufacturer Desert Farms. The company also ships nationwide.
So is it time to hop on the caravan? Maybe. From an allergy standpoint, camel’s milk is easier to digest than cow's milk because, although it contains lactose, it has different proteins not known to cause digestive issues. The drink is also high in probiotics and produced on small farms, where animals are pasture-raised, hormone-free, and grass-fed with non-GMO feed. And compared to cattle ranching, camel farming is loads more environmentally friendly because it requires less water and land.
MORE: Are You an "Ignorant Hipster" for Drinking Almond Milk?
As for nutrition, camel’s milk has 3 to 4 g of fat per 8 ounces (whole milk has 5 g) but doesn’t come in different fat percentages like cow’s milk does. Camel’s milk has three times the vitamin C, however, and is packed with antibodies that help fight viruses and bad bacteria, according to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization. Researchers have also found that insulin in camel’s milk is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream than insulin from other sources. In addition, the milk has been shown to improve pancreatic function and reduce blood sugar levels.
Wow, this all sounds great—until you remind yourself that the stuff comes out of a foreign, humped-back creature. Put your xenophobia aside and try some. Yes, the color is a little yellower than cow’s milk and the flavor, a bit saltier, but the consistency and overall taste are similar to cow’s milk.
One downside: Camel’s milk will cost you. Due to the small number of camels in the US (estimates range from 3,000 to 5,000), a pint of Desert Farms milk retails for $18. Ouch.
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