Goat Milk Products
Lower your cholesterol,
watch your fat intake and
pay attention to the calories
Common refrains for today's diet
conscious consumer.
Goat's milk has 30% less cholesterol, 13% less lactose, and contains 13%
more calcium than cow's milk.
Goat milk products are able to handle these food restrictions and
provide many other health benefits. Goat milk is easier to digest for
many people and it provides a tasty alternative to soy products with
increased Calcium. The majority of Canadians, know
little about this other white milk or
the products made from a natural source. Looking overseas, cow's milk
sits in the back seat and Goat Milk rests at the top of the
milk consumption category. You and your family can make that
happen here in Ontario.
The first milk used by man is likely that from the wild goat. If
early man was able to combat sabre-tooth tigers and hunt larger species,
it not too far of a stretch to imagine capturing and milking a doe.
The
goats of today are one of the oldest domesticated
species of animal used by mankind. Archaeological evidence supports this
by
revealing that man managed goat herds over 10,000 years ago. Just as man has
evolved over the intervening years, so too has the collection of milk.
Modern farmers are supported by government and dairy processors' regulations for both the collection and storage of milk. The evolved breeds of dairy goats provide ample quantities of quality goods. The milk bucket and stool are long gone as producers now manage large herds of specially bred dairy goats. Living better through science, means that the twice a day milking routines have drastically changed from even the 1970's. Consumers can expect to taste the results in quality products that range from whole and 2% milk to cheeses and yogurts. Soaps and lotions are also improved and foster health benefits for a variety of conditions.
Gone are the off flavours and lumpiness that once was
characteristic of some goat's milk from the 70's and 80's. Milking practises have changed all
that. Feed is carefully regulated, as well as housing and milk
collection. The milk house design and function conform to ministry
standards that set out cooling temperatures and periodic agitation of
the milk to ensure uniform temperatures and a safe product before
collection by certified dairy processors. Each farm's milk production is
tested and kept separate until after arrival at the dairy so that any
contamination or poor quality products can be rejected from further
processing. Hand milking is a thing of the past, except for a few family
pets, as vacuum pumps gently retrieve the milk from previously
sterilized teats and the liquid is transferred through cooling pipes to
a properly insulated central collection tank. The delicious ambrosia is
then maintained and stored between 1 and 20
C. The bulk tanks are set to automatically agitate for a minimum of five
minutes in each hour (as per Regulation 761 of The Milk Act)
These Regulations are the same for cow's milk collections.
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) use
the Lab Services at the University of Guelph for raw milk testing.
Random monthly tests on the milk of every producer of Standard Plate
Count, Somatic Cell Count, Inhibitor and Freezing Point. Milk processors
often require additional testing of weekly composition and Somatic Cell
count, Coliform and E.Coli Counts on a minimum monthly basis. Further
analysis checks for inhibitors such as antibiotics and composition
affirming the composition of 100 % goat milk.
Producers are encouraged to achieve milk component levels for Milk fats
-of 3.5% and protein of 3.0%.
Goat milk contains only trace amounts of alpha S1 casein. This is the
major protein in cow’s milk and is likely the cause of an allergic
reaction. Approximately 10 % of those who are allergic to cow milk can
drink goat milk. Enjoy the full nutritional taste of whole milk, by
drinking Goat Milk rather than soy 'milk' products or relatively
tasteless skim milk.
As immigration helps spread the nutritional benefits of goat milk, the preconceived ideas
based from the past are slowly being changed as Canadians are trying
out both the goat milk and associated milk products which are finding their
way into more local retailers.
Dr Oz of
Oprah Winfrey fame, did a series on Longevity found in other
countries. Attributed longer life in Sardinians [who] also drink
goat's milk, which is high in calcium and good for your heart. "Plus,
researchers believe it could protect against Alzheimer's and heart
disease, ..." Not only is goat's milk healthy, it's easier for your
stomach to digest and is also good for people who are lactose
intolerant. "It has tryptophan, that same sort of mellowing agent that
turkey has," Dr. Oz says. "The fat particles in goat milk are much
smaller than in cow milk, so you don't have to mix it up. And when you
mix up fat globules, in some people it makes enzymes that irritate your
stomach." 
As mentioned at the top of this article goat milk has some established
health benefits. The OGMPA, with the help of Grow Ontario, OFA
and private donations completed through independent labs
Goat Milk analysis of whole and 2%
milk. 2% milk showed 0% cholesterol in one lab analysis. There were increased
levels of Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Potassium and Vitamins C,
B1,B2, and B3 in both types providing these essential minerals for body growth and
development.
Testing was confined in those studies to milk samples. It has been
reported that food products from goat milk carry forward the same
characteristics and supply a few more attributes that make them so much
more than food stuffs for Lactose intolerant individuals or a
replacement for Mother's own Milk, when breast feeding is not able to be
established. Of note in the other health benefits is that Goat Milk
Cheese is lower in fats than it counterpart made of cow's milk. Many
chèvre (goat cheeses) have as little as 1/4 the number of calories for
conventional milk products.
So if all of these benefits exist why the reluctance to replace cow's
milk and it's associated products? You might ask the same of the decline
of high carbohydrate or trans fat laden foods. It takes time for society
to get the facts and then embrace a change. Read the article
The Goodness of Goat Milk which
contain the analysis mentioned previously, to set about a change in your
lifestyle.
Do you still wrinkle your nose at the idea of regularly drinking goat milk and using goat milk products in some of your family-favourite recipes? Then let your sense of good taste provide the way to overcome your reluctance. Free samples are often part of Goat shows in your area, or at ethnic events. A proven route to take is to allow your sweet tooth to savour Goat Milk Fudge and then move on to Ice Cream or Yogurt made from Goat Milk. As you sample many varieties and types of Cheese, the next natural step in increasing your culinary awareness and experience is to pick up a litre or two of goat milk. That refreshing glass of calcium rich goat milk is more readily absorbed by your body and than any calcium tablet, to directly affect teeth and bones for all ages. The calcium also take on an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism, accelerating fat loss to a greater degree. Studies point to the profound effect of dairy milk in promoting muscle protein accretion after resistance training, as well as being the new sport drink providing natural tasting and fulfilling rehydration after intense exercise.
2% Goat Milk Nutrition Hewitt's Dairy
Once you start looking, you will be surprised at how many local stores
are carrying both milk and goat milk products. If you don't see them in
the refrigerated section, ask the store's dairy manager. Hewitt's Dairy,
Hagersville Ontario has been promoting and marketing over 150,000 litres
weekly to a number of processors in and out of the province and their
products are found in many cities.
Before you know it, you too will pick up this refrain
Milk for more than just kids!
Visitors to the site have said this about Goat Milk:
" An anaphylactic reaction to cow's milk products has me drinking
Goat Milk (Adult visitor)"
Especially for Infants and Children -Products in addition to milk itself
to be avoided by those
with milk allergy include yogurt, butter, cheese, and cream.
Goats' milk products may also need to be avoided.
"Don't like the content in Cow's milk"
"goat milk is an excellent alternative for babies with digestive
problems
e.g. for babies not being able to digest formula.
In Ontario, Doctors usually recommend soy formulas.
in other countries, goat milk is the recommendation of choice
Also On Site -
Goat Milk Facts and
Analysis
