One of the most common questions we get on the homestead is “what’s the difference between goats milk and cows milk”?  An excellent question!  And the answer(s) are the primary reason we decided to raise dairy goats instead of dairy cows. There is definitely a difference in how the human body reacts to goats milk versus cows milk.

Answer:  Goats milk is easier to digest than cows milk.

There is a difference in fat molecule size. The fat molecules in goats milk are much smaller than the fat molecules in cows milk. Why does that make a difference? Well, it is similar to making a pot of soup with both large sized vegetables and small sized vegetables. If you cooked the vegetables for the same amount of time, your body would have a harder time digesting (chew, swallow, absorb) the larger vegetables than the smaller ones. This simple difference in the size of the milk’s fat molecules makes it much easier to digest.

Naturally homogenized.  You’ve seen what happens to raw cows milk when you leave it sitting on the self in the refrigerator for a while – it naturally separates and the cream floats to the top.  Well, to avoid this separation the dairy industry processes cows milk to homogenize it.  You’ve seen that printed on your milk cartons in the dairy aisle.  The great thing about goats milk is that it’s naturally homogenized – smooth and consistent without undergoing man-made processing.

Contains less lactose.   Our digestive systems produce enzymes to break down our food, especially sugar.  Goat milk contains less lactose (milk sugar) than cows milk, which makes it easier on your stomach since less of the specific enzymes are needed to break down the lactose.

Less allergenic.  On of the most common allergies in young children (especially under the age of 3) in the U.S. is a dairy allergy and it has a lot to do with a part of the proteins in milk called Alpha Casein.  The levels of Alpha Casein are about 89% less in goat milk which one of the major reasons people who have dairy sensitivities might may be able to consume goats milk and goat milk products as an alternative to cows milk.  

Nutrition.  Goats milk is very nutritious.  It is a great source of protein, contains less sugar (lactose), 13% more calcium, 25% more vitamin B6, 47% more vitamin A, and 134% more potassium than your everyday cows milk.

Taste.  Goat milk is definitely different than cows milk.  Depending of the breed of dairy goat and how they are feed will make a difference in the taste.  We raise Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats.  Last summer a group of elementary school kids came to our homestead for a days of their summer camp activities.  After they were done to the day, we asked them to participle in an experiment.  We offered them two small glass of milk , one was goat milk and one was store bought fresh cows milk.  We didn’t tell them them was which (blind test).  All they had to do was vote on which one they liked better.  The results:  24 out of 25 liked the goats milk better, one child wouldn’t taste either.

We have not bought any dairy products since we began milking goats five years ago.  We drink raw goats milk, make butter, many different hard and soft cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, ricotta, chèvre’, ice cream, etc.  Basically, anything you can buy at the grocery store in the dairy aisle we make out of goat milk.  It is fabulous!  

And if you are not raising your own goat milk, you can still find it in the dairy aisle at most grocery stores.  There are may “must-try” goat milk products to add to your shopping list.  We strongly suggest goat milk cheeses,  goat milk feta (especially on salads), goat milk yogurt, and goat milk ice cream (to die for).  

 

ENJOY!