Let's talk about goat milk.

theartistformerlyknownas

Any goat's milk aficionados out there? 

Back story: Without getting into too many details, I've had some kind of digestive... something... for a while (5+ years) that's been impossible to pinpoint the cause of, but when I gave up cheese for Lent I noticed that when I had a big glass of milk or a chai latte I would feel really icky. So I wondered if MAYBE I might need to cool it on the dairy A LITTLE for that reason, and probably just for the fatassness reason because I eat A LOT of cheese and milk is my go-to beverage. Drink some water girl, damn.

ANYWAY, I thought this was a super interesting read. And as I munch on the DELICIOUS goat's milk brie I got at Trader Joe's, thought I'd see if any Knotties/Knotters have anything to say about it.

http://www.mtcapra.com/benefits-of-goat-milk-vs-cow-milk/ 

JennyColada

I really like chèvre and goat cheeses. I've never drinken the milk though, or used it for anything other than cheese making.

Have you tried un-pasturized cow's milk?

theartistformerlyknownas

No, haven't taken the plunge on the milk yet. Or unpasteurized cow's milk.

I love chevre, but was amazed at how much the goat brie tastes like regular brie!

JennyColada

Well it's all just milk really, so I'm not too surprised that it tasted similar. Most of the flavorings from cheese doesn't come from the milk itself, but from bacteria or mold or other environmental factors.

theartistformerlyknownas

Yeah that's a good point. I guess I expected it to be tangier like chevre.

SmileDamnit

Linky no work for me

But on the subject of milk - I don't drink it so I my opinion is really pointless. I do love me some cheese, though. Any. ALL cheese. That said, FI is struggling with some digestion issues as of recent and has switched to goat milk and is a big fan. Do with that what you will.

JennyColada

lolo883 said:

Yeah that's a good point. I guess I expected it to be tangier like chevre.

When I first tried goat cheese, I expected it to be SUPER earthy, because that's how they always made it seem on TV, but I was surprised at how mild it was.

theartistformerlyknownas

So weird. Is this better: <CLICKY!> 

If not and you REALLY want to read it, google "mt capra benefits of goat milk"

Basically less allergenic than cow's milk, easier to digest because of smaller fat globules, less lactose, and better biochemical match to human milk than cow's milk is.

EarthToChelsea

When I was growing up, my babysitter was a goat farmer and we drank goat milk all the time! Since I grew up with it, I love it now. Some people (like my FI), find it a bit strange, especially when you're so used to cow's milk. It is in fact easier to digest though, which is definitely a benefit! 

BreMR

I've never had goat milk, but I have a bit of a sensitivity when I eat dairy/have cereal (bloat major) so I switched to almond milk, which is delightful without the side effects.

theartistformerlyknownas

BreMR said:

I've never had goat milk, but I have a bit of a sensitivity when I eat dairy/have cereal (bloat major) so I switched to almond milk, which is delightful without the side effects.

I use almond milk in my smoothies and on cereal, but I don't like how many additives it always seems to have (especially carageenan). And even the "unsweetened" kind has sweeteners (and salt!) in it.

jenna8984

I would definitely like to try it. I'm not real picky when it comes to food- I eat venisun and rabbit no big deal and I've had some weird stuff like guineau pig in other countries so I find nothing strange about goat. Is it just sold in normal grocery stores near milk or only specialty? I've never seen it but then again I've never looked for it.

I have heard before (don't know how true it is) that most adults lack the necessary enzymes to break down milk and dairy. So it's not an intolerance in everyone but that it causes bloat and poopy for a lot of people. I can relate to that, I don't think I'm intolerant but I know I'll need a bathroom 2 hours after eating a bowl of ice cream. Don't care- could never ever give up cheese and now I want this brie of which you speak.

theartistformerlyknownas

jenna8984 said:

I would definitely like to try it. I'm not real picky when it comes to food- I eat venisun and rabbit no big deal and I've had some weird stuff like guineau pig in other countries so I find nothing strange about goat. Is it just sold in normal grocery stores near milk or only specialty? I've never seen it but then again I've never looked for it.

I have heard before (don't know how true it is) that most adults lack the necessary enzymes to break down milk and dairy. So it's not an intolerance in everyone but that it causes bloat and poopy for a lot of people. I can relate to that, I don't think I'm intolerant but I know I'll need a bathroom 2 hours after eating a bowl of ice cream. Don't care- could never ever give up cheese and now I want this brie of which you speak.

I've only seen the actual goat's milk at Trader Joe's, although I admittedly haven't been searching around for it too much. I'm sure the crunchy stores have it too, although I go to those pretty rarely. I'd like to try it... it doesn't creep me out any more than drinking cow's milk (i.e. not at all. well maybe a little, when I think too hard about it. but not enough to stop drinking it).

I'm sort of of the belief that everyone is a little intolerant to everything, and that's why we all die eventually. I'm not about to start looking at cows as the bad guys. My general situation is the opposite end from the poopy problem though. Miscellaneous upchuck. It's strange.

I DO think they're all filled with way too much crap nowadays though, and I'm likely to believe hormones and whatnot share a bigger part of any blame than specific enzymes or proteins or whatever.