Whether it is from your neighboring dairy farm or local grocery store, goat milk isn't just for cheese. As a fresh and healthy alternative to cow milk, goat milk can't be beat. Think of goat milk soup as any soup that is made with milk. And don't let the urban myth of a funky taste scare you off from trying goat milk. Most milk drinkers can't even tell the difference.
Facts
According to the American Dairy Goat Association, more people worldwide consume goat milk than any other milk. At last count there were approximately 440 million goats across the globe squeezing out an estimated 4.8 million tons of milk annually. Keep in mind that a lot of that goat milk goes for cheese. In the United States there are an estimated 1 million goats producing milk. On a daily basis, a healthy dairy goat can yield 3 to 4 quarts of milk.
Misconceptions
A common misconception about goat milk is that is has a funny taste. In actuality, most milk drinkers say there is no difference in taste between goat milk and cow milk. If there is a funky taste to raw goat milk, the culprit is usually a randy buck hanging out with the dairy goats at milking time. If the milk is handled improperly, the buck's pungent scent can be passed onto the milk and provide a bitter taste.
Benefits
In the health debate of goat milk vs. cow milk, goat milk comes out on top. Cow milk goes through the process of homogenization before it can consumed. This is where fat globules are broken down. This process is skipped over in goat milk because it is naturally homogenized. And when it comes to vitamin content, goat milk wins hands down with 13 percent more calcium, 25 percent more vitamin B6 and 47 percent more vitamin A.
Goat Milk Soup
If goat milk is a healthier alternative and tastes the same as cow milk, that means it can be substituted into any soup recipe calling for milk. There are numerous cream-based soups ranging from cream of broccoli to tomato bisque that can be whipped up with goat milk. And don't forget the wide array of hearty chowders. Everything from New England clam to Southwest sweet potato will taste great with fresh goat milk.
Goat Milk Cheese
One the most popular uses for goat milk are goat milk cheeses. Most regions in Europe can lay claim to their own brand of goat cheese. From France, Chevre ( the French word for goat) is a rich tasting cheese that comes in many herb-flavored varieties. Feta from Greece, Caprino from Italy and Mato from Spain all use goat's milk. As a tasty topping to your goat milk soup, try adding some crumbled goat cheese.
Milk Your Own
The freshest goat milk could come from your own backyard. Goats get along fine in either warm or cold climates. The average weight of a mature female is between 120 to 135 pounds. That makes them a lot easier to manage then a hefty dairy cow weighing in at 1,000 pounds. Although they love to forage, they don't need a lot of roaming space and can help clear out the weeds.
Where to Buy Goat Milk
As more people turn toward healthier lifestyles, they're on the lookout for organic alternatives to basic food needs. Farmers' markets are springing up in urban centers all across America and often offer up "milked that morning" goat milk. With goat milk becoming more popular in the United States, it is readily available at local grocery stores. Take a closer look. It might already be on the shelves.
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