What's Really in Our Raw Milk?

Have you ever wondered how farm-fresh raw milk stacks up against store-bought milk?

I actually think about it often. That’s one of the reasons why we send in milk samples on a regular basis. Technology can be a wonderful thing, and from a little vial of milk, we can get all kinds of information… what’s in the milk, is it healthy, is it safe, are the cow’s healthy and getting the nutrients they need, and so much more! After our most recent test results came back, I did some intense figuring (with the help of ChatGPT), and the results were nothing short of fascinating!

This information is just around the nutritional components of our milk - fat, protein, carbs (lactose) and calories. If you want to learn more about quality testing and cow health testing, check out this blog post!

Here’s how our current batch compares to standard whole milk from the grocery store:

* carbohydrates are calculated from lactose, which is the naturally-occurring sugar in milk.

So, what does all this data mean?

Well, I could just say that it means our milk is better than what you will find in that plastic jug at the store, but let’s add a little more detail to that. When compared to whole milk, which is the closest comparison…

• Our milk has more calories per cup, which means it’s a more nutrient-dense food than milk from the store.

• Our milk is higher in fat, which means it’s richer-tasing and since it is non-homogenized, that means you could skim off some of that cream to use in your coffee or to make butter!

• Our milk is slightly higher in protein.

All milk isn’t created equally. And when you are looking at milk from a small farm, milk from one day, week, month, year isn’t exactly the same as others…even from the same farm or cow! Big dairies and grocery stores consider this a bad thing, which is why milk from several days and several farms is mixed together and some of the cream is separated, and extra vitamins are added in. But we don’t like the sound of all that.

Unlike store milk, which is standardized and blended from thousands of cows to meet the same specifications year-round, raw milk reflects what’s happening on the farm. It changes with the seasons, the cows’ diet, and even the individual cow being milked. The same cow might give more cream in the morning vs the evening, or vice-versa.

Here’s what can affect the components and qualities of raw milk:

• Individual cow differences: Just like people, cows have their own metabolisms. Some naturally produce higher butterfat, while others make more protein. Different breeds are known for producing more cream or more solids, some breeds even produce milk of different colors! Ever hear of the “golden Guernsey” cow?

• Seasonal feed changes: In spring and summer, when cows are grazing lush green pasture, the milk often has higher omega-3s and carotene (giving the cream a golden tint).

• Winter feeding: When cows eat hay instead of fresh grass, the milk tends to have a slightly lower fat percentage — but a deeper, creamier flavor. This is why “summer butter” is bright yellow and “winter butter” is paler in color.

• Temperature and hydration: Hot weather can reduce both fat and protein slightly, while cool weather brings them back up.

Standardized milk is designed to be identical in every jug. Our milk tells the story of the land, the season, and the cows that produced it. Every batch is a little different — and that’s exactly how nature intended it.

If you’ve ever noticed that your cream line looks thicker one week or your milk tastes extra sweet another, now you know why. That’s not inconsistency — it’s authenticity.

Why does all this matter?

Having our milk tested gives us valuable insight, but it’s also a gentle reminder that food from a real farm isn’t a cut-and-paste process or a perfectly uniform shelf of the exact same mass-produced product. The fat, protein, and flavor of raw milk naturally ebbs and flows throughout the year, offering a true reflection of our cows and the seasons.

It’s one more reason to celebrate the beauty of local, seasonal food — straight from the farm to your family.

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