Tricked by a Nubian

Posted June 22nd, 2007 by Jen in family life

“How’d ya like that milk?” I asked my husband with a twinkle in my eye. He had just eaten the last bite of sandwich I’d brought him for lunch, and he washed it down with the glass of milk I offered.

Nubian goat“Goat milk!” he exclaimed. Of course. I’d been teasing him for the past two weeks with the goat milk, entreating him to “just try it.” I’ve been buying the goat milk from my friend Catherine, who had more than her family needed. She is the Home School Mom that Heidi aspires to be. She milks her own goats, makes cheese, churns butter, grinds flour, sews dresses, and has five barefooted children running about that I swear just walked off the set of Little House on the Prairie. I’m not talented or patient enough for any of those endeavors, but Catherine will be training me to milk the goats for when she’s away on vacation.

So my husband knew the second I made the sly comment that he’d been tricked. By a Nubian. The Nubian goats Catherine owns produce a milk which has a very high butterfat content, giving it a better flavor than the milk of, say, an Alpine breed. Such a good flavor, apparently, that non-sophisticated milk drinkers can’t tell the difference between Nubian goat milk and the milk of, say, a cow.

My children have been unknowingly drinking the goat milk as well. Not a complaint or a passing doubt. Ah, but the minute I say “have a glass of goat milk,” it’s all protest. Some things are better left unsaid, and a little trickery can be a healthy thing. Literally quite healthy, indeed. Compared to cow’s milk, goat milk offers superior digestibility of both fat and protein content and there is a natural homogenization of goat milk. Not to mention the scores of vitamins and minerals.

And did you know that my fair Oregon is one of the few states where one can legally purchase raw goat milk commercially? Go Oregon! And watch out - you, too, could be tricked by a Nubian, especially if you come to my house. Would you like some milk and cookies, dear?

10 Responses

  1. Kathleen June 22nd, 2007 at 7:03 pm

    I’ve never tried goat’s milk, I’m not much of a milk drinker. In my coffee yes, but on its own no but I guess I’d be willing especially with some chocolate chip cookies.

  2. Jane June 22nd, 2007 at 7:15 pm

    My mom would put our goat’s milk in the freezer for a bit after milking and it would help get rid of the goaty taste. Sounds like your milk there doesn’t taste too strong anyways.

  3. Jen June 22nd, 2007 at 7:27 pm

    It has a delicious, mild flavor, gals! I do wish B.C. was a bit closer, I’d definitely have you over for the cookies and milk!

  4. Jen June 23rd, 2007 at 5:41 pm

    Sorry, Heidi, you’re away on vacation and so I can get away with my comment (for now…) ;-)

  5. Jenny June 24th, 2007 at 4:41 pm

    I don’t think I could drink anything but normal (cow) milk. The thought of anything else just makes me go “ugh yuck” xD

  6. Jen June 24th, 2007 at 5:10 pm

    Exactly, Jenny! It’s the thought of anything but cow milk, not the actual milk. :-)

  7. Anonymous June 24th, 2007 at 8:56 pm

    Tricked by a Nubian

    Some subtle trickery for her family’s health. And I love goats, so she gets a vote.

  8. Grace June 25th, 2007 at 3:48 am

    Visiting from COFL!

    I love goat’s milk and as a non-sophisticated milk drinker, I cannot tell the difference between a cow’s milk and goat’s milk!

  9. heidi June 25th, 2007 at 11:46 am

    Actually, that does sound like a wonderful lifestyle. But I would still get to dye my hair, shave my legs and wear funky clothes, right?

    I’ve often wondered about switching to goat milk, but I wasn’t sure how to make that happen. I’m glad to hear it doesn’t taste weird… :)

  10. Jen June 28th, 2007 at 9:38 am

    Heidi, absolutely, dye away, shave away, funk out!

    If you ever think seriously about switching to goat milk, I wouldn’t recommend store-bought. It’s more expensive and not as fresh - so it tastes “goaty.” Go fresh from the farm. When we go to Smith Rock, I’ll bring some in a cooler and let you try it.

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