“So, what kind of milk do you drink?”

As soon as people hear that we have a dairy farm they ask me this question, “So, what kind of milk do you drink?” So, I decided to dedicate this post to just that! If you have other questions feel free to email us or leave it in the comments!

Both Amy and I have pretty exciting weekends ahead of us, while it might not compare to the Royal Wedding its big stuff for us county folk! Can’t wait to tell you all about it next week!

Do you drink raw (unpasteurized) milk?

• No, we don’t drink raw milk. Not to say that I haven’t ever had it. There are a number of reasons no one on the farm drinks raw milk. The main one is that drinking raw milk is like drinking the water in an underdeveloped country, you may not get sick but there is a small chance that you might. If you live and have grown up in that country (farm) your body is a custom to what is in the water but if you would serve it to someone who hasn’t grown up in and around that country or farm there is a small chance that they could get sick. Even though it is a small risk it is one we are serious about. Since its introduction more than a century ago, pasteurization has been recognized around the world as an essential tool for ensuring that milk and dairy products are safe. A simple, effective method to kill bacteria without affecting the taste or nutritional value of milk, pasteurization typically involves heating raw milk to 161.5 degrees for 15 seconds and then immediately cooling it. “Ultra-pasteurization,” a process that heats milk at a higher temperature for a longer period of time, is used to extend a product’s shelf life. 

Do you drink organic milk?

• No, I don’t buy organic. We are not an organic farm. There is a common myth that organic milk is the only milk that is antibiotic free. No fear! All milk is free of antibiotics!! The U.S. dairy industry tests all milk entering dairy plants to ensure that antibiotics are kept out of the milk supply. This testing starts at the farm and again at the processing plant. A sample of milk from the tank is tested for antibiotics at the processing plant before it is ever even unloaded!

What do you think about soy or almond milk?

• First of all it isn’t really milk. Milk comes from mammals. I like to eat natural foods and cows milk is as natural as it comes! While we raise soybeans I could never drink soy milk. I just can’t get over the taste. There are people out there that can’t drink cows milk and I think soy and almond milk are great for them. There is a product out that is called Lactaid that is cows milk with the lactose removed so those who are lactose intolerant can still enjoy cows milk. 

What brand of milk do you buy?

• We sell our milk to Dean’s so I either buy Dean’s or the cheapest. 

What percentage of milk do you buy?

• I buy 2 %. Here is a breakdown for you.
  Whole Milk: Is 3.25% fat (96.75% fat free) and contains 150 calories per 8 oz serving.
  2% Reduced-Fat Milk: Is 2% fat (98% fat free) and contains 120 calories per 8 oz serving.
  1% Reduced-Fat Milk: Is 1% fat (99% fat free) and contains 100 calories per 8 oz serving.
  Fat-Free/Skim or Non-Fat Milk: Is 0% fat and contains 80 calories per 8 oz serving.
  A bottle of coke has 170 calories….and no nutritional value…. just sayin’ 🙂 

How can I tell where my milk is from?

• There is a great site that shows you where your milk and dairy products come from, http://whereismymilkfrom.com/. Just plug in the plant code and it will tell you what city it was processed in. I do this a lot and it’s amazing how the dairy products I buy at the grocery store are from local farms and from Indiana! 

How long does milk last after the sell date?

• Open containers of milk can be good for up to one week after the sell by date. Milk stays fresh and    tastes better when stored between 34 and 38 degrees.