Raw milk as a concept takes some getting used to, but it does deliver superior health benefits to Pasteurized milk. Many who try it are very happy to keep right on drinking raw milk, enjoying the way it tastes and the way it makes them feel.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison that will help you make the decision that’s right for you.
Vitamins
Both raw milk and Pasteurized milk are rich in Vitamins A, D, E, & K. However, in raw milk, 100% of those vitamins are present and bioavailable. Only 50% of those vitamins are active in Pasteurized milk.
The same is true for beneficial minerals, which denaturize. Both forms of milk contain calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, and sulphur, but only raw milk retains 100% of those minerals.
Lactase
Raw milk retains lactase, the enzyme that helps people break down lactose. If you drink Pasteurized milk, then you can become prone to lactose intolerance. For many who are lactose-intolerant, raw milk is the only option that allows them to drink milk at all.
Probiotics
If you’ve been paying attention to recent studies, then you know that gut health impacts everything from metabolism and weight management to mental health. If consuming healthy probiotic foods is important to you, then raw milk is an easy way to get more of those beneficial bacteria. Pasteurization kills the good with the bad.
Understand Your Risk Tolerance
Raw milk is perfectly safe when it is harvested and handled correctly. It is vital to clean the cow’s udder correctly with a hot, wet towel before you begin milking. It’s also important to spray the first few squirts of milk into the ground just in case the milk at the tip of the teat still has impurities within it.
The bucket should be a stainless steel container. The milk then must be strained for debris. From there, the idea is to cool the milk to 40℉ as fast as possible to ensure bacteria counts don’t rise.
Every last piece of equipment is generally cleaned and sterilized during raw milk production.
For the vast majority of raw milk drinkers, these steps make raw milk a choice that is safe enough. If you’re not comfortable with the decision to try raw milk, it’s okay to stick to Pasteurized. Pasteurized milk won’t hurt you. It just won’t deliver the same level of nutritional benefits that raw milk will.
Enjoy Rich, Creamy Raw Milk
If the health benefits aren’t compelling to you, we still urge you to try raw milk at least once. You’ll be blown away by the rich, creamy taste and texture. You’ll get to enjoy milk in its natural state, and enjoy, at least for a moment, a more traditional way of eating.
Raw milk is available from Blessings Ranch as part of a co-op. We’re on a 2-week delivery schedule. If you want to try rich, creamy, raw A2 Jersey milk, head to our shop to reserve yours today.