Comparing Cow Milk & Goat Milk: which is the better choice for your family?
I get asked all the time which is better for you, cow milk or goat milk? The answer is…it depends! are nutritional powerhouses when consumed in their raw, whole state. Let’s dive in and look at taste, nutrition, digestibility, cost and more to find out which milk is the best choice for you and your family! Scroll to the bottom for a quick infographic if you want answers as a glance.
What does Goat Milk
Taste Like?
This is a hard one to answer. It depends on the breed, the diet and the cleanliness of the animals. If the milk is fresh and handled properly, there isn’t a huge difference between the taste of cow milk and goat. In fact, I’ve been able to switch milks on people and not have them notice. My favorite is serving fresh milk to people who swear goat milk is the worst only to find out they just drained a glass! If the thought of goat milk conjures words like pungent, strong or even nasty…odds are you had bad or mishandled goat milk. It should be mild, creamy and even slightly sweet. Goat milk is described by some as tangier than cow, but again, this should be slight.
There is also an indescribable quality. People will describe goat milk as “goaty.” Again, this should be a mild, if detectable sensation. But, if you become accustomed to drinking goat milk and suddenly pour a glass of cow milk, you may be surprised to find it tastes “cowy.” There’s no other way to describe this but to experience it.
On a personal note, I’ve raised dairy goats myself and I’ve tasted goat milk from different farms, off different shelves. There is a wide range of flavors! Holy goat farm Natural Milk has the best goat milk I’ve ever tasted! It is clean and sweet and fresh. I am a big fan!
Which is more Nutritious?
Many people assume goat milk is the healthier option. In reality, nutritional differences are slight, with goat milk higher in some elements, and cow milk in others. It kind of evens out. I’m posting a table with complete nutrients, (Data pulled from the NCCDB—Nutrition Coordinating Center food & Nutrient Database) but here are some highlights:
Goat milk is a little more calorie dense, though less of those come from sugars and more from fat and protein. Goat milk has twice the medium chain triglycerides that cow milk has which is good for immediate energy, immune support and cholesterol regulation. Goat milk has an alkalizing effect on the digestive system, and often lacks the mucous-forming reaction of cow milk.[1] Goat milk really shines in the mineral department. It is higher than cow milk in magnesium and calcium, and also in many trace minerals including iron, copper, and phosphorous. Cow milk, on the other hand, is significantly higher in folate, zinc, and B12. In the NCCDB, vitamin D levels are listed as equal in cow and goat milk, but in the USDA Food Composite Database, vitamin D is listed at 24% in cow milk and 7% in goat. That is a big difference and shows the variability in sample measurements! Raw milk from a cow on pasture will be significantly higher in vitamin D and rivals or even surpasses that of goat milk.
NOTE: It is important to take into account that we’re dealing with averages and generalities as it’s impossible to be completely accurate in comparing the two. Goat and cow milk profiles change depending on breed, diet, location, and even time of the year! For example, goat milk can have higher concentrations of calcium than cow milk between December and May, but lower concentrations between June and November.[2] At Utah Natural Meat, we’ve noticed the fat content (that beautiful cream line) increases in the winter months. This is another reason nutrition might not be as important a distinction between Goat and Cow as other factors and also more reason to make sure your animals were fed and raised in a healthy environment.
Nutrition Winner: Goat might take a slight lead, but nutritional differences are negligible, variable and overall balance out. Only specific health conditions or goals may cause a preference.
Which do you prefer: Goat or Cow Milk?
Need some help?
Talking to a nutrition therapist can help you figure out where you are on the spectrum of tolerance. Is raw milk a healthy choice for you? Should you start with ferments or go straight into milk? I offer affordable testing options to help identify which component, if any, of milk is causing you issues. Find more details here, or schedule a free 20 minute consult to discuss how dairy may fit into your plan.
