The Best Camel Milk: Shopping Guide and Recommendations (01/22)

Nestlé Nido Milk Powder, 2.5 kg

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20.83 GBP

Peak Dry Whole Milk Powder 2.5 KG

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22.99 GBP

100% pure camel milk powder from the UAE, no artificial additives - guranteed! 480 grams / 24ea sealed packets à 20 grams for individual consumption or as a gift (1)

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75.00 GBP

Chamelle Milk Powder 100g

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19.28 GBP

2 x 100g chamelle milk powder

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41.00 GBP

Country Range Dried Skimmed Milk Powder - 6x2kg

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55.99 GBP

Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying camel milk

What are the effects of camel milk?

The white gold of the desert is a popular drink that is low in sugar and very digestible. The effect of camel milk as a remedy is very great. Camel milk does not contain the proteins beta-lactoglobulin and beta-casein, which can trigger a milk protein allergy.

Kamel vor Pyramide — Camel milk is a healthy alternative to cow's milk and is also tolerated by people with lactose intolerance. (Image source: pixabay.com / StockSnap)

Camel milk is also said to be easier to digest for people with lactose intolerance. It is also low in calories and fat. Camel milk combines many beneficial properties that help maintain the health of the human body. Skin diseases, as well as inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract, can be cured by drinking the milk, which is easy on the stomach. In addition, camel milk has a high bioavailability and can therefore absorb dietary protein particularly well and convert it into the body's own protein. In contrast to cow's milk, camel milk contains antimicrobial factors such as lysozyme, lactoferrin and immunoglobulins. It therefore has a high biological value.

How healthy is camel milk?

Camel milk contains many vitamins A, B1, C and iron, helps to strengthen the immune system. Thanks to the high vitamin C content and the high number of immunoglobulins, the immune system is kept in good shape.

Vitamins	Coverage of the daily requirement of vitamins (in % per litre of milk)
Vitamin A	30%
Vitamin B1	24%
Vitamin C	less than 40%

According to various studies, camel milk brings relief and cure for lactose intolerance and other food allergies. It is also said to help with gallstone disease, gastritis, cirrhosis of the liver and hepatitis, oesophagitis, duodenitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and colitis. Even neurodermatitis, tuberculosis and cancer are said to be, if not cured, at least alleviated. Because camel milk contains an insulin-like protein, camel milk can regulate sugar levels. This fact is particularly interesting for diabetics. Because of the perfect mixture of nutrients, camel milk is very similar to human breast milk. In many nomadic cultures it is even used as medicine for malnourished children.

Does camel milk contain lactose?

Similar to cow's milk, camel milk also contains lactose. However, lactose in camel milk is more digestible even for people with an intolerance. In addition, the high number of immunoglobulins (antibodies) strengthens the general immune system.

How is camel milk obtained ?

Like cows, camel mares have four teats and can therefore theoretically be milked twice a day. But camel mares are stubborn and not as tolerant as cows. If a camel mare does not feel well, due to many different causes, she stops giving milk. In principle, camels are extremely resilient: Whereas a cow in a desert climate will go limp after four hours without water, a camel can go two weeks or longer without water. Compared to cows, which give between 25 and 40 litres a day, camel mares, however, give a maximum of 7 litres per animal per day.

Did you know that camel milk can be imported from Arabia into the EU since 2013? Since 2013, products made from camel milk can be imported into Europe. Among them are yoghurt, cheese, ointment and bath additive.

What products are made from camel milk?

Camel milk is used as a classic milk substitute, but can also be processed into milk and whey powder and thus serves as a basic ingredient for ice cream, sweets and chocolate. Products made from camel milk certainly include cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter, drinkable sour milk products and alcohol. You can substitute camel milk like any other milk in cooking and baking.

Did you know that the new trend is coffee with camel milk? In Dubai, you can get coffee and tea with camel milk, still known as camelatte and camelccino. These drinks are not only exotic, but also very healthy.

What is the advantage of camel milk over other types of milk?

The slightly higher content of unsaturated fatty acids is actually a slight advantage of camel milk over other types of milk.

Advantages

High protein content
High iron content
Regulates insulin levels
Good for the immune system
Similar to breast milk
Great taste

Disadvantages

Hard to find
High price

Finally, camel milk is a very good alternative especially if you are allergic to cow's milk as there are no known allergies to camel milk. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has named camel milk as one of the healthiest types of milk.

What is the taste of camel milk?

It's very surprising, but camel milk tastes a lot like cow's milk, only slightly saltier. Just like cows, camels eat mainly grass, which largely determines the taste of the milk. The taste of camel milk is very pleasant, which makes it even more enjoyable to drink.

What is the shelf life of camel milk?

If the camel milk is freshly bottled, it can usually be kept in the refrigerator for five days. But frozen camel milk can be kept for over a year. This is due to the antibacterial enzymes that are most likely responsible for the long shelf life of raw camel milk. However, the freshly thawed milk should be consumed within three days. It is also advisable to pay attention to the pasteurisation of dairy products, as pasteurisation kills microorganisms and germs. This also gives milk a long shelf life.

Monica Auslander Moreno, a nutritionist for RSP Nutrition, says that many camel products are not pasteurised, which can lead to severe food poisoning. For those who want to try camel milk, she says it is important to make sure the product has been pasteurised.

Decision: What types of camel milk are there and which one is right for you?

Basically, we distinguish between these types of camel milk products:

Camel milk powder
Camel milk capsules
Camel milk

In the following, we explain the different types and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In this way, we want to help you find the camel milk product that suits you best.

Camel milk powder

Nowadays, camel milk can also be sold as powder. The powder is obtained through a drying process. The drying process almost completely preserves all the important ingredients such as insulin, vitamins B and C, and iron.

Advantages

Ingredients are largely preserved
long shelf life

Disadvantages

relatively expensive

The powder can therefore be kept for about a year. Milk powder is as healthy as fresh milk. Camel milk powder can be liquefied back to the original camel milk by adding water.

Camel milk capsules

Instead of drinking camel milk, it is also possible to swallow capsules filled with milk powder. The capsules have a shelf life of two years and must be kept dry.

Advantages

easy to take
long shelf life

Disadvantages

Ingredients can be lost during production
relatively expensive

The camel milk powder in the capsules, as well as raw camel milk, do not contain beta-lactoglobulin, which can cause allergies.

Camel milk

Of course, you can also find camel milk in liquid form. It can then be used in almost the same way as cow's milk.

Advantages

Nutrients are preserved

Disadvantages

Relatively short shelf life
must be pasteurised, otherwise side effects occur

However, make sure that the milk has been pasteurised. Otherwise, severe side effects may occur after ingestion.

Buying criteria: These are the factors you can use to compare and evaluate camel milk

In the following, we will show you which criteria you can use to compare and evaluate camel milk. This will make it easier for you to get an overview and decide on a suitable and effective product. In summary, these are the following criteria:

Camel milk vs cow's milk
Camel milk compared to other milks
Price

In the following, you can read about the respective criteria and find out why it makes sense for you to purchase a product based on the criteria or not.

Camel milk vs. cow milk

There are quantitative differences between camel's milk and cow's milk, which are clearly visible in terms of proteins. Camel milk has a high whey protein content as well as a higher amount of lactoferrin. However, camel milk lacks β-lactoglobulin altogether and lactoperoxidase is only detectable in small amounts. These facts show that camel milk is very similar to breast milk. For this reason, camel milk is a suitable substitute for cow's milk.

Ingredients	camel milk	cow milk
Protein (g)	ca. 3,5	ca. 3,3
Fat (g)	ca. 3,3	ca. 3,7
Lactose (g)	ca. 2,6	ca. 3,9
Minerals (g)	ca. 0.8	ca. 0.7
Calcium (mg)	ca. 118	ca. 117
Iron (mg)	ca. 0.26	ca. 0.05
Vitamin C (mg)	ca. 2.37	ca. 2.0
Energy (kJ)	ca. 270	ca. 285

Camel milk is generally characterised by a higher iron and vitamin C content than cow's milk. At the same time, camel milk has a higher protein, mineral content than cow's milk. It also has hardly any sugar and is only half as fat as cow's milk.

Camel milk compared with other types of milk

Goat's milk

Goat's milk is the classic cow's milk alternative. The fat content is similar to cow's milk, but the milk contains more protein. The carbohydrates can prevent bacteria from settling in the intestines. The taste is a little harsh, depending on the manufacturer. The price is about 3 euros per litre in the supermarket.

Sheep's milk

Sheep's milk contains a lot of fat (6 percent) and protein. Because of its high calcium content, sheep's milk strengthens the bones. The lactose content is similar to that of cow's milk. In Germany, it is mostly used in the production of cheese or yoghurt. The price of fresh milk is from 5 euros per litre, available in organic shops.

Donkey milk

This milk has little protein and minerals. On the other hand, the fat content is low. Disadvantage for people with lactose intolerance: the lactose content is a whopping 10 percent. The taste is similar to cow's milk. The price as a powder is around 34 euros per kilo at Amazon.

Price

Due to the high cost, camel milk is already expensive, about 6 to 13 euros per litre. However, it is a very good alternative with many healthy effects. Camels give little milk per day (maximum 7 litres), compared to cows.

Types of milk	Price per litre
Cow's milk	Depending on the producer from 0.61 to 1.05 euros
Camel's milk	about 6 to 13 euros
Goat's milk	about 3 euros
Sheep's milk	from 5 euros
Donkey's milk	34 euros as powder per kg

This explains why camel milk and camel milk products are so valuable and expensive.

Facts worth knowing about camel milk

What is pasteurisation?

Pasteurisation is a heating process that kills microorganisms and germs so that you get a safe product with a long shelf life without any additives. Pasteurisation involves heating the milk to 72-75 degrees Celsius and then cooling it down again after 15-20 seconds of keeping it hot. Combined with proper refrigeration and an appropriate cold chain, pasteurised milk has a shelf life of 5-15 days.

Studies on camel milk

Ben Gurion University study

To prove the effect of camel milk, an Israeli study from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beer Sheba from 2005 is particularly popular. There, eight children suffering from a severe cow's milk allergy were given camel milk. After four days, all allergy symptoms were said to have disappeared.

Study by the Indian Camel Research Institute

The National Camel Research Institute in Bikaner, India, caused a sensation. Its studies proved that taking camel milk helped diabetes I patients to drastically reduce insulin dosage. Medical experts attribute the result to the high amount of sugar-lowering substances in the milk, which would not be decomposed by stomach acid.

Research at Vrije University

At the Belgian Vrije University, researchers are busy with the first experiments to isolate the antibodies of camel milk in order to be able to produce drugs for the treatment of cancer. They suspect that they could also be effective against AIDS/HIV, Alzheimer's disease and hepatitis C.

Camel milk in the cosmetics industry

Camel milk is a miracle weapon that provides perfect looking skin. Besides the health aspects of camel milk, its effect on the skin should also be emphasised. Due to the ingredients such as lanolin, vitamin C and elastin, camel milk ensures pure, supple and satisfied skin. Camel milk contains more lactic acid, which belongs to the group of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), than conventional cow's milk. This lactic acid helps to smooth out fine lines and even out slight discolouration of the skin, resulting in a beautiful complexion. Many face creams have camel milk as their main ingredient, as it has a very positive effect on the skin. Many neurodermatitis sufferers therefore often turn to camel milk soap, which soothes itching and reduces redness.