The extraordinary world of donkey milk: origin and enjoyment

Donkey milk at a glance: where it comes from, what’s in it, what it tastes like, and how to use and properly store fresh donkey milk, donkey milk powder, and donkey cheese.

4 min readBy DON DONKEY'S

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Contents
  1. Where donkey milk comes from
  2. What is in donkey milk
  3. How donkey milk tastes
  4. Fresh donkey milk, powder, or cheese?
  5. Donkey milk in personal care
  6. Donkey milk in the kitchen
  7. Storage and handling
  8. Frequently asked questions

Donkey milk is a rare type of milk that you can only get from a few suppliers. It comes from small farms, is milked in small quantities, tastes mild and slightly sweet, and is highly versatile – as a drink, in the kitchen, as cheese, and as an ingredient in personal care products. Here you will find a compact overview: where donkey milk comes from, what is in it, how it tastes, and how to store it properly.

35–45 kcalper 100 ml (approx.)
mostly under 1 gfat per 100 ml
around 25 litersof donkey milk for 1 kg of donkey cheese

Where donkey milk comes from

Donkey milk has been used for thousands of years. It appears repeatedly in accounts from ancient Egypt and antiquity, often as a precious and rare commodity. Little has changed since then: In addition to what her foal drinks, a donkey gives only about 1 to 2 liters of milk per day. It is milked by hand or in small quantities.

The donkey milk from DON DONKEY'S comes from European farms, is laboratory-tested in Germany, and delivered to you frozen. It is shipped on Mondays and Wednesdays.

What is in donkey milk

Donkey milk differs significantly from cow's milk in its composition. The following values are guidelines per 100 ml and vary as a natural product:

Component Donkey milk (approx.) Cow's milk (approx.)
Fat 0.3–1.8 g, mostly under 1 g 3.5 g (whole milk)
Protein 1.5–1.9 g 3.4 g
Lactose 6–7 g 4.7 g
Calcium 60–90 mg 120 mg

Donkey milk therefore contains less fat and protein, but more lactose than cow's milk. It also naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin. Important: Donkey milk contains milk protein and lactose. If you have a milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance, please consult a doctor before consuming it. You can find more details in the post Ingredients and nutritional values of donkey milk.

How donkey milk tastes

Many people are surprised when they try donkey milk for the first time: It is thinner than cow's milk and its consistency is more similar to low-fat milk. The high lactose content gives it a mild, slightly sweet taste. It usually lacks a typical "barnyard" flavor.

  • Pure: slightly chilled from the glass.
  • In coffee or tea: as a mild alternative to regular milk.
  • In muesli or porridge: the natural sweetness pairs well with oats and fruit.
  • In a smoothie: for example with banana and berries.

Fresh donkey milk, powder, or cheese?

Donkey milk is available in various forms. Which one is right for you depends mainly on how you want to use it:

  • Frozen donkey milk: as close to its original form as possible. Store it at −18 °C and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C.
  • Donkey milk powder: freeze-dried, space-saving, and easy to store. About 10 g of powder plus 90 ml of water makes around 100 ml.
  • Donkey cheese: a real rarity. Around 25 liters of donkey milk are needed for 1 kg of cheese.

Donkey milk in personal care

Donkey milk also has a long tradition in body care. According to legend, Cleopatra bathed in donkey milk. Today, donkey milk is used as an ingredient in creams, lotions, and shampoos. Such products care for the skin, moisturize, and ensure a pleasant skin feel. You can find an overview in our donkey milk cosmetics.

Donkey milk in the kitchen

Thanks to its mild, slightly sweet taste, donkey milk is well suited for simple recipes. Here are a few ideas to get started:

  • Overnight oats: Pour oats with donkey milk in the evening, let them soak overnight in the refrigerator, and serve with fruit in the morning.
  • Rice pudding or semolina porridge: Part of the usual milk can be replaced with donkey milk. The natural sweetness means you need less sugar.
  • Cold drinks: Mix donkey milk with cocoa, vanilla, or an espresso and enjoy it slightly chilled.

Because donkey milk is thinner than cow's milk, it will not be quite as creamy in sauces or desserts. It is best to experiment with small quantities.

Storage and handling

  1. After delivery: Place the donkey milk directly in the freezer (−18 °C).
  2. Thawing: Take out the required amount in good time and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C.
  3. Before consuming: Shake well, as the ingredients may settle during thawing.
  4. Preparation: Please follow the instructions on the label.

Frequently asked questions

Why is donkey milk so rare?

Because a donkey gives only about 1 to 2 liters of milk per day in addition to what her foal drinks, and it is milked by hand or in small quantities.

Does donkey milk contain lactose?

Yes, with about 6 to 7 g per 100 ml, it actually contains more than cow's milk, which has around 4.7 g. If you are lactose intolerant, please consult a doctor before consuming it.

How does donkey milk taste?

Mild, slightly sweet, and thinner than cow's milk.

Is donkey milk suitable for babies?

Donkey milk is not a substitute for breast milk or infant formula. If you have children or are pregnant or breastfeeding, please speak to your pediatrician or doctor beforehand.

About DON DONKEY'S

We offer donkey milk, donkey milk powder, donkey cheese and care products with donkey milk. The fresh donkey milk is milked by hand, frozen straight away and delivered to you chilled. View the range