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Donkey milk has a long and surprisingly diverse history in Europe. At times it was a luxury item on the royal court, at others an everyday product milked right outside the customer's door, and at times the basis for a rare cheese. In this post, we travel through some European regions and look at the customs that have developed around donkey milk – and which of them are still alive today.
Why donkey milk was something special everywhere
One reason runs through all regions: donkey milk has always been scarce. A donkey gives about 1–2 liters of milk per day – and only when it has a foal that also drinks itself. It is milked by hand and in small quantities. Anyone who wanted to offer donkey milk therefore needed many animals, a lot of time and patience. This rarity shaped the reputation of the milk in many cultures.
Today is no different: Our donkey milk is also milked by hand and in small quantities. You can read more about the reasons in our post Why donkey milk is so rare.
The Mediterranean: Legends from Egypt and Rome
The best-known story comes from ancient Egypt. According to legend, Cleopatra bathed in donkey milk, and hundreds of donkeys are said to have been kept for this purpose. This cannot be proven, but the story is still enjoyed being passed on today.
There are also such reports from Rome. Ancient authors mention that Poppaea Sabina, the wife of Emperor Nero, was supposedly accompanied by donkeys on journeys to have milk for her baths. These anecdotes show one thing above all: donkey milk was a status symbol of the upper class.
France: Milk right outside the front door
In France, donkey milk received a very special, very everyday custom in the 19th century. In Paris, traders walked through the streets with their donkeys. The milk was freshly milked right outside the customer's front door – refrigerators did not exist yet, after all. This image of the donkey on the pavement is still one of the best-known scenes in the history of donkey milk.
Later, the custom disappeared with the modernization of cities and the dairy industry. Donkey milk became a niche that only a few farms still preserved.
Italy: Small farms and old breeds
In Italy, donkey milk has a long rural tradition. Donkeys were mainly working animals in agriculture and transport there for centuries. With the decline of this work, many donkey breeds became rare. Some farms therefore began to keep donkeys for milk production as well. This gave the animals a new task, and old breeds remained visible.
Typical for these farms are small herds, grazing, and milking in small quantities. The milk is usually processed fresh or chilled there.
The Balkans: A rare cheese made from donkey milk
On the Balkans, donkey milk is closely associated with a culinary specialty: donkey cheese. Because donkey milk contains little casein, cheese making is elaborate. Around 25 liters of donkey milk are needed for 1 kg of donkey cheese. Accordingly, this cheese is rare and considered an unusual delicacy.
And today? Donkey milk as a gourmet product
Today, much of this comes together in Europe: the history as a luxury item, the rural tradition of small farms, and culinary curiosity. At DON DONKEY'S, the donkey milk is milked by hand on European farms, laboratory-tested in Germany, and delivered frozen. Store it at −18 °C and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C. Please follow the instructions on the label.
It is usually enjoyed pure and well chilled, in coffee, in muesli, or in desserts. The taste is mild and slightly sweet – completely different from what many expect. If you like it even more unusual, try our donkey cheese; you can find the ingredients on the label.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Europe is donkey milk traditionally used?
Historically mainly in the Mediterranean region, in France, Italy, and on the Balkans. Today there are donkey milk farms in various European countries, mostly with small herds.
Did Cleopatra really bathe in donkey milk?
This is a legend that cannot be reliably proven. But it shows how valuable donkey milk was already in antiquity.
Why is there so little donkey cheese?
Around 25 liters of donkey milk are needed for 1 kg of cheese, and donkey milk itself is already scarce. In addition, cheese making is elaborate because of the low casein content.
What does donkey milk taste like?
Mild, slightly sweet, and thinner than cow's whole milk because it contains less fat.
