Buyer protection
Contents
- 1. No foal, no milk
- 2. The foal drinks first
- 3. Milked by hand
- 4. More lactose than cow's milk
- 5. Low in fat and thin
- 6. Lysozyme and lactoferrin
- 7. Cleopatra's bath
- 8. Donkey cheese is a rarity
- 9. Shock-frozen at −40 °C
- 10. Also available as powder
- Bonus: What does it taste like?
- Donkey Milk Comparison
- Frequently Asked Questions
Donkey milk is one of Europe's rarest types of milk – and is full of stories. It only flows as long as the donkey has a foal, tastes slightly sweet, and has accompanied humanity since antiquity. Here are 10 facts that hardly anyone knows.
1. No foal, no milk
A donkey only gives milk as long as she has a foal. A donkey is pregnant for around 12 months – so having more than one foal a year is hardly possible. More in How long is a donkey pregnant?
2. The foal drinks first
On our partner farms, the foal always has priority. Only part of the milk is milked, and the foal is present during milking. More in How is donkey milk produced?
3. Milked by hand
Donkeys are milked by hand on our partner farms, calmly and in small quantities. The milk only flows when the donkey is relaxed.
4. More lactose than cow's milk
With around 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml, donkey milk contains more lactose than cow's milk, which has around 4.7 g. This is where its slightly sweet taste comes from. Donkey milk is therefore not a low-lactose milk.
5. Low in fat and thin
Donkey milk usually contains less than 1 g of fat per 100 ml. This makes it more like low-fat milk, and it froths differently than whole milk. More in Donkey Milk Ingredients.
6. Lysozyme and lactoferrin
Donkey milk naturally contains the proteins lysozyme and lactoferrin. Scientists are interested in these components. More in Lysozyme in Donkey Milk.
7. Cleopatra's bath
According to legend, Cleopatra bathed in donkey milk. Poppaea, the wife of Emperor Nero, is also said to have used donkey milk for her beauty routine. More in Cleopatra and Donkey Milk Baths.
8. Donkey cheese is a rarity
Because donkey milk contains so little protein, around 25 liters of milk are needed for 1 kg of donkey cheese. More in Donkey Cheese: How It Is Made.
9. Shock-frozen at −40 °C
Our fresh donkey milk is shock-frozen at −40 °C and delivered frozen. At home, you store it at −18 °C and thaw it in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C. More in Thawing Donkey Milk.
10. Also available as powder
Freeze-drying produces donkey milk powder. 10 g of powder and 90 ml of water yield around 100 ml. The powder is space-saving and easy to store. More in How Is Donkey Milk Powder Made?
Bonus: What does it taste like?
Mild, slightly sweet, without the typical barn taste. Many recommend drinking it slightly chilled at 9–15 °C. More in What Does Donkey Milk Taste Like?
Donkey Milk Comparison
| Per 100 ml (approx.) | Donkey Milk | Cow's Milk (Whole Milk) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | usually less than 1 g | 3.5 g |
| Protein | 1.5–1.9 g | 3.4 g |
| Lactose | 6–7 g | 4.7 g |
Other comparisons: Goat Milk, Sheep Milk, Camel Milk, Oat Drink.
Fact 11: Tasting is believing
The Mini Duo contains 100 ml of fresh donkey milk and 20 g of powder – the easiest way to try donkey milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does your donkey milk come from?
From European partner farms. It is laboratory-tested in Germany and shipped frozen.
Is donkey milk vegan?
No, it is of animal origin. More in Donkey Milk and Vegan Diets.
Is donkey milk suitable for babies?
Donkey milk is not a substitute for breast milk or infant formula. If you have children, please speak to your pediatrician first.
Why is donkey milk so expensive?
Because it is only produced in small quantities. More in Donkey Milk Price per Liter.
