Buyer protection
Contents
Donkey milk ice cream is a rarity that appears mainly in fine dining. In Vienna, for example, a donkey milk gelato decorated with gold leaf was on the dessert menu of an Italian restaurant – made with donkey milk from DON DONKEY'S. But what does such an ice cream taste like, and why is it something special? Here you will find out – and how you can make a simple donkey milk ice cream yourself.
What donkey milk gelato tastes like
Donkey milk is mild and slightly sweet. This is due to the milk sugar: With about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml, it contains more than cow's milk. This natural sweetness comes out well in the ice cream. At the same time, donkey milk contains little fat, usually less than 1 g per 100 ml. An ice cream made only from donkey milk would therefore be rather light and firm, similar to a milk sorbet.
This is why donkey milk is often combined with cream in the culinary industry. This creates a creamy texture in which the delicate donkey milk flavor is preserved. The dessert in Vienna relied on this combination and on eggs for additional binding. According to the kitchen, added sugar was omitted to emphasize the natural flavor of the milk.
Why donkey milk ice cream is so rare
A donkey gives about 1–2 liters of milk per day in addition to the milk for her foal. It is milked by hand or in small quantities. For an ice cream machine full of gelato, you quickly need half a liter or more. This makes donkey milk ice cream a rare delicacy that is hardly found on menus. Read more about this in the post Why donkey milk is so rare.
Making donkey milk ice cream yourself: a simple version
You don't need a restaurant kitchen to try ice cream with donkey milk. This version requires no cooking and can be made with an ice cream machine:
- 250 ml donkey milk, slowly thawed in the refrigerator
- 150 ml cream
- 40–60 g sugar or honey, depending on the desired sweetness
- the seeds of half a vanilla pod or some vanilla extract
- Mix: Stir the sugar or honey into the cold cream until it has dissolved. Add the vanilla and donkey milk.
- Chill: Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about an hour. The colder it is, the better the ice cream will turn out.
- Freeze: Put the mixture into the ice cream machine and let it churn until creamy according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Serve: It is best to enjoy the ice cream fresh. In the freezer, it will become firmer over time.
Without an ice cream machine, you can freeze the mixture in a shallow container and stir it vigorously every 30 minutes at the beginning. Please follow the instructions on the donkey milk label.
Tips for a creamy texture
- Pre-chill well: All ingredients should be properly cold before going into the ice cream machine. This forms smaller ice crystals.
- Taste the sweetness: Sugar or honey not only makes the ice cream sweeter, but also softer. With less sugar, it will be firmer.
- Thaw before serving: Take longer-stored ice cream out of the freezer a few minutes beforehand. Then it can be portioned better.
Matching accompaniments
The mild flavor of donkey milk ice cream harmonizes with fresh berries, figs, roasted nuts, or a touch of lemon zest. If you like it festive, serve it with edible gold leaf – just like in Vienna. You can find more dessert ideas in our recipe for Panna cotta with donkey milk.
Frequently asked questions
What does donkey milk ice cream taste like?
Mild, slightly sweet, and pleasantly creamy with cream. The natural sweetness comes from the milk sugar of the donkey milk.
Can I make ice cream only from donkey milk?
Yes, but because of the low fat content, it will be rather firm and light, similar to a sorbet. With cream, it will be creamier.
Can donkey milk ice cream also be made with donkey milk powder?
Yes. Mix 10 g of donkey milk powder with 90 ml of water, which makes about 100 ml. So for the recipe above, you need 25 g of powder and 225 ml of water.
