Delicious milk has been part of human diets for thousands of years. It’s creamy, versatile, and loved across the world – but it also comes with some weird and wonderful stories.
Here are 10 strange and wonderful milk facts that might surprise you.
1. Milk can glow under UV light
If you’ve ever seen milk under a black light, you might have noticed it glows a faint blue-green. That’s because of riboflavin (vitamin B2), a natural fluorescent compound. It’s not something you will see at the breakfast table, but in the lab it’s a well-known quirk.
2. Camel’s milk doesn’t curdle easily
Camel’s milk behaves very differently to cow’s milk. For one thing, it’s lower in lactose and can be easier to digest. But more surprisingly, it doesn’t curdle or sour in the same way, making it difficult to turn into cheese. Nomadic desert communities have long relied on it for hydration because it keeps fresher for longer.
3. The Victorians made mustard ice cream
In the 19th century, ice cream wasn’t just a sweet treat. Victorians loved experimenting with unusual flavours, and milk-based savoury ice creams were served at grand banquets. Mustard, parmesan and even oyster ice creams were on the menu – a far cry from chocolate or strawberry!
4. Humans are the only species to drink milk as adults
Every other mammal stops drinking milk after weaning. But humans kept going – and went one step further by drinking the milk of cows, goats, camels, and more. The ability to digest milk in adulthood (thanks to the lactase enzyme) developed as a genetic adaptation in some populations, which gave them an advantage in farming societies.
5. Chocolate was the first flavoured milk
When Europeans first encountered cocoa in the 1500s, they drank it mixed with water. But in Jamaica, locals were already combining cocoa with milk, creating the world’s first flavoured milk drink. From there, hot chocolate became a sensation across Europe.
6. Astronauts drank powdered milk in space
Milk made it all the way into orbit. During early space missions, astronauts were given freeze-dried powdered milk, which they rehydrated with water in special pouches. It wasn’t exactly a luxury latte, but it gave them essential nutrients on long missions.
7. There’s a cheese made from moose milk
In Sweden, a small farm produces moose milk cheese, which is one of the rarest (and most expensive) cheeses in the world. Moose only produce milk for a short period each year, and they need careful handling, so just a few kilos are made annually. A true dairy delicacy.
8. Milk was once used to clarify wine
Before modern filtration, winemakers used “fining agents” to clear their wine of cloudiness. One of those agents was milk. The proteins in milk, like casein, helped trap unwanted particles, leaving the wine clearer and smoother.
9. Frozen milk can look very strange
If you put a bottle of milk in the freezer, you might be surprised at what comes out. The fat and water separate, leaving a lumpy texture when thawed. It’s perfectly safe for cooking or baking, but it doesn’t pour as smoothly into your tea.
10. Milk was once used as glue
Milk proteins can be transformed into casein glue, which has been around for centuries. Medieval craftsmen used it in bookbinding and woodworking, and it’s surprisingly strong. In fact, some antique furniture still holds together today thanks to milk-based glue.
Milk might seem like a simple drink, but behind every bottle there’s a history full of science, culture, and oddities. From glowing under UV light to helping astronauts survive in space, milk is far stranger than most of us ever imagined.
But of course fresh milk delivered in glass bottles by the best milkmen in the business is in its prime when it’s being consumed. Whether it’s in your essential cup of tea or coffee, breakfast cereal or used to bake delicious homemade cakes, our milk tastes great. And it’s even better when it’s delivered to your doorstep!
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