I don’t mind a little bit of milk in my coffee, especially in my cafe au lait. I also don’t mind goat milk in my cereal or handmade soap.

I actually really prefer goat milk anytime. As it’s easy to digest and is much more nutritious then cow milk. Just when I was happy with goat milk, I came across this article about camel milk.

It’s the king of milk in north African and Middle Eastern countries. Doctors in Russia and India often prescribe it to convalescing patients. It’s perfect for ailing patients as the milk is rich in vitamins C (three times that of milk). Loaded with vitamin B, unsaturated fatty acids, and also has 10 times the iron that’s found in cow’s milk.

Smiling mother and baby camels.  Notice there is no sand here, just green pasture.  Photo from Oasis Dairy Farm.  It’s America’s first camel dairy farm!

I’ve never tasted camel milk. But it’s been described as being much more salty then regular milk. A reporter for the BBC news wrote, “The taste is akin to walking through a burnt-out building, eating a smoked ham and smoked cheese sandwich.” That is a funny way to describe it.

But the owners of Oasis Dairy in southern California describe the taste as more like low fat cow milk, but very fresh and mildly sweet. But it’s also noted that with any milk, taste can change depending on what the animal is eating.

Oasis Camel Dairy have been in business for the past 20 years. I would love to visit this place and try my first cup of camel milk. They also offer camel safari rides and have camel milk soap too. Very neat!

Maybe if we ever visit this place, we will get to witness how they milk the camels too. At least the milking would be a show itself.

It’s been described, “anyone wanting to milk a camel should have a fairly good sense of balance. The usual method involves standing on one leg, balancing a bowl on the knee of the other, and using both hands to milk.” Guess it helps if you are acrobatic.

Here is what Oasis Camel Diary top reasons to drink camel milk:

1. Camel’s milk is the closest milk to human mother’s milk. Our bodies not only tolorate it well, our bodies thrive on it.

2. Camel’s milk has triple the amount of vitamin C found in cows milk.

3. Camel’s milk has TEN TIMES the amount of antibacterial and antiviral properties found in cow’s milk.

4. Camel’s milk contains an insulin like protein that survives the digestive tract and may benefit people with certain forms of diabetes.

Plan a visit to the farm:

Located between the towns of Ramona and Santa Ysabel on rural Highway 78. Driveway entrance is about 500 yards west of the intersection of Hwy 78 and Old Julian Hwy.

From the North, we suggest taking the 15 freeway to the Via Rancho Parkway exit and follow the signs towards the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Pass the Wild Animal Park and continue up the 78 until the town of Ramona. Turn left at Main Street (which also becomes Highway 78 and continue through town approximately nine miles to the Oasis Camel Dairy.

PUBLIC TOURS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED: July 17 and August 7. Tours start at 6:00 p.m…gates open at 5:30 pm.

TOUR PRICES:
ADULTS - $10.00
SENIORS - $8.00
CHILDREN (3 years & up) - $7.00

*CAMEL RIDES - $5.00 (when available)