Milk is a nutrient-rich liquid food that is the primary or main source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest solid food. It usually contains many nutrients which include protein and lactose. Milk is collected as an agricultural product from farm animals in dairy farms. More than six billion people around the world consume milk and milk products. Here are 11 tasty facts about milk.
Americans Are Drinking A Lot Less Milk Than They Used To
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average person in America consumes 18 gallons of milk in a year. Americans actually drink more carbonated soft drinks and bottled water than milk and they are drinking a lot less milk than they used to.
Almost All Dairy Farms In The US Are Family Operated
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 98% of all dairy farms in the U.S. are still family-owned and operated. That means milk is still produced by family farms in the United States.
Why Milk Is White?
Milk is white because of the fat it contains – although milk is composed of approximately 87% water, which is colorless, the fat and protein molecules inside it usually reflect all light wavelengths. Thus, the fat and protein molecules make milk appear white.
A Dairy Cow Produces 2,300 Gallons Of Milk In A Year
On average, a dairy cow will produce 6.3 gallons of milk each day, which is more than 2,300 gallons each year.
India Is The Largest Producer Of Milk
India is the largest milk producer in the world, accounting for 22% of global production, which is followed by the United States of America, China, Pakistan, and Brazil.
Most Expensive Cheese Is Produced From The Milk Of Balkan Donkeys
Pule cheese, the rarest and most expensive cheese in the world, is made from the milk of Balkan donkeys.
Cow Drinks 30 To 50 Gallons Of Water Every Day
On average, a cow that is milking eats about 100 pounds of feed and drinks about 30 to 50 gallons of water each day.
10 Liters Of Milk Will Produce 1 Kg Of Cheese
Usually, it takes about 10 liters of milk to produce 1 kilogram of cheese. Cow’s milk is generally used to produce most cheese. However, milk from other animals including goats, sheep, buffalo, and camels is also used to produce cheese in many different places around the world.
Cow Is More Valuable For Its Milk
A cow is more valuable for its milk, cheese, and butter than for its beef.
Milk Is Measured In Pounds
For the purpose of accuracy, farmers generally measure milk in pounds, not gallons.
World Milk Day Is On June 1
World Milk Day is celebrated every year on June 1, which is an international day established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. This day is marked to recognize the importance of milk as a global food and to celebrate the dairy industry.
