Calming the camels

Move over chia, quinoa, goji berries and kale, hipsters are now delighting in camel milk as the latest superfood on the market. That’s no typo; camel milk is now a ‘thing’.

With high demand in the Middle East and Asia, camel milk is claiming all types of benefits from assisting with digestive problems, behavioral issues, diabetes and food allergies. I’m told that only a 100mls of the super tonic a day will keep the doctor away.

I recently visited Michelle Phillips at Muswellbrook Camel Milk, the only licensed camel milk producer in New South Wales. Michelle invested in 20 head of feral camels late last year; 10 females, nine baby camels and one stud. I was astounded at the way she handled them, there was no yahooing or motorbikes mustering- these beauties have been tamed with patience and care.

When I first heard of camel milk I initially thought of a funky smelling, brownish brew, with undertones of camel spit and a few lice thrown in for good measure. What a revelation- the liquid (white) gold tastes just like ordinary milk. The only two differences I could spot was a very subtle salty taste and the price- $30 bucks will buy you only one litre!

With only five of the camels currently producing two litres each a day, you can see why it is a precious commodity (cows produce approx 35-50 litres per day). Michelle, who breeds, milks, pasteurises and bottles on site is a believer and urges people to give it a go.

The jury is still out for me, however the milk was certainly more palatable than I expected.

Some Farmers’ Favourite facts on Camels and their milk;

• The gestation period for a camel is 15 months
• Watch out- camels can kick in all four directions with all four legs
• Male camels come into season, not females. When he’s ready for some lovin’ he makes a funky sound, like a broken insinkerator, out one side of his mouth
• There are only two breeds of camels, two humps or one. Don’t get excited, you can only get one hump in Australia.
• Camels have three stomachs unlike cows that have four
• It’s said that camels can go for months without water!