The non-dairy milk market has been one whose cup has been out for some time. With so many non-dairy and vegan alternatives flooding the refrigerated section of our supermarkets, along with shelf-stable options and vintage powder forms, we’re drowning in non-dairy options. from soybeans to Fava BeansRice, coconut and almonds pecanoats Sesame-Is there a plant there did not It was milked after?
But interestingly, that doesn’t mean Americans still drink real moo juice.
According to the author Amy Levittwho recently covered the economics of the plant-based dairy industry.Studies have shown Many dairy drinkers plan to stick to cow’s milk. Even plant milk drinkers don’t exclusively drink plant milk.” And we can’t get enough of either, as sales of both increased at about the same rate. So even though the headlines say The dairy industry is in serious troubleIt’s the price to blame. no competition or lack of demand.
With that in mind, there is no slowdown on the horizon for manufacturers milking this white wave. The latest arrivals? Something that might be a happy medium: Bored cow Real milk that doesn’t come directly from the animal…but it doesn’t come either no come from animals.
What we mean is genuine, chemically and genetically “real” milk, but made without any animal interference, thus bridging (and bending the minds) of vegans. It could be the future of dairy.
What is this magic?
If “Wait, what?!” Your reaction was, join the club. Because how do you make real milk without cows?
starts with perfect dayThe brainchild of Ryan Pandya and Perumal Ghandi, two bioengineers and would-be vegans who wanted to know the chemistry behind how dairy milk is so creamy and satisfying. Powered by Isha Datar of new harvestTeachable Microflora and Accelerator Program in Cork, Ireland, have been able to find out.
Use micro fermentationan ancient process that cooperates with the natural biological processes of microflora to convert them into “cell factoriesThat produce enzymes, vitamins, pigments, fats and more, they were able to teach plants to replicate the DNA sequence of dairy milk. The result is a strain of whey protein beta-lactoglobulin that is genetically identical to that which makes real cow’s milk technically purer than the real deal because it’s free. From lactose, cholesterol, hormones and antibiotics.
If all of this sounds a little more exotic than a refrigerated non-dairy offering, before you dismiss it as Frankenfood, remember that fermentation has been a normal part of global human diets for centuries. That process and all those little plants is what we can thank for sourdough bread, kimchi, cheese, beer, vinegar, and now animal-free dairy. And while their microflora is genetically engineered, so is the milk protein they make noso it is still considered non-GMO.
Once Perfect Day engineers were able to split and develop their whey protein, it became a matter of application. Since the limited edition of its ice cream in 2019, which sold out in record time, the brand has been quietly in the background of every product that boasts animal-free dairy, including partnerships with other ice cream brands.
Since then, the brand has also branched out into protein powder, baking mixes, cream cheese, and more via its consumer brand Urgent Company.
But all of these things can cleverly hide any fake milk flaws behind the buildup of flavours. And the dairy products hidden in powder form don’t make milk—which brings us to Bored Cow.
Why would anyone want animal milk that doesn’t come directly from animals?
People are switching from dairy milk to plant-based milk for many reasons. For some, this is ethical. There are many who feel The dairy industry is inherently cruelAnd Excessive waste because of Availability of the processor undeniable. Then there is a problem bovine emissions to look in it Climate change looming.
For some, switching to a vegetarian or vegan-only diet is a lifestyle choice, while others are forced to do so for health reasons such as lactose sensitivity or intolerance. Not to mention those who opt for the lower sugar content and lower calorie count of some milk alternatives.
Bored Cow’s entry solves some of those, but it sits in a milky gray area.
For example, is it vegan or not?
The answer depends on your interpretation, but Ben Berman, co-founder and CEO of The Bored Cow, joined the California Performance Co. in using the term “vegan-friendly, to help ensure people don’t confuse us with dairy-free.” Because, as he acknowledges, “we’re We realize that “animal-free dairy” is an oxymoron.
Yet they are true even under the most microscopic lens.
Although the genome sequence of the invention matches that of A The Montana cow is called DominetteThere was no need to involve her because her genes were already cross-sourced Bovine Genome Project. Since it was recreated in a lab, derived from fermentation, fed on plant sugars, and absolutely no animals were involved, it fits the definition of vegan in the strict sense of the term.
That is, unless you are looking into the chemical and technical composition. since then Do Sharing the gist of what makes milk “milk” and therefore unsafe for those with a milk allergy, it is still cow’s milk, albeit lactose-free and low in saturated fat.
Those ditching cow’s milk for environmental reasons will be happy to know that’s what drives Bored Cow’s parent company, Tomorrow Farms.
“We’re on a mission to win hearts, minds, and stomachs to fuel a sustainable food revolution…better for people, kinder for animals, and easier on the planet,” Berman said. “We did it recently [International Organization for Standardization]Life-cycle assessment with a third-party expert to compare the impact of our Original Milk to conventional and organic dairy milk From farm to factory, Bored Cow uses up to 96% less land, up to 67% less water, and emits up to 44% less fewer greenhouse gases.”
Is this good?
That’s the million dollar question, right?
Personally, i had a lot of skepticism about how this new milk would differ from a pre-packaged protein drink and how it could match the nutritional, textural, and flavor profile of never powdered milk; Berman himself struggled to explain it in a nutshell.
“Taste and functionality are still the most important decision points. Personally, I fall into that bucket.” “We created Bored Cow to replicate the taste, texture, nutrition and functionality of traditional dairy milk. Like other milk alternatives, we combine protein with botanical ingredients, vitamins and minerals.” but unlike These alternatives, in a side-by-side comparison with the general market milks i have in my fridge, i found the nutrition panel to be nearly identical, if not better.
“Just like traditional dairy milk, a serving of Bored Cow contains 8 grams of complete protein, amino acids and all, and is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D and B12,” said Berman.
Results? Honestly, it’s a nice place to be, and the regular original is no Like a protein shake. Plain is thicker, richer, and creamier, and the flavor is distinctly milky, which you won’t find even in unflavored protein powders. On the contrary, the Whey forward The formula is thinner, sweeter, and available in candy flavors, none of which can be confused with milk. However, the chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry versions float somewhere in the middle, with a more watery initial feel, instant flavor, and milky aftertaste.
As a lactose-free milk, it is not as smooth as a2, the brand that changed the game by removing the a1 protein attributed to milk-dependent bowel allergies. Instead, he finds a pleasant medium flavor as if he’s mixing lactose-free milk—which tends to be a bit too sweet—with regular milk. The viscosity of the cup, in the cereal, and in my iced coffee mimicked 2% or whole milk, and unlike plant milks, it didn’t break down in hot coffee. Even better news, Berman said: “It foams, foams, cooks and bakes just like cow’s milk.”
The downside is the price and availability.
The bad news is that it’s not quite as priced as cow’s milk—even in Bessie’s most expensive and organic products.
It retails for $5.49 to $6.49 for the original quart, making it a tough trade-off for families going through a gallon (which is four times that) a week. However, the smaller, food-friendly 11-ounce cans of Chocolate, Vanilla and Strawberry are equally as good as the drinks, which retail individually for $2.49-2.99. While this is almost double the cost per can of packaged organic milk, these portions are smaller and what one would expect from a protein drink or convenience store.
However, the product has just entered distribution with Sprouts Farmers Market in the stable part of the store (and refrigerated dairy products in some locations), so who’s to say that expansion won’t help keep costs down in the long run? It is up to the consumers to decide their fate.
