WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE: RAW MILK V.S. RAW KEFIR?
Entering the world of raw dairy products can be a new and exciting experience. Many people have never heard of raw dairy products before, let alone raw kefir. Consumers who are new to raw dairy often have loads of questions, and we’re here to answer. In this article, dive further into whole raw milk and whole raw kefir-what’s the difference?
Firstly, let’s go over some basics.
Article Breakdown:
What is raw milk?
What is raw kefir?
How does raw kefir taste compare to raw milk?
What are the benefits of raw milk and raw kefir?
(8) Creative ways to use raw kefir
Grass grazing is a focal point at RAW FARM. We carefully maintain our green pastures through sustainable practices. Milk from pasture-grazed cows reigns superior because the fats are healthier, the flavor is amazing, and the cows are very, very happy!
After our cows are milked in our open-concept modern milk barn, they head back to the pasture to relax and enjoy their day. There is still work to do with their yummy milk. As part of our food safety protocol, we send a sample of the milk to a third-party lab to be tested for pathogens as well as other food safety tests. We hold this raw milk in chilled holding tanks until we receive confirmation that all tests pass. This is our Test and Hold protocol. Your safety is our highest concern. The milk is then bottled and hand-crafted into the products you love. Unprocessed raw milk is one of the easiest foods to digest because enzymes are alive and well to aid in this digestion process. After all, it is literally the first food of life! When you drink unprocessed, raw milk, your body will thrive. This complete food will give your body the much-needed nutrition it needs to become strong and healthy.
What is raw milk?
RAW FARM Whole Raw Milk is unprocessed and complete with bioavailable vitamins, minerals, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, naturally occurring CLA, and omega-3 fatty acids. Absolutely NO antibiotics, synthetic hormones, or GMOs anything. Customers with lactose sensitivities have a delicious, nutritious, and natural alternative in this unaltered, wholesome product. SIMPLY FLASH-CHILLED, FILTERED AND TESTED.
*** Helpful hint for those new to raw dairy products or have a weakened or damaged gut biome: Begin with introducing raw milk or raw kefir slowly into your diet. This will allow your body to gently improve your overall gut health. Drinking too much too quickly may cause stomach upset.
WHAT IS RAW KEFIR?
Now that you have a better understanding of what raw milk is, it’s time to explain what raw kefir is, and how it is made from raw milk.
Kefir, pronounced kee-feer, is a fermented drink MADE from raw milk. RAW FARM Whole Raw Kefir is made by culturing our whole raw milk with 12 specialized bacteria colonies (in addition to the bio-diverse colonies of beneficial bacteria naturally found in our raw milk). It is cultured (fermented) for 36-48 hours to achieve a pH of approximately 3.8. RAW FARM Whole Raw Kefir is deliciously smooth and very drinkable! Raw Kefir contains special prebiotics to feed and protect gut bacteria. It’s the bacteria’s food!
How does raw kefir taste compared to raw milk?
If you’ve had our raw milk before, you know that it is rich, sweet, and delicious. Sometimes I like to compare it to drinking a vanilla milkshake. 😉 Many of our customers didn’t care too much for drinking milk until they tried our RAW MILK! Your body knows exactly what it needs and will crave the nutrients found in raw milk. Sometimes, your body may crave different forms of raw dairy, such as raw kefir. Because raw kefir is fermented, it has a sour, tart taste, with a subtle hint of sweetness. Many people enjoy raw kefir on its own, while others prefer to have it in combination with other foods, like a raw kefir smoothie or using raw kefir as a substitute in recipes (it can easily be swapped for sour cream or buttermilk). Definitely give raw kefir a try. Your gut will thank you. Raw milk is a natural probiotic, while raw kefir is a SUPER probiotic, since it is made from raw milk then cultured with 12 additional specialized bacteria colonies. This makes raw kefir an amazing food for improving digestion and building a healthy gut. Often times, those with severe dairy intolerances to pasteurized dairy products choose to opt for raw kefir first to get a head start on improving their gut microbiome.
BENEFITS OF RAW MILK (+ RAW KEFIR MADE FROM RAW MILK)
1.Easy to Digest
This is one of the leading reasons why people choose raw milk over processed milk. Nowadays, many people are making “milk” in their homes from plant-based products like nuts and seeds because pasteurized milk and milk products in grocery stores cause lots of issues with their tummy. Thankfully, Whole Raw Milk is easy to digest and tummy friendly! It’s important to remember that before there was pasteurized milk, there was ONLY raw milk. Our company focuses on bringing the traditional raw milk experience back in a safe, reliable, delicious, and nutritious way.
2. Rich in raw & healthy fats
Our raw milk is filled with amazing heart-healthy raw fat. Our cows graze on grass year-round, making their milk high quality and top notch. Our bodies need healthy fats to nourish our cells. In fact, every single cell in our body is composed of saturated fat!
3. Naturally rich in CLA & Omega-3 fatty acids
CLA ( Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is higher in dairy products from grass-fed animals than cows who never enjoy pastures grazing. Our cows also enjoy a small amount of healthy supplement feed to ensure they get plenty off protein, and carbohydrates, and other nutrients to keep their body healthy and strong so they can make healthy milk. Learn more about how we keep our cows happy and healthy here.
4. Naturally rich in vitamins and minerals
Because raw milk is unprocessed, all of the nutrients are bioavailable and ready for your body to absorb, as nature intended. Nothing is added added or synthesized, so you’re enjoying a complete and whole food.
5. Probiotic, Raw, & Tested
As mentioned before, our products are tested for food safety. Not a single batch of raw milk leaves our farm until it has been confirmed safe for human consumption. Our team works hard every day to make sure our cows are healthy and we handle the raw milk with the ultimate care so you have the most nutrient-dense, probiotic, and safe raw dairy products possible!
(8) creative Ways to Use Raw Kefir:
Raw kefir can be enjoyed as a beverage on its own. You can go for our original Plain Raw Kefir (add raw honey or pure vanilla extract to spice it up), or go for one of our other flavors: Vanilla, Golden, or Goat Kefir.
Make a raw kefir smoothie bowl. Simply blend together your favorite frozen fruits, Whole Raw Kefir, an egg yolk for extra nutrition (optional), and any other superfoods you’d like to add. You can drink your smoothie as is, or pour it into a bowl and top it with your toppings of choice, such as coconut flakes, fresh berries, and homemade granola. This makes for an amazing breakfast, pre/post workout drink, and healthy snack that will leave you feeling satisfied and energized, naturally.
Raw Kefir can be used in creamy dressings in place of yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream. Use it in a homemade ranch dressing, caesar dressing, or get creative and design your own from scratch!
Take your pasta, potato, and/or chicken salads to the next level by replacing the mayo or yogurt in the recipe with Raw Kefir. This is a great way to sneak in more probiotics and enjoy the raw benefits accompanied with it.
Similar to a smoothie bowl, Raw Kefir Sorbet is another simple, delicious recipe that can be enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, desserts-you name it! It only takes 3 ingredients to make: Raw Kefir flavor of choice, frozen fruit of choice, and raw honey for extra sweetness (optional). On our blog, we shared 6 fun raw kefir sorbet flavor ideas: Strawberry Shortcake, Berry Delicious, Peaches and Cream, Raspberry Dream, Bananas for You, and (my personal favorite) the Peanut Butter Chocolate Delux! Get all of the recipes here.
Make raw kefir cheese. Strain Plain Raw Kefir or Raw Goat Kefir through cheesecloth over a bowl overnight to allow the whey to drip out. The result is a thicker, creamier raw kefir cheese that can be spread on sourdough bread, crackers, added to recipes, or enjoyed on its own. For a fun twist, add savory flavors like chives, rosemary or olives, or sweet flavors like strawberries, honey, or figs.
Just as you can substitute Raw Kefir for yogurt in salad recipes, you can also use Raw Kefir in place of yogurt, sour cream, or buttermilk when baking . Check out our delicious maple banana bread recipe made with Raw Kefir!
Your pets can enjoy Raw Kefir, too! When you love your pets, you’d do anything for them. That’s why at RAW FARM we have designed the most amazing Raw Pet Food Product Line, available at Sprouts Farmers Market fresh in the dairy department. Pour this raw probiotic on top of your pet’s meal to help with digestive health. Our Raw Kefir for pets is unprocessed, whole, complete with bioavailable vitamins and minerals, and is lactose-intolerant friendly. Learn more here!
RAW KEFIR PRODUCTS FOR PETS!
Great news, we have launched a Pet Food (Plain) Raw Kefir at Sprouts Farmers market!