Although Goat milk is similar to cow milk in its basic composition, the significance of Goat milk and it’s products in human nutrition and well-being can never be underestimated. Dairy Goat products provides essential nutrients in human diet, as well as income sources for the survival of mankind in ecosystems of many parts of the world. The contribution of dairy goat products are also greatly valued by those who have cow milk allergy and other nutritional diseases. Dairy Goat Products include Fluid milk, Powdered milk, Yogurt, Evaporated milk, Soft cheese, Hard cheese, and Cultured Goat Milk Products comprise of Buttermilk, Sour Dip, Acidophilus, Yogurt, Kefir.
Cheese
Cheeses hold the greatest economic value among all manufactured goat milk products. According to the Agriculture Handbook of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are more then 400 varieties of goat cheese and lists more then 800 names of cheeses, many of which are made from goat milk or combination of goat milk with cow, buffalo or sheep milk.
The general procedures of cheeses manufacturing are:-
- Preparation of goat milk
- Standardizing the milk
- Setting the temperature
- Adding starter cultures
- Adding rennet
- Cutting curds
- Cooking
- Draining whey
- Salting
- Hooping
- Pressing
- Packaging
- Aging
Take Note: *Soft cheese are made by natural draining without pressing.
Evaporated and Powdered Goat Milk
Today, Evaporated and Powdered Goat milk are manufactured and marketed in most part of the world besides the United States. Evaporation is usually done under reduced pressure, primarily to allow boiling at a lower temperature to prevent heat damage. Powdered products available include Whole milk, Skim milk, Whey and infant foods.
Frozen Products.
Ice cream and frozen yogurt are manufactures from goat milk and cream. The popular flavor choice formulations of goat milk ice cream are Chocolate, Strawberry, French vanilla, Blueberries and Cream and combination with fruits or other ingredients.
Many varieties contain sugar although some are made with other sweeteners. In some cases, artificial flavorings and color is also used. This mixture is stirred slowly while cooling to prevent large ice crystals from forming. The result is a delicious and smoothly textured ice-cream.
