A Dromedairy’s Camel Near You

With Gulf countries staring at the prospect of falling demand for petroleum, perhaps it is not a coincidence that the latest fad fuelling western breakfast menus is camel’s milk.

Supermarkets from the US to Australia are now stocking more and more of this product, often sourced from companies owned by Gulf princes. Admittedly, the non-cow’s milk market is crowded, from soy lattes to almond frappes, not to mention coconut smoothies becoming the toast of the lactose-unfriendly classes. But there is always space for more, especially naturally low-fat options like camel’s milk. Of course, given the mad rush for ‘superfoods’ of all kinds, some might aver that asses’ milk should logically be the next alternative — and not merely because of Cleopatra’s legendary predilection for it.

India has had a mixed run with camel’s milk, with the Rajasthan High Court inexplicably deeming it unfit for human consumption despite it being traditionally quaffed by the nomadic Rabaris who believe it can cure or prevent everything from malaria to diabetes. Fortunately the Supreme Court overturned that ruling 17 years ago. Yet that has not led to a flood of camel’s milk paneer, lassi, barfi, kheer or ice-cream here. But if camel’s milk finally crosses the marketing hump, the rise of dromedairies in India and elsewhere is inevitable.