Listen up, new superfood is here. Healthy donkey milk a hit in Albania
Donkey milk may be a good natural remedy for the respiratory system.
By AFP |
AFP
Fears around Covid-19 have set off a flurry of interest.
PAPER, ALBANIA: On a small farm south of Tirana, donkeys happily munch on hay while customers flock to scoop up bottles of their milk, a niche product winning fans who believe in its health benefits.
Touted as rich in vitamins and a boost for the immune system, the high-priced milk has been flying off the shelf during the coronavirus pandemic -- a time when many in Albania are looking for an extra health kick.
"The demand for donkey milk is rising sharply" alongside virus infections, says 37-year-old Elton Kikia, the manager of the small farm in the village of Paper, where around a dozen of the small, knobbly-kneed animals romp around a green pasture.
The high demand is good news for the donkeys themselves, whose comfortable lifestyle on the farm is a welcome respite from their traditional roles as beasts of burden.
Typically enlisted to carry heavy loads and pull carts through Albania's mountainous terrain, donkeys are frequently subject to mistreatment, in the form of beatings, overwork or saddle sores.
"Yet it is a very delicate animal, which to produce its milk needs tenderness and love," says Kikia.
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Two years ago he left his job as a journalist to take over the family farm, which is only one of two in the country to raise donkeys for their milk.
At 50 euros a litre, the price of their milk is exorbitant in a country where the average wage barely reaches 400 euros a month.
But fears around Covid-19 have set off a flurry of interest.
While no one is branding the milk as a cure for the virus, aficionados are convinced its nutritional profile - which is close to human milk - helps strengthen the body's natural defences.
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Klea Ymeri, a student in agro-environmental engineering, recently travelled to Paper to buy two 250 millilitre bottles to help her parents recover from Covid-19.
"On top of the medicines they are taking, donkey's milk could be a good natural remedy for the respiratory system", she told AFP.
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The family also uses some of the milk to make soaps, masks and other beauty products.
Regina Beqiri, a relative and pharmacist who concocts the mixtures, says sales are up at at time when virus restrictions mean "people are spending more time at home and can take better care of their skin".
Rexhina Beqiri, 26, makes soap with donkey milk at a dairy farm in the village of Paper. Two-way therapy The farm currently has four pregnant donkeys and four milk-producing mothers, each with a calf.
With a maximum production of three litres a day, "we can't meet the demand", Kikia told AFP, saying he plans to expand his herd to 100 donkeys.
But that is no easy task in Albania, where the donkey population is on the decline.
Waves of emigration from villages to cities, plus with the use of machines in agriculture, has shrunk the number of donkeys and breeders across the Balkan state.
Milk production is thus also a way of "protecting" the species, according to the farmers, whose animals still bear the scars of their difficult past lives.
"They are cared for and rehabilitated, including psychologically," says Riza Kikia, 71, Elton's father.
Geni, for example, is a white female donkey who arrived with a wounded ear and a scar-streaked back.
"She was weak, sad, she didn't want to stay with the others. Now she plays, she eats well and she makes good milk", said Kikia.
The donkeys are also a draw for local children from the village who come to take rides, feed and pet the animals.
"This bond between the donkeys and the children is a therapy in itself," Kikia explained.
"It is a psychological remedy that has magical effects, both on the behaviour of the children and on that of the animals."
World Milk Day: Know Nutritional Value Of Your Drink
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There is a never-ending discussion about which milk is better and more nutritious than the other.
While animal milk (cow, buffalo, goat) contains more protein, fat and calcium, the absorption of plant milk is low in our body, and contains no cholesterol or lactose. Expert says that a person should alternate between different types of milk to get the most of the nutritional value.
On World Milk Day, Dr Seema Khanna, consultant nutritionist, shares the much-needed facts about the various milks available in the market.
There is a never-ending discussion about which milk is better and more nutritious than the other.While animal milk (cow, buffalo, goat) contains more protein, fat and calcium, the absorption of plant..
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Cow's milk is the primary source of nutrition for children. Milk from early lactating cows contains antibiotics which helps in boosting immunity for cancer patients, and other life threatening diseases like HIV. Throughout the world, more than 6 billion people consume cow's milk and its milk products.
Cow's milk is the primary source of nutrition for children. Milk from early lactating cows contains antibiotics which helps in boosting immunity for cancer patients, and other life threatening diseas..
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Glycemic index of rice milk is very high (86). Hence, it should be restricted by diabetic and polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.
Rice milk does not contain calcium, cholesterol and lactose. Rice milk is slightly foamy and appears similar to other forms of milk.
Rice milk is lighter (calorie-wise) than cow's milk, but less nutritious. It is the perfect option for people looking to reduce weight. It is easy to make at home, and inexpensive to prepare. The only drawback is that it may not contain many nutrients and has a short shelf life.
Method: Mix hot rice (preferably brown rice), raw cashews, hot water, salt and vanilla (optional) in a blender for 2 minutes. Strain the mixture in a cheesecloth. the creamy milk can last for at least 48 hours.
Glycemic index of rice milk is very high (86). Hence, it should be restricted by diabetic and polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.
Rice milk does not contain calcium, cholesterol and lactose. Rice ..
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Goat milk is easy to digest as the fat molecules in the good milk are much smaller than the fat molecules in cow's milk. This milk is cheaper to process because it does not require homogenisation.
Goat milk is being used in treatment of dengue. It has fewer allergenic proteins, and causes less inflammation. It is high in calcium, fatty acids and low in cholesterol. It has good amount of protein, fat iron vitamin C and vitamin D with less of lactose content. It is good for patient having stomach ulcers.
Goat milk is easy to digest as the fat molecules in the good milk are much smaller than the fat molecules in cow's milk. This milk is cheaper to process because it does not require homogenisation.
G..
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Almond milk contains neither lactose nor cholesterol. It is often consumed by lactose intolerants.
Unfortified almond milk has less nutrients, especially vitamin D. It is low in protein as compared to cow's milk.
Method: Soak almonds overnight. Blend almonds with the water (add dates if you want your milk to be sweet). Strain to remove the granules. Can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Almond milk contains neither lactose nor cholesterol. It is often consumed by lactose intolerants.
Unfortified almond milk has less nutrients, especially vitamin D. It is low in protein as compared ..
Read More
Buffalo milk contains more fats and solids. The emulsifying capacity of buffalo milk fat is better due to its higher proportion of butyric acid containing trglycerides compared to only 37% in cow's milk.
Buffalo milk contains more of saturated fats compared to cow's milk hence not recommended for heart disease patients and obese patients.
Buffalo milk contains more fats and solids. The emulsifying capacity of buffalo milk fat is better due to its higher proportion of butyric acid containing trglycerides compared to only 37% in cow's m..
Read More
This plant-based drink is a stable emulsion of oil, water and protein. It is commonly used as a substitute for lactose intolerant patient and vegans.
Soy milk has a low glycemic index and can be consumed by diabetics and obese patients. However, it is not advisable during pregnancy.
It is good for people suffering with hypercholesteremia and hyperlipidemia as it contains omega-3 fatty acids. It has high content of isoflavons, proteins, vitamins and minerals with minimal amount of saturated fat. It can treat some of the leading health conditions like infertility.
Method: Add boiling water to split soybeans. Let it cool for 6-12 hours. Drain the beans, add cold water and mix in a blender for 3 minutes. Strain the mixture using a cheesecloth. Boil the soy milk for 10 minutes. Cool and store it for up to 3 days.
This plant-based drink is a stable emulsion of oil, water and protein. It is commonly used as a substitute for lactose intolerant patient and vegans.
Soy milk has a low glycemic index and can be con..
