FAQs | Desert Farms UK

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Frequently Asked Questions

Camel milk tastes just like milk!Why is camel milk so expensive?
In Europe there are 12,000 cows for every single camel. Camels don’t give lots of milk, but what they do give is precious. They only give milk when they have a baby and lactation lasts from 10 months to over a year. .They have long pregnancies, and it’s not easy to breed them. So while Europe learns more about camel breeding, we’re thankful to get what we do. Milking camels produces about 5-6 liters or so a day (compared to a yield of 25litres/day from a cow!). So it takes a whole farm, lots of feed and pasture, veterinary care, and trained carers to look after and milk these ladies. If you saw how much labor and expense goes into it, you’d be surprised it’s not more costly. Since many of our customers are parents, we won’t charge more than we think is reasonable.Can my kids drink camel milk?
Yes! This product is not intended to cure or diagnose any illness. If you plan to use camel milk as a natural remedy, please consult your local physician and alternative health care practitioner before you introduce a new food to your children’s diet.

Should I buy Fresh or Frozen?

Our Frozen Camel Milk is quick frozen right after bottling using a Nitrogen freezer. This process freezes the milk almost instantly which locks in all the nutrients and benefits right away. This method is much better for the preservation of nutrients and protein molecules of the milk compared to freezing the milk in a home freezer. So if you are planning to store the fresh milk in the freezer when you receive it, it would be better to purchase the milk in frozen form.

If you are planning to consume the milk within a few days of receiving it and plan to refrigerate it for those few days, then the fresh milk might be a better option.

Why is Frozen milk more expensive?

Due to the extra processes of Nitrogen Quick freezing, and the fact that shipping and packaging frozen milk costs more.

We Quick freeze our camel milk moments after milking. This method is great at preserving the nutrients of camel milk soon after milking.Is camel milk kosher? 
Camel Milk is not kosher according to Jewish law. The Jewish law requirement is that an animal must have a cloven foot and chew their cud; camels do not have a cloven foot. Both criteria must be met for an animal to be considered kosher. However, a Rabbi may honor exceptions to this rule when there are health issues. Contact your local Rabbi for more information.Where is your production facility? 
We work with family farms all around Europe. Each bottle is milked, bottled and packaged at the farm to ensure the delicate camel milk is not exposed to contamination. Our camel milk is not and will never be shipped to a third-party contractor for bottling. We try to limit the number of people dealing with your products to ensure the freshness and purity.How should I store my milk? 
Once you receive your order, fresh milk has a best by date of 5 days if stored in the refrigerator. However, within those 5 days you can freeze the milk at any time for up to 6 months. Frozen milk can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months. Once thawed or defrosted it is best to consume within 3 days. It is not unusual for camel milk to last more than 5 days in the fridge although it might taste a little bit sour, however that does not mean it has gone off. Sour milk is not expired milk! The only way to tell if your milk has expired is by its smell. Whenever you receive the milk you want to "Use" or "Freeze" the milk within 5 days. Do you ship Internationally?
Yes, we ship milk within Europe and we can ship our camel milk powder, and cosmetics range internationally.Are you certified organic?
No, but we work with family farmers who have been leaders in ‘organic’ agriculture from the very beginning before all the certifications came into place. If you would like to see the Certified Organic label on our bottles, give us a call or email us. With greater demand for this, we will be glad to make that investment.My local store doesn’t carry camel milk! What can I do?
We are with you—we want to see Desert Farms products on every shelf too! We’re working on spreading the Camel Milk Revolution, but you can help by asking the dairy manager where you shop to stock a small quantity of Desert Farms Camel Milk to start. It’s good for stores to know what their customers want.I own a small store, and I like your products. How do I stock Desert Farms? 
Send us an email at camelmilk@desertfarms.co.uk. Let us know the distributors who supply you and we can work out the details.Are your bottles recyclable?
Desert Farms bottles are 100% recyclable, and our sights are set on using fully recycled materials in our future packaging. We seek to recycle, reuse and repurpose.Your product says ‘non- homogenized’ but I see a little white creamy stuff on the edges of the bottle. What does that mean?
Although homogenization is a physical process, where pressure is applied to the beverage, we don’t need to do that artificially. Factory homogenization ensures smoothness and prevents separation. But it doesn’t affect the nutritional content. The beauty of camel milk is that it is naturally homogenized, it’s so great that we skip that physical process and provide camel milk in its original form. The white creamy stuff is probably butterfat and we love drinking it. And while you might see a little separation in the occasional bottle of camel milk, that’s just a natural event and doesn’t change the drinkability of the milk. Just shake it up.

We do not homogenize Desert Farms camel milk because we believe that milk should be processed as little as possible, and consumed in the most natural state.  Homogenization, which is not necessary for any food safety reason, destroys the sweet, creamy taste of fresh milk and alters its molecular structure.
Is raw milk safe?
Yes, for most people, but always check the source and take your questions to a doctor. Please read more about Why Raw Camel Milk. Can I cook or bake with camel milk?
Our camel milk is GREAT for cooking – the best part is that you can use the exact same amount of camel milk in cooking and baking recipes as cow’s milk. Can I use camel milk with coffee? 
Our camel milk will not curdle in your coffee; in fact, it’s become the milk of choice at some of Dubai’s top coffee shops, so you should go ahead and steam it, too!How long does your product stay fresh? 
Once you receive your order you can store your fresh milk for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or you can freeze it for up to 6 months in the freezer. Once thawed or defrosted it is best to consume your milk within 3 days. If you receive your milk frozen the best way to thaw or defrost it is by placing it in the refrigerator overnight or you can place it in a bowl of warm water and let it sit for a couple of hours. Once the milk has been defrosted it is completely normal for the fat to separate, just shake and drink up. Are you going to make your products in smaller sizes? 
You bet! How could we deprive you of our camel milk goodness on-the-go? Stay tuned for the next evolution of the product line to hit shelves in many adventurous flavors! Hint: fancy yourself a date? Is camel milk vegan? 
No, Desert Farms camel milk is an animal product. Animal lovers can rejoice that our camels are treated well and cherished by each family farm! Can camel milk be mixed with alcoholic beverages? 
What happens in your glass stays in your glass.How much camel milk can I consume in a day?
Drink as much camel milk as you’d like! You’re not limited to the amount of camel milk you can consume. Camel milk is not a drug or a medication so there is dosage amount.Do I need to keep my camel milk refrigerated?
Yes, we recommend keeping camel milk refrigerated at 5ºC or below before and after opening to preserve the highest quality and taste.What should I do if the best by date on the bottle has passed?
We do not label expiration dates on our raw camel milk, because raw camel milk does not really expire if refrigerated, it ferments by it self and turns sour which is how bedouins drink it. We advise on best before date for optimal taste, however if you want to consume the products before it turns sour you should do so within 5 days upon receiving your package. We only label expiration dates for the pasteurized milk because once the milk is pasteurized it no longer has that bacteria to allow for fermentation. The best way to tell if your camel milk has expired is to smell it. Sour milk does not mean it has expired. If it smells funky then you should throw it away.When is the best time to drink camel milk?
Whenever you feel like it! Before, during or after meals or as a light midnight snack.  Here are some of the ways you’ve told us you like to drink camel milk:

  • In the morning for energy with tea or coffee

  • Throughout the day for sustained energy

  • With or without a meal to help control your appetite

  • One hour before working out to build stamina

  • Immediately following a strenuous workout for recovery and replenishment

  • In the evening as a tasty, low calorie dessert replacement 

Are Desert Farms’ products okay for people with wheat and gluten allergies?
Yes, we make every effort to ensure that Desert Farms products are free of wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oats, barley and malt. People with severe allergies should consult a doctor before introducing a new food.Is Desert Farms camel milk a replacement for breast feeding or infant formula?        
The British Association of General Pediatrics recognizes that breastfeeding is important for optimal infant and child health and development. We share this view, and we recommend that you consult your health care provider when you are considering changing any aspect of a child’s diet.Can I refreeze my camel milk?
Yes, refreezing is completely safe and ok. Sometimes when you order the milk frozen you might receive it partially thawed, do not worry that is absolutely fine, just place it back in the freezer or refrigerator to defrost. Although freezing will not change the milk's nutritional values, in fact it will actually preserve it, however it might change the texture of the milk because of the fat globules separating, just shake and drink up. How is Desert Farms camel milk packaged?
We make every effort to use packaging materials that are safe, responsibly sourced and recyclable. Our 500mL milk bottles are made of PET and are BPA free. Each bottle is hand-packaged by your farmer with extra care and love.How can I recycle a Desert Farms product?
Recycling facilities vary from one community to another. If our packages are not being recycled in your community, we urge you to work with your local recycling center to expand their efforts.Where does Desert Farms get the camel milk?
From camels… No really, Desert Farms camel milk comes from hard-working and dedicated family farmers around Europe. Our family farms supply 100% of our camel milk.How big are Desert Farms partner farms? 
The farms that provide our camel milk come in all shapes and sizes from every region of the country. They all share the belief that raw natural camel milk makes sense for healthy families and a healthy planet. The average herd size of a Desert Farms partner farm is 6 camels. Learn more about Our Farms.What do Desert Farms camels eat?
All Desert Farms camels graze on organic pasture. When they are not on pasture, they are fed only organic vegetarian feed that has been produced without the use of genetically modified grains or the use of toxic and persistent herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers. Our camels are all hormone free and antibiotics free.How often Desert Farms camel graze on the pasture?
In compliance with FSA Organic Regulations, all Desert Farms camels must graze on pasture for at least four months of the year. The grazing season varies depending on geographic region. Camels are required to have year-round access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise areas and direct sunlight. Fresh air and exercise are considered vital to a camel's health, even in the non-pasture season. Every farmer is responsible for creating and adhering to a pasture management plan that’s updated monthly.
Does Desert Farms use any antibiotics or growth hormones on their camels?
The use of antibiotics is strictly prohibited in Desert Farms. Our policy is 100% raw and natural whenever possible. The first and best defense against illness is prevention. But when a camel does become ill, we rely on natural and alternative methods as our preferred treatment. If a sick animal cannot be restored to full health with organic-approved treatments, we may administer antibiotics or other prescribed medicines to return a camel to good health. However, when antibiotics or other prohibited materials are administered, we hold off on shipping the milk till there is no antibiotic residue in the camel milk, and then we resume. We always consider the well-being of our animals first and never allow an animal to suffer. The use of added growth hormones rBST and rBGH is strictly prohibited on Desert Farms. The use of these substances is not allowed in any organic dairy.Who owns Desert Farms?
Desert Farms Camel Milk is a brand within Desert Farms Ltd. is dedicated to introducing authentic and nutritious products originating from the desert through socially and environmentally responsible practices. Desert Farms is a registered trademark of Desert Farms, Ltd. Desert Farms is an independent, privately held company incorporated in London, United Kingdom.Where is Desert Farms located?
The company got its start in Los Angeles, California, in 2014. Our headquarters are located in the heart of downtown Santa Monica, CA. Our family farms, which supply 100% of Desert Farms’ camel milk, are in many countries around Europe.Am I supporting family farms if I purchase camel milk?
Absolutely! Desert Farms works with a network of family farms across Europe.Is camel milk natural?  
Yes. All natural.Do your camels have one hump or two?
Most of our farmers have Arabian camels, which are one-humped camels, often used for dairy production. Remember the letter D for Dromedary, D for delicious! Some of our other farmers have a herd of Bactrian’s, which are not currently used for milking and a nice collection of mixed breed.What does “Make everyday a hump day” really mean?
Drink Desert Farms Camel Milk daily and you'll know soon enough…