Basically, cow’s milk was considered healthy for a long time. Recently, however, there has been an increase in the number of statements warning of the negative properties of the glandular secretion. And environmental aspects also ensure that milk consumption in Germany is declining. Warentest has tasted it anyway.
With advertising slogans such as “Milk makes tired men perk up”, cow’s milk used to be touted as the unalterable basis of a healthy diet. Today, the saying would probably be supplemented by a few, some confusing, special characters so that women and others would reach for the frosted glass more often. But that doesn’t change the fact that milk can score points with the proteins it contains, such as casein and whey proteins, fat, B vitamins and calcium.
Recently, however, some doubts have arisen regarding the health-promoting properties of the glandular secretion from the cow. If you believe the warning voices, milk can cause chronic inflammation in the body. For example, dermatologists recommend that acne sufferers avoid cow’s milk so that the pustules can heal. But more and more people in this country are also turning to milk substitutes for environmental reasons.
Irrespective of this, the dairy industry has reacted and is offering more variety. In 2021, almost every fourth fresh milk was organic, plus hay and pasture milk. Hay milk comes from cows that only eat roughage such as grass and hay, pasture milk from animals that are at least part of the time on the meadow. They are usually more expensive than conventional milk. But as long as no warnings are emblazoned on milk packs, all is right with the world for the time being.
For example for the Stiftung Warentest. She tested fresh whole milk. Traditionally made and longer lasting. And at least answers the question of how far the product quality of the goods is. The result is pleasing: 18 of the 28 products are “good”, 6 even “very good”. Especially organic milk scores. In addition, no pathogens or antibiotic residues were found in the products examined. Almost all milk is microbiologically very good and therefore often has a longer shelf life than indicated.
The worst judgment is “satisfactory”. This affected four products at once. Among other things, the “Landliebe Fresh Country Milk” (grade 3.0). The tasted the testers too “chemical-plastic-like”. Four of the longer-lasting ones weren’t heated gently enough. As a result, the quality has to suffer. This is the case, for example, with the “K-Classic Fresh Whole Milk” from Kaufland (grade 2.8) and the “Fresh Country Milk from Thüringer Land” (3.2).
Five of the six test winners have an organic seal: “Dennree, die Nordfrische” (1.5) from Edeka and “Schwarzwaldmilch, die Heumilch” (1.2) from the Gläserne Molkerei and “Arla-Weidemilch” (1.5) . Aldi’s “animal welfare pasture milk” (1.3) is the sixth “very good”. All received the top mark of 1.0 in the tasting. They smell and taste pure and complex. At 1.39 to 1.89 euros per liter, they are up to 80 cents more expensive than, for example, cheap good milk for 1.09 euros (including “Milsani Fresh Vollmich” from Aldi or “Gut
Important to know: Denrree and Edeka products are not homogenized. That means cream flakes can be seen and felt. Some like it, some don’t.
(This article was first published on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.)
