It won’t be long until you’re at a Starbucks or Gloria Jeans and you hear the barista yell out “one Camelccino”, as more and more cafes in the Middle East embrace camel milk instead of regularly cow milk. Although it seems that camel milk is becoming a new trend, the truth is that putting camel milk in coffee is an old tradition that’s making a comeback.
The story of camel milk in coffee is as rich and frothy as the beverage itself. While camel milk has been a staple for Bedouins for millennia, its journey into your latte is a more recent phenomenon. Imagine ancient nomads gathered around a fire, sipping on camel milk, and fast forward to today's hipsters in air-conditioned cafés, doing essentially the same thing but with a shot of espresso and a selfie stick.
In the Gulf, camel milk has been making waves in the coffee scene in recent years. The international chain Costa Coffee became the first major coffee shop to offer camel milk as an alternative to cow's milk in their UAE stores in 2013.
Now, you're probably wondering, what does camel milk in coffee taste like? Prepare your taste buds for a surprise! Camel milk has been described as having a sweet, salty, and creamy taste. It's also waterier than cow’s milk. It’s definitely an acquired taste.
But why camel milk, you might ask? Of course there is the novelty factor, as we all desire new experiences, especially in the world of Instagram and TikTok. Camel milk is also significantly more nutritious than traditional cows milk, while being lower in fat, as well as being very low in lactose, so great for the growing number of individuals with lactose intolerances.
The popularity of camel milk coffee has spawned a whole new industry. Companies have popped up across the Gulf, catering for the increased demand. More Camel products are also hitting the market, with Camel ice cream, chocolate and even baby formula.
It’s not just the Gulf and Middle East where camel milk is taking hold. All over Europe Camel milk is becoming more common, after the EU legalised the sale of our humped friends produce in 2013. Camel milk is also becoming increasingly popular in China, Russia and even the United States. The camel milk industry shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, 2024 was declared the International Year of Camelids by the UN.
Investments in camel dairy farms are popping up faster than you can say "Got milk?" From Saudi Arabia to Kazakhstan, and even as far as Australia and the US, entrepreneurs are betting big on the camel milk boom. It's only a matter of time before your local coffee shop offers a "Camel Milk Macchiato" alongside its oat and almond alternatives.
So, the next time you're in the Middle East (or maybe even at your corner café), why not give camel milk coffee a try? It's a taste of tradition with a modern twist. Whether you're a Bedouin in the desert or a banker in New York, who doesn’t enjoy a camel milk coffee!
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