EXPORTING MILK, BUT NOT FROM COWS
Most of the milk consumed in America comes from cows, but milk from a surprising source is benefiting some producers in India. No, not goats, but camels.
According to a Times of India report, camel milk is selling for as much as $50 a liter, thanks to customers in America who value the milk for its purported medicinal value. That’s a boon to camel breeders in Rajasthan, who provide the milk to processing plants in Bikaner, Kutch, and Surat. Hitesh Rathi of Aadvik Foods and Products Pvt Ltd sells 6,000 liters of the milk on Amazon. com per month.
Despite the paucity of scientific evidence, the milk (sold in powdered and liquid form) is used to treat “autism, diabetes, joint pain, and diseases related to immunity,” according to TOI.
If your local health food store carries camel milk, you may want to give it a try. But be careful when you pour it. At $50 per liter, you’ll definitely cry over spilled milk.
Compiled and partly written by Indian humorist MELVIN DURAI, author of the novel Bala Takes the Plunge.
[Comments? Contributions? We would love to hear from you about Chai Time. If you have contributions, please email us at melvin@melvindurai.com. We welcome jokes, quotes, online clips, and more.]
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