What Is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is natural, unaltered milk taken straight from the cow, so it has all the vitamins and minerals essential for a complete and properly balanced food. Raw milk is not pasteurized or homogenized (to blend the milk and fat), and is minimally processed – usually just filtered and bottled with no additives. When cows are pasture-grazed, their raw milk has been known to reduce allergies and milk reactions. And, because raw milk contains lactobacilli bacteria which help digest lactose, many people who are lactose-intolerant can enjoy milk again.

Belue Farms’ grade A raw milk comes from Milky Way Farms located in Starr, S.C. Milky Way cows are all Jerseys. These cows are known for their high overall quality of milk.  The milk has 20% more protein, 20% more calcium and 25% more butterfat than most other milks.  And Milky Way cows graze in a relaxed pasture and receive no hormones or steroids. In addition, the S.C. Health Department tests Milky Way milk monthly for e.coli, bacteria, and SCC (somatic cell count which can indicate mastitis infection), and yearly for TB and Brucellosis (Bangs disease). Milky Way Farms also voluntarily tests its milk annually for Johnes disease to ensure the healthiest cows and best quality milk available.

Milky Way raw milk is unique because it is chilled to 40 degrees or below within seconds of leaving the cow. This allows no time for bacteria to multiply. (No other raw milk dairy in South Carolina offers this process!) Because of this rapid chilling, Milky Way raw milk will last three to four weeks in a refrigerator at 40 degrees or below – although you’ll probably drink it long before that!