Did you know the donkey milk exists? And that his cheese is more expensive of the world? Cows produce about 20 liters of milk, while donkeys only produce a few 4. To make a kilo of donkey cheese we would need some 20 liters of their milk. Do you know why it is so expensive? Specifically, in Serbia is the most expensive cheese in the world. This comes from some rather curious specimens Want to know more? Keep reading!
Balkan donkeys
Zasavica, 90 kilometers from the Serbian capital, belgrade, houses some small donkeys known as "Balkan donkeys". They are smaller than usual, but their cheese It has caused much expectation around the world. However, before they began to breed in this territory, they were mistreated at agricultural fairs in nearby towns.
Thanks to the former Prime Minister, Slobodan Simic, who fell in love with this region of 18 square kilometers and of these animals, currently Zasavica houses 180 copies. the donkeys of Zasavica still produce less milk, only 300 milliliters a day.
“We did something in the middle of nowhere. We always have to find new ways to survive. It's easy when they say 'sustainable tourism', but it's not easy. We want to be the best. We know we can't change the world, we can't change Serbia, but we always want to do it a little bit better than normal. That is our mission» Vukadinovic, head of the farm.
The donkey farm is part of an agricultural project that aspires to be self-sustaining. A campsite is also part of it, considered among 2013 and 2014 and the best in Europe.
Benefits of donkey milk
Es very rich in fatty acids and vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C, D and E). Hence the success of its dermatological properties. For that reason donkey milk is known to be an exceptional cosmetic remedy. Its regenerative capacity of the skin is due to its high content of retinol, a powerful antioxidant used in numerous cosmetic formulations. In fact, since ancient times it is believed that its consumption delays aging. There are stories that tell Cleopatra bathed in it.
And not only did the youngest queen of Egypt. The Romans they already used the milk donkey for its therapeutic properties. Emperor Néron's wife, Poppée, used it to keep her skin youthful and supple. In addition, donkey milk improves the immune system thanks to its high content of immunoglobulin and lysozyme. Both components are essential in protecting the body and are only found in breast milk. In fact, this milk is often used to feed babies in orphanages.
We have tried to locate the nutritional information of this milk, but the values change significantly depending on the source consulted. In the BEDCA (Spanish Food Composition Database) donkey milk does not appear. However, if we have breast milk (which would be the most similar): 288 calories, 4,03 grams of fat, 1,15 grams of protein, 29 mg of calcium, 47 mg of potassium, 3,2 mg of magnesium, 15 mg of phosphorus.
Where to buy products made with donkey milk?
#Good Morning! 😀#ViandasHaciendaZorita invests in the production of a donkey milk cheese
????https://t.co/asgVD5cWQ8@ITACYL @cheesecontest #cheeselovers pic.twitter.com/JLqQEWzrdF
- ORIGEN Magazine (@origenonline) May 4, 2022
In Spanish supermarkets it is still not common to find milk o donkey cheese. It is almost more common to see soaps or creams. However, if you feel like trying the donkey cheese you can buy it through this link. Of course, it will not be the same as the cheese of the Balkan donkeys. And still so alone 200 grams it costs us $19,95.
eye, in Zamora, Spain a cooperative has emerged, buleza, that since 2019 aims to imitate Serbian cheese from Zasavica. But, at a more affordable price, since a kilo of Serbian cheese costs about 1000 euros. The price they want to get is $100 el kilo. It should be noted that it already points out ways. In the latest edition of World Cheese Awards Last November this Zamorano cheese achieved, nothing more and nothing less, than the gold.
We are starting to produce now, the first products are being presented at fairs and the results are very good. Jesús de Gabriel Pérez, president of Buleza and secretary of the Zamorano-Leonés Donkey Association (Aszal)
