This morning I read a story on MSN entitled, “Trafficking In Raw Milk.” Being a lover (and long-time drinker) of raw milk, I had to see what it was all about. Apparently, it is a crime to sell raw milk in most of these United States. Some of the more progressive states (like Idaho) permit the sale of raw milk, but exhaustive testing is required to make sure the product is safe.
So the article suggested that if you want to find out about raw milk suppliers in your area you google the words raw milk followed by your state. Being the curious type, I did just as they directed and surprise, surprise. One of the best known raw milk suppliers in the state of Idaho, Paradise Springs Farm, is right down the road from Island Park in the Teton Valley.
Drinking raw milk will cure just about everything that ails you, according to proponents. Conversely, pasteurized milk causes just about everything that ails you. So why wouldn’t you want to drink only raw milk? Well, unclean raw milk can produce a host of really ugly diseases (like bovine tuberculosis.) So how do you know if the dairy is clean? The best way is to inspect (or in Idaho you can depend on the USDA to do that for you.) Paradise Springs Farm in Victor, Idaho claims their milking parlor is as clean as an operating room. That would probably solve a large part of the potential problem.
My advice if you want to drink raw milk (and I recommend you at least give it a try) is to visit the dairy from which you’ll be buying the milk and assure yourself that it’s clean and sanitary. Then have a go. Raw milk has a pleasant flavor and many beneficial, probiotic bacteria that will boost your immune system, stabilize things in your gut, and generally make you feel better. Try it and see what you think.
More than anything….RAW MILK, makes the most delicious ice cream!