can I ask what is probably a dumb question about raw milk?

[bloogrssgrl]

Hi.

I don't have cows so forgive my ignorance.

I am thinking of finding a place to buy raw milk from and, since I know there aren't going to be any very close by, I am wondering if it can be frozen to keep and then thawed to use later? I'd like to cut down on making trips to buy it whenever I do find a supplier. Will it affect the milk at all?

And PLEASE spare me - I know the ice-cream jokes will be obvious!!!

[ladycat]

Yes, it can be frozen. When you thaw it, it sometimes separates a bit, but whirling it in the blender for a few seconds fixes that.

Freezing doesn't seem to affect the flavor.

[matt_man]

It freezes and thaws just fine. Sometimes the cream with be a bit "gritty" but you can just skim it off and make butter with it. It still makes fine butter.

Here is a link to realmilk.com and places to find it in PA:
http://www.realmilk.com/where4.html#pa

Rachel

[Up North]

There's a farmer in my area who makes his living by selling raw milk. He has a seasonal herd and so stockpiles milk and sells it frozen while his cows are dry. This works very well for him to deal with frozen milk. Heather

[bloogrssgrl]

Thank you all.

Rachel, I did come across that website and found a place that sells raw milk about 20 minutes from where I live. Although, it's $4.50 per 1/2 gallon. Ouch. I spoke a woman at the farm they buy it from and they will sell it by the gallon fo $7. However, it is a 40 minute drive. So I can't win for losin'.

I'm really hoping in a year or two we will have our own cow. In the mean time, I guess I'll have to pay the price.