With real milk that isn’t homogenized, it is quite normal to find a layer of cream that forms on top. If all you’ve had is the homogenized milk though, opening a container of milk to find this layer may be disturbing.
However, consider yourself lucky when you get cream on top of your milk. There is so much you can do with that cream.
- Put it on your coffee.
- Smear it onto toast or scones.
- Use it with the things you cook.
- Turn it into some other dairy-based dream come true.
Yes, you’re about to discover just how wonderful it is to have cream on top of your milk. You may even eat it with a spoon and swoon in the bliss of flavors that you’ll find. It’s really good.
So, let’s find out more about that cream-top milk and what it’s all about!
What Should I Do with The Cream on Top of My Milk?
Take a spoon and skim the cream off the top of your milk. From there, you can use it to cook with, put it in your coffee or tea, or enjoy it atop a cookie or toast. The cream on top of milk can also be shaken back into the milk to redistribute it evenly if this is what you prefer.
There are many things you can do with the cream on top of milk. Once you taste it, you’ll probably dream up more great ideas. But before you do, you might have a few questions about the cream on top of your milk.
Is The Cream on Top of Your Milk Good for You?
Yes, it most certainly is good for you. All kinds of milk, even the full-cream variety, are recommended to uphold balanced nutrition. Cream and milk contain plenty of calcium along with a bounty of protein, vitamins like B12, and minerals.
When you enjoy these foods, you can protect your heart from heart disease and stroke.
And, of course, it can’t hurt to get those stronger bones!
Full cream milk is great for everyone above the age of 12 months. Unless, of course, you have some dietary restrictions.
But for everyone else, milk it for what it’s worth because full-cream milk is great for giving you more energy and helping you stay healthy.
About That Thick Layer on Top Of The Milk
So, what IS that thick layer on top of milk called? Some refer to it as ‘lactoderm’ while others call it ‘milk skin.’ Call it what you like, but it’s merely a film of protein that forms on top of the milk.
When the milk settles, the cream layer develops. And that’s how you get that luscious cream-top milk.
If you’ve never had milk this way, try it. You’ll wonder why you ever settled for less.
What To Do with Cream from Milk
Since this creamy layer on your milk is there, you can breathe easily. This means it’s real.
- Not homogenized.
- Not chemically composed.
This milk, particularly in that upper layer, has a different taste. And it can change by the seasons too, showing you that it is very fresh.
Believe it or not, this is how ALL milk used to be. And that’s how your grandparents and great grandparents and everyone before them used to get their cream.
For some, though, it takes getting used to, so here’s what you can do with cream from milk:
- Mix the cream into the milk and then drink it from a glass
- Take that cream off the top and put it in your coffee
- Try it in your Earl Grey tea
- Make a Thai iced tea
- Enjoy it with fresh fruit, like strawberries and blueberries
- Spread it on bread, pastries, cookies, and more
Benefits of the Cream on Top of Your Milk
You get so many benefits from drinking cream top milk. The milk is heated at a minimum, so those fat globules persist in the final product.
– Plenty of Raw Protein
When you drink non-homogenized milk, you get pure nutrition. In one cup, that’s 8 grams of protein which is easier to digest than many other types.
And that means more amino acids that your body needs. It has whey proteins and casein, great stuff!
In fact, casein is the biggest protein in cow’s raw milk at over 70%. Whey protein makes up about 20%.
Protein helps your muscles build. It makes your hair, nails, and skin look better too. And you get more elasticity.
With muscles, raw milk has been proven to help repair muscle damage for athletes. Have a glass of this cream on top of the milk after working out, and you can minimize that damage.
You can also boost muscle repair. And increase strength. And! You may feel less sore too.
While it is higher in fat, it is good for a healthy lifestyle. It’s a better alternative to processed drinks.
– Better Bone Support
They’ve always said to drink milk for strong bones. Milk has calcium, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin K2, and protein.
Almost all of the calcium stores in your body are in your bones. Cream-top milk can help lower your risk for brittle bones with osteoporosis.
– May Prevent Weight Gain
It might sound counterintuitive, but this cream on top of full-fat milk can minimize chances for obesity. Because it has so much protein but so low carbs, you get more energy.
And that helps too because it can keep you from craving those unhealthy foods. This will stop you from eating more calories than you should.
Those that consume more calcium are less likely to become overweight as well, so fill up your cup with this cream-top milk!
What Nutrients Are in Cream-Top Milk?
You’ll be glad to know that when you choose cream-top milk, you’re getting loads of nutrition that your body more readily absorbs.
The nutrients in cream top milk are:
- Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- Essential fatty acids
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Vitamins A, D, and K12
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Whey protein
- Immunoglobulins
How To Separate Cream from Homogenized Milk
In the olden days, people would skim the cream from the top of a bottle or jar of fresh milk. They would then use it to make other things.
You can make that cream on top of your milk into sour cream. Or whipped cream. And yes, you can make butter and more too.
But if you only grew up with homogenized milk, you may not have the faintest idea. In fact, some people nearly faint when they see this cream on top.
They think it’s not supposed to be there. Oh, but it should be!
However, you can’t separate cream from homogenized milk. The fat globules in it have been broken down so much; it won’t happen.
You need to get non-homogenized milk to get that cream. Buy the cream on top styles of milk.
How To Get the Cream?
There are a few ways you can separate cream from milk. Again, this must be non-homogenized milk, or else you’ll have no luck.
– Use a Ladle
With a ladle, you can scoop your cream with ease. Patience is a virtue here, though, as the milk must sit still for at least 24 hours.
This lets the cream rise to the top. You’ll see the line in the jar.
Dip your ladle into that cream layer but without going too deep. The cream is thick and has a yellowish hue. The milk is thinner.
Now take that cream in your ladle and pour it into a separate jar. Keep doing this until you get almost all the cream out.
Yes, you CAN remove ALL the cream, but the milk will taste better and have more texture if you leave a little bit in there with it.
– Grab Your Turkey Baster
For a smaller line of cream, a turkey baster is a great tool.
Be careful, though. Overzealous squeezing can result in a spray of cream all over yourself and your kitchen!
– Use a Lemonade Container
You know those containers you can use for lemonade or iced tea for your party? If you pour cream on top of the milk in there, you can separate the cream.
You’ll need to let it sit for at least 24 hours. Then, open the tap at the bottom. The skimmed milk will flow out while the cream will stay floating on top.
When it gets to the end of the milk layer, you can grab that cream layer in a different container.
– Get a Cream Separator
It’s a bigger investment because it’s an antique item. And they can be large too. But if you have access to lots of fresh milk every day, perhaps by way of farm, it will be an incredible investment.
This would be essential if you have goats, too, and want to separate the cream.
As for the rest of you that live in the cities and suburbs, a cream separator can also come in handy as it saves a lot of time, plus, it makes the separation much more efficient and easier.
Ideas For That Cream on Top of Your Milk
Now that you have extracted your cream from your milk, you can start using it. Why not make homemade ice cream? It will taste like magic.
You can make sour cream that will be perfect for your Taco Tuesday!
How about making butter? Skip all the additives from store-bought brands and make your own.
After making ice cream, you can make whipped cream too. It will go beautifully on top for a sundae. Or you can top your coffee and Bailey’s with it too.
But of course, if you don’t feel like going through all of that, at the very least, skim the cream off the top of your milk.
Use that cream for your coffee or tea. Pair it with fresh fruits. Make cream-based soups more luscious.
Thicken up a sauce with a rich and creamy taste. That white-based cheese sauce for your pasta will be absolutely incredible when you use the cream on top of your milk.
Bottom Line About Cream-Top Milk
Cream-top milk provides more rich nutrients for you. While it is full-fat, it’s healthy because it has so many great proteins, amino acids, and other nutritious elements that help your body thrive.
If you’ve never seen cream on top of your milk in the fridge, that’s because you have homogenized milk. You’ll need to buy the non-homogenized types of milk like from Straus, for example, or your local farmer’s market.
Letting this cream-top milk sit undisturbed for 24 hours is key to revealing the layer of cream.
When you see it, you will be able to scoop it out for use in other ways. Or shake it up and just enjoy the richness of milk the way it SHOULD taste… without all that processing!