If you have ever opened a bottle of Mistyglen milk and noticed a thick, creamy layer sitting right at the top, you have discovered one of the main reasons our milk is different. That layer is the cream rising naturally, because our milk is non homogenized. That’s why we have notes to Shake first, this is intentional and we want to see the cream rise!
So what does non homogenized milk mean exactly?
Homogenization is a process that most big milk processors use to make milk look uniform. The milk is pushed through very fine screens under high pressure so the cream particles are broken down and spread evenly throughout the milk. This means you will not see the cream rise to the top because it has been forced to stay mixed in.
At Mistyglen we skip this extra step. By keeping our milk non homogenized, the cream is left just the way it naturally was meant to be. That is why you will notice the cream line form at the top of the bottle. You can shake it up to mix it back in, or it is completely fine (and encouraged!) to pour off that top layer for an extra rich treat in your coffee or cereal.
Many people tell us they prefer non homogenized milk because it reminds them of how milk used to be. Others say they love the flavour and richness that comes from letting the milk stay as close to its natural state as possible.
We also want to note that non homogenized does not mean it is not pasteurized. Non homogenized milk is still pasteurized, but at a low temperature, so it is completely safe while still maintaining much of its natural goodness. It really is the best of both worlds: milk that tastes like it came right from the farm, with the safety standards you can trust.
If you have not tried non homogenized milk before, grab a bottle of Mistyglen and watch the cream rise to the top. It is fresh, it is local, and it is milk the way it was meant to be.