Camel Milk vs Buttermilk: Which is Better?

Coming from “the cow of the desert,” camel milk is a unique and very intriguing milk choice…

It’s one of those that you just have to try – and not only because it’s super unique, but also because it has a great flavor and some awesome nutritional characteristics! We’ll really dive into it and check it out, and we’ll also compare it to the popular buttermilk!

You’ve likely seen buttermilk in stores, and probably even used it, as many recipes call for the thick, tangy, and slightly sour milk for its unique taste and ability to moisten bakes. That said, it’s quite different from camel milk in many cases, so we’ve got to put these two side-by-side and get to the bottom of which one is better!

Let’s check them out!

Comparing camel milk vs buttermilk

Both milks here are animal-based, which is evident in them having milk as an allergen. Camel milk is paleo-friendly, which some people might argue – we ensured that the brands we researched are suitable for the special diet, but check the label to make sure!

Other than that, neither camel milk or buttermilk are particularly good for vegan or keto diets, as they come from animals and are high in carbs.

	Camel milk	Buttermilk (lowfat/1%)
Type	Animal-based	Animal-based
Allergens	Milk*	Milk
Vegan?	No	No
Paleo?	Yes (brand we researched is certified Paleo, but some may debate this)	No
Keto?	No	No

*Contains milk protein which may or may not be tolerated by people with a cow’s milk allergy (the most common milk allergy).

Differences between camel milk and buttermilk

The main difference between camel milk and buttermilk is what animal they come from, with further differences in their flavors and textures!

Camel milk comes from camels, and has made its way to the USA after being a staple in Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African cultures for hundreds of years! 

It comes in many different versions – you can get it in powder form, fresh from the source, or frozen. That said, camel milk is usually “lightly” pasteurized in order to keep all its nutrients intact! Taste-wise, it has a very distinct flavor, described as slightly sweet and nutty. It boasts a creamy texture that’s similar to regular milk, but it’s not quite as creamy as buttermilk…

Buttermilk is a very thick and creamy milk made by adding a probiotic culture to pasteurized or homogenized milk, which ferments it to create a tangy and slightly sour beverage that’s perfect for baking many delicious dishes! It’s specifically called for in many cases, and it does a great job of moistening different bakes such as cakes!

How to use camel milk vs buttermilk

Your camel milk and buttermilk can be used in several awesome ways, including:

Camel milk:

• Add it to your coffee or tea. 
• Mix it into smoothies and oatmeal for extra creaminess.
• Create creamy soups, curries, and sauces.
• Pour it over your cereal or granola.
• Make ice cream or pudding with it. 
• Bake with it.

Buttermilk:

• Tenderize meat.
• Add moisture to things like pancakes, cookies, and moist cakes.
• Use as a base for dressings and dips.
• Use as marinades and brines.
• Make the many recipes that call for it.
• Drink on its own or use it like kefir.

Can you substitute camel milk for buttermilk?

That’s a little tricky…

You could use these interchangeably in things like smoothies, pancakes, waffles, and other bakes, but the big differences in flavor and texture will really change up the way the dishes turn out when you substitute one for the other…

Also, I’d recommend sticking with buttermilk in recipes that call for it rather than using camel milk instead, as the recipe likely needs buttermilk’s tangy taste and thicker texture.

Nutrition: Camel milk vs buttermilk

Camel milk and buttermilk are both high in calories, and boast a lot of carbs. They also have a decent amount of fat, with camel milk having 2 more total grams of fat per serving. 

They’re both good in protein, with buttermilk boasting 10 grams per serving and camel milk having 6 grams. Sugar is high in both, but you’ll get some great calcium out of either! Camel milk and buttermilk aren’t particularly high in vitamin D, but they do offer some – camel milk is also rich in other vitamins!

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Camel milk	Buttermilk (lowfat/1%)
Calories	110	120
Total fat (saturated)	4.5 g (3 g)	2.5 g (2 g)
Total carbs	11 g	15 g
Total sugars (incl. added)	8 g (0 g)	11 g (0 g)
Protein	6 g	10 g
Calcium	35% DV	25% DV
Vit D	6% DV	10% DV

How to store camel milk and buttermilk

Camel milk is best stored in the fridge. This will prevent it from going rancid too soon, and will keep its unique flavor strong! Try to finish it within a week, or freeze it if you want to keep it for even longer.

Buttermilk should be stored in the fridge too, and also be finished within a week – we found around 5 days to be the best in terms of freshness, but some brands say it’ll last up to 14 days. Just be sure to double check it if you’re keeping it for that long.

Camel milk vs buttermilk: Which is better?

Which animal-based milk is the one for you?

Well, they’re both obviously great with some awesome pros and few cons. For one, camel milk and buttermilk are high in protein, have lots of calcium, are creamy, and provide some unique flavors. On the other hand, they’re both high in sugar, carbs, and calories, which can be a con depending on your needs and wants.

Overall, camel milk is a great nutrient-rich choice, but buttermilk takes the win here for being very versatile in different recipes, having a great application in bakes, and boasting a unique flavor and texture that’s sought-after in many dishes!

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