The future for camel milk is so bright that the FAO predicts that the dairy product could appear one day on European supermarket shelves.

But certain structural problems must first be overcome. Although demand from the Sahara to Mongolia is booming, the 5.4 million tons produced every year isn't enough to go round.

The FAO is confident however that investment within the sector - not only at local level - can help camel milk meet demand and even move into lucrative markets in the Middle East and the West.

The organization estimates there are an estimated 200 million potential customers in the Arab world and millions more in Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Nutrition

While slightly saltier than cow's milk, camel milk is highly nutritious. Designed after all for animals that live in some of the roughest environments, it is three times as rich in Vitamin C as cow's milk.

In Russia, Kazakhstan and India doctors often prescribe it to convalescing patients. Aside from Vitamin C, it is known to be rich in iron, unsaturated fatty acids and B vitamins.

Camelbert

Another major challenge is that although camel milk keeps longer than cow's, it still has a limited shelf life. One solution is to turn surplus milk into longer-lived cheese. In 1992, the FAO, which had developed the technology to make camel cheese, arranged for a French expert to go to Mauritania to show British-born engineering graduate, Nancy Abdurrahman how to use a special enzyme to give her products the right consistency.

The result was a soft cheese quickly dubbed Camelbert. In 1993, Abeiderrahmane received the Rolex business enterprise award for her breakthrough.

Camel chocolate

An easier sell would appear to be the low-fat, camel milk chocolate, which A Vienna-based chocolatier, Johann Georg Hochleitner intends to launch a low-fat, camel milk chocolate this autumn. With funding from the Abu Dhabi royal family, his company plans to make the chocolate in Austria from powdered camel milk produced at Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates, then ship 50 tons back to the Gulf each month.

Source : http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2006/06/07/camel_milk_anyone.php

Replying to [Usama El Kady]:

Dear Usama El Kady,

Camel milk can be an alternative for people who can not breed cows in the desert conditions and for nomadic people who breed camels.
But, when it comes to commercialisation, regular supply for the market is very important.Besides there is also another problem to solve, cooling and keeping its good specialties in the heath of deserts since the camels are generally breeded and milked by the nomadic people. However it is good to be thought as a ready potential source.

Yarenimex

Replying to [yarenimex]:

Replying to [Usama El Kady]:

This is the first time I heard of camel milk. I thought camel for preserving water.

Thank you gentlemen for broadening my horizons.

Moolan

Replying to [Moolan99]:

Yes, camels are very strong to stand against being thirsty and lack of water.That's why they are also called as "Mercedes of the Deserts"

Yarenimex

Replying to yarenimex]:

camels---"Mercedes of the Deserts".   It's interesting.

Moolan

Replying to [Moolan99]:

Dear Moolan99,

Camels are the only animals which can stand to pass the deserts accross with so little food and water,and including sand storms,too . So they deserve it.

Yarenimex

Replying to [Usama El Kady]:Gr8 insight Usama, I have never heard of it.

Replying to [Usama El Kady]:
What an absolutely fabulous idea. I especially like the camelbert cheese. Being a lover of fine cheeses, I can't wait to taste it.
Thank you Usama for bringing this to our attention.

I am waiting for macs2005 to appear here and tell us about Yak Milk.
I've heard that's supposed to be good too.
But yakbert cheese?

Replying to [grigo]:

Oh, yes, yak cheese (yakbert surely) is available here and tastes good - mild taste, not too salty, a bit smelly. Quite popular with expats here. Also made into hard cheese which is a delicacy especially for snacks among the mountain people and some city folks.

macs2005

Replying to [grigo]:

Dear Grigo,

If you like cheese so much, you should also try the Turkish "cheese with herbs ". It goes very well with beer together with wallnuts.

Replying to [grigo]:

It is a well-known fact that camel’s milk is a rich food due to its nutritious elements, said Dr. Mazen Ali Naji, Director General of the Complex, and its richness in proteins had prompted the Zayed Complex to carry out such studies. The unique composition of camel’s milk has been proved to fortify the immunity system. It has a heavy chain of amino acids and IGG molecules, said Dr. Naji. Regarding protective proteins, camel milk contains high levels of lactoferrin and peptidoglycan that have proved effective in protecting the human body against various diseases. Dr. Naji pointed out that camel’s milk has also proved effective in treating some types of cancer.

Personally, I drink it several times since 5 years, and I realy find that it is full of power and has a good effects on body activity. You have to try it.