Out of the desert

Camel's milk could hit UK shelves

The BBC: Camel's milk could become the latest super food to hit the shelves of health food shops and upmarket retailers.
The United Nations is calling for the milk, which is rich in vitamins B and C and has 10 times more iron than cow's milk, to be sold to the West.

Camel's milk, which is slightly saltier than traditional milk, is drunk widely across the Arab world and is well suited to cheese production. ...

As well as its high mineral and vitamin content, research has suggested that antibodies in camel's milk can help fight diseases like cancer, HIV/Aids Alzheimer's and hepatitis C.

And work is on-going to see whether it can have a role in reducing the effects of diabetes and heart disease.

The UN's food arm, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), wants producers in countries from Mauritania to Kazakhstan to start selling camel's milk to the West.

It hopes donors and investors will help develop the market.

Meat and dairy expert at the FAO Anthony Bennett said: "The potential is massive. Milk is money."

I've always thought of the camel as one of those magical animals that entire cultures once were absolutely dependant on. Like the Mongolians and their horses, the Greeks and the sheep--Arabs used every part of the camel, and built an entire way of life around it.

Maybe this'll be the magic bullet that helps them join the 21st century.

Uncredited AP photo of camel via BBC.