There’s just something so loveable about domesticated water buffalos, including the proper name – Bubalus bubalis. They’re “gentle giants,” weighing in at up to 2650 pounds and living for an average of 25 years.
There are more than 130 million of them in the world and we could look at pictures of them all day!
Most of us would be thrilled to have water buffalo milk for making Mozzarella and other cheeses.
Why?
The milk is superior to cow’s milk in just about every way – the butterfat content averages a whopping 8% (!) with more protein, more calcium and LESS cholesterol. As a result, it’s thicker and sweeter than cow’s milk.
From waterbuffaloes.com
Unfortunately, most of us don’t have access to it.
Why?
The main reason is that water buffalos produce much less milk per day than cows. On average, it’s probably the same amount you would get from a goat. That makes it very hard to make a living from the sale of the milk and the making of cheese.
The only way to make it work is to charge a much higher price for the milk, cheese and other dairy products.
The prices average $8 – $10/ quart.
Even just to try it, we’re willing to pay the price, but where are the dairies?
We did a little Googling to find out if we could buy water buffalo milk anywhere in the US. We were looking specifically for places where folks are raising water buffalos and selling the milk (as opposed to water buffalo farms where the milk is only sold to cheese companies). For example, there is a large water buffalo farm in Colorado, run by Colorado Correctional Industries, but all their milk is contracted to a cheese maker and so, unavailable to the public.
We compiled the short list below. Note: This list is very fluid. For reasons we mentioned above, water buffalo farms have a very fast turnover in the US. Always call them first and, if you do, let us know about any changes you discover. If we have missed any places you know of, let us know about that as well – (jeri@cheesemaking.com).
California
Palo Alto
Morsey’s Creamery
125 University Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94301
sales@morseys.com
(650) 665-7146
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/morseyscreamery/
Products: Mozzarella di Bufala, Burrata di Bufula, Yogurt, Gelato, Frapes
Milk: Sold by the pint and quart.
Note: The ranch is in Santa Rosa.
Colorado
Carbondale
Rocking TT Bar
Carbondale, Colorado
(970) 615-0098
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/waterbuffalodairy/
Instagram – @rocking_tt_bar/
Milk: Raw milk shares available.
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Yuma
Sarah Bella Buffalo Dairy
Yuma, Colorado
camelotcameldairy@gmail.com
(970) 630-2761
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Sarah-Bella-Buffalo-Dairy-LLC-113058096826518/
Milk: You can buy their milk (non-homogenized, flash pasteurized) at the Carrell Farms website: 1 liter/$16. Will ship. – https://carrellfarms.com/milk/
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Wray
HX Butterfield Dairy
251-201 E. 3rd St.
Wray, CO 80758
thardesty29@gmail.com
(970) 371-1268
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Hx-butterfield-dairy-llc-251631772369788/
Milk: We know their intention was to sell milk, but we haven’t heard back from them about whether they do or not.
Maine
Appleton
ME Water Buffalo Co.
232 Old County Rd.
Appleton, ME 04862
mewaterbuffaloco@gmail.com
(207) 785-6493
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ME-Water-Buffalo-Co-196132817095180/
Products: Mozzarella di Bufula, Marinated (or not) Bocconcini, Creamtop Yogurt, Fromage blanc, Ricotta Salata Crumbles, Aislinn Cheese, Buffeta, Siciliam Style Gelato and, sometimes – Burrata, Kefir, Cultured Butter & Whey/Whole Milk Ricotta
Milk: (Regular Creamline and Chocolate Creamline) when available.
Note: Unfortunately, they cannot ship out of state.
New Jersey
Asbury
Riverine Ranch
247 Cemetery Hill Rd.
Asbury, New Jersey 08802
buffalo@riverineranch
(908) 619-6731
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/RiverineRanch
Instagram – @riverineranch
Products: Labneh, Mozzarella, Yogurt, Brie, Farmstead Aged, Washrind, Mango lassi
Milk: Sold by the quart – $8.
New York
Interlaken
Ithica Milk
3491 Kellys Corners Rd
Interlaken, NY 14847
ithaca.milk.llc@gmail.com
(607) 532-6455
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ithacamilk
Products: Yogurt (Plain, Black Cherry, and Maple)
Milk: We have seen it packaged, but we haven’t heard from them about whether they are selling it now.
Pennsylvania
Bird in Hand
Miller’s Organic Farm
648 Mill Creek School Rd
Bird in Hand, PA 17505
help@MillersOrganicFarm.com
(717) 556-0672
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyHealthyFoodClub
Products: Yogurt
Milk: From the farm listed below. Sold by the gallon. Delivered to club members.
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Quarryville
Buffalo Valley Pastures Farm
114 Pumping Station Road
Quarryville, Lancaster County, PA
buffalovalleypastures@gmail.com
(717) 786-0713
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/buffalovalleypastures/
Products: Milk: Raw, grass fed water buffalo milk in pints, quarts, 1/2 gallons and gallons. All sizes are available in glass or plastic. Shipping in PA only (for now). Order at their website.
Note: To talk to a person, call 8-8:30am Mon-Fri. Or, leave a message anytime.
Texas
Blanco
Orobianco Milk Co.
Blanco, TX
Instagram – @orobiancomilk
Products: Mozzarella, Gelato
Note: Sorry, but we have no address or contact information about this new company. There was an article in Modern Farmer last January – (click here)
