Peoples food prejudices develop for lots of different reasons.

A lot have been irreparably mentally scarred by being forced to eat grandmas grey, mushy Brussels sprouts and now run screaming from them even if they’ve been cooked nicely.

Some people just have a preconceived idea of what a particular ingredient is like and won’t even entertain the idea of eating it in case their worst fears are true.

And sometimes it’s just that it’s not a part of our everyday food culture and it seems so foreign we just can’t get our heads around it.

Goat meat, for example is the most widely eaten meat in the world, but with our Australian diet consisting mostly of pork, lamb and beef, a lot of people look at me when I talk about cooking with goat as though I’m trying to feed them cane toads.

And despite the fact that I love all food and will eat just about anything, I have to admit that a few years ago when I first tried camel’s milk, the idea of it freaked me out a bit.

Most of us have an image of camels in our heads as stubborn, dusty beasts that bite and spit, and perhaps that drives our prejudice to a degree.

Well, after a visit to Camelot Dairies at Scrubby Creek last week I can report back that these beautiful animals don’t live up to their stereotype at all, and that their love and affection for each other and for their owners Wayne and Melanie Fitzgibbon gives a person a very different perspective on drinking camel’s milk.

After watching a documentary about milking camels, Wayne, a dairy farmer of 20 years, and Melanie, a teacher with a thing for camels, were coaxed into giving it a go by their son Matthew, and went about the business of acquiring themselves a herd and building a dairy in which they milk, pasteurise and bottle the milk themselves.

The family only began producing and selling their milk a couple of months ago, but are quickly building a loyal following of customers who are drinking it for all sorts of different reasons. I’ve been drinking it for the past few days and I have to say I really look forward to it every day.

Camelot Dairies milk is available through Go Vita and Magic Meals in Gympie, and the Noosa Farmers Market each Sunday. As well as pure milk in 500ml, 1lt and 2lt bottles, Camelot Dairies also produce a range of soaps, lotions and shampoos from their milk.

At $20 per litre, it’s not the sort of product we can all splash on our cornflakes every morning, but it’s curative properties even in small amounts are quite remarkable.

I thought I’d list some of the interesting information I’ve come across interspersed with cute camel pictures below to keep your attention.

Please note I’m not a nutritionist and I’m not claiming that all or any of the information below is fact, you can search out the evidence for yourselves and make up your own minds. I would however encourage you if you get a chance, to forget any of those food prejudices you may have and give camel’s milk a try, it’s absolutely delicious.

Camelot Dairies

Ph. 0407631682

Email: info@camelotcameldairies.com.au

Web: www.camelotcameldairies.com.au

1.    Camel’s milk contains 10 times more iron and 3 times more vitamin C than cows milk. It also contains around 200 types of proteins including immunoglobulins which boost the immune system.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camel_mil2. Camel’s milk contains large amounts of insulin and is being used by diabetics around the world to reduce blood sugar thus reducing the amount of insulin they need to take. It is also claimed to prevent us from developing type 2 diabetes in the first place. http://www.mendosa.com/blog/?p=3317
   
   3. Camel’s milk is said to greatly improve gut health and help with issues such as irritable bowel syndrome.                      “Three years ago I was diagnosed with I.B.S but I have always had digestion issues and just didn’t know what they were. I could spend anywhere up to an hour at a time in the toilet and it was usually multiple times a day. I couldn’t tolerate anything in the onion family and spicy food… forget it…even the mildest of spices would see me running to the loo within 30 minutes. The most annoying part is never knowing when the dreaded urge to go will strike. On top of that is the uncomfortable bloating, cramping, constant farting and the stabbing pains. My wife and I were told about the gut healing properties of camel milk and whilst a tad skeptical we both thought “what do I have to lose?” It would either help or it wouldn’t and it couldn’t make it worse. I started with the recommended 125mL a day and in the first week alone my wife had noticed a difference in my toileting habits. I was going only twice a day and for only up to 30 minutes. The bloating, farting and cramping had drastically reduced and for the first time in a long time I had tacos without the instant rush to the toilet. I’m not a milk drinker and have always gone for cheese or yogurt for my dairy intake instead, but I have no issues in drinking the camel milk, in fact I no longer measure out milk into a glass and just take a big swig out of the bottle each day (if not multiple times a day) My wife and I are so happy I was given a chance to try the camel milk and are both thrilled with the results I’ve had. Drinking camel milk is now a part of my daily routine and I encourage anyone with gut health issues to give it a try. You have nothing to lose. The quality of the milk from Camelot Dairies is amazing and cannot be faulted. Thank you so much to both Wayne and Melanie for introducing us to your camels and their milk, we certainly don’t regret either.” Simon James 11.12.16
   4. There are numerous case studies of parents having remarkable and immediate results with their autistic children by giving them small amounts of camel’s milk each day. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3865381/                                                                                                                        “I have been giving my son with Autism camel milk from Camelot Dairies since Dec 13th. Within 2 days we started noticing changes beginning with his speech, his words were clearer (he was noisier but that’s because he was talking so much more) then after a few more days we realized that his aggression had subsided dramatically to pretty much nothing… We are totally amazed!! Thank you Mel & Wayne!!! A total godsend for us.” Simone Christensen 18.12.16
   5. Camel’s milk is the closest in structure to human milk, and is used in the Middle East to help premature babies grow and recover quickly.
   6. Camel’s milk used in soaps and lotions is very effective in treating skin disorders and irritations.                                            “I have never been so happy with a product before. My 3 month old daughter suffered with dry skin and I had tried other natural products on her as well as other dermatological recommended products which she had bad reactions too. I tried the Natural Camelmilk hand and body wash in the unscented range on her and within 3 days her skin was even softer and smoother than the day she was born. I myself suffer dry skin and use the product and could not be happier. It has totally changed bath time in our house for the better and I am very excited to share my experience with anyone who will stop to listen. Thank you Camelot Dairies for such a fabulous product.” Kelly Backhouse 6.12.16
   7. Due to its structure camel’s milk doesn’t lend itself to being made into cheese. I’ve tried it. Trust me, it doesn’t.
   8. A camel with no hump is called Humphrey, and if they want to hide they use camelflauge. Sorry, couldn’t resist finishing on a couple of Christmas cracker jokes.