So, why is there cream on top of milk?Basically, cream top milk – or non-homogenised milk – is milk with large fat molecules, that band together and cause a thick layer of cream that rises to the top of the milk. This creamy layer can be removed by simply stirring it into the milk underneath it, or (if you fancy a treat) it can be scooped out and eaten like regular double cream, perhaps on top of a slice of chocolate cake or some strawberries. Alternatively, it can be removed either partly, which brings us ‘less cream milk’, or entirely, which brings us ‘no cream milk’.
Yummy though it may be, it can sometimes look a tad unappetising, and you might not want a clump of cream pouring out alongside milk on top of your morning cornflakes. So, many dairy producers these days homogenise their milk, which essentially breaks up the fat molecules so that they stay suspended throughout the milk, rather than all sticking together into a creamy layer on the surface.
What’s the homogenisation process?
Dairy farmers first worked out how to stop their milk from separating into milk and cream in the 1920s, through a process called homogenisation. A long, complicated-sounding word it may be, but the process is actually relatively quick and simple.
It’s a purely mechanical process, without any added ingredients, during which the non-homogenised milk is heated and stirred vigorously (agitated) and forced through a layer of membrane at high pressure. This breaks down the large fat molecules into much smaller ones, meaning they can no longer join together and form a layer of cream at the top of the milk. The resulting milk is deliciously creamy, perfect for adding to your morning coffee or using in sauces as a slightly less fatty alternative to full cream.
Browse our full range of sustainably sourced dairy products today
The Little Big Dairy was born from a long line of dairy farmers back in 2012. From our home on the banks of the Macquarie River, we supply high-quality and ethically sourced dairy products – everything from milk, through cream, to grass fed butter – to cafés and retailers across Australia.
Each of the products in our award-winning range can be traced back to one of the precious cows in our 800-strong herd of purebred Holsteins. We’re involved through every link in the supply chain, working hard to bring you Australia’s best-tasting single-source dairy products.
We also offer a doorstep delivery service so you can access our sustainably sourced milk without even needing to leave the house. Just head to our Doorstep Deliveries page for more information.
