Camelicious will soon be available at selected Asda stores, but at £2.85 for 235ml it does not come cheap
First it was soya, then almond and coconut milk were hailed as the trendy, healthy alternative to that from cows.
But, when it comes to the white stuff, this year’s clean-eating craze is from a rather more unusual animal.
After reality TV star Kim Kardashian was pictured with a glass of camel milk on social media, the drink has soared in popularity.
And yesterday Asda announced it had started selling it in selected British stores.
Called Camelicious, the long life milk brand is owned by the ruler of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Although camel milk has been consumed in the Middle East for centuries – it has been drunk by Bedouin and nomad herders for generations – this is the first time the milk has been sold in a mainstream UK supermarket.
It is being shipped into 144 Asda stores across the UK, but at £2.85 for 235ml – that’s less than half a pint – it is much more expensive than the standard variety.
Lactose-free and with half the fat of cow’s milk, it is being billed as another healthier alternative to cow’s milk. Considered the closest milk to breast milk, it’s nutritious properties are well known and is widely used to feed malnourished children in other countries.
It has less fat and is lower in cholesterol than cows or goats milk. It is also higher in Vitamin C and iron.
Unlike cow’s milk, there are also no known allergies to camel milk.
Although its so-called health benefits have not been medically proven, camel milk also contains insulin and recent studies have suggested it can help reduce the amount of medication needed by patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Other anecdotal studies have credited it with helping those suffering with autism and Crohn’s disease.
Reality TV star Kim Kardashian was pictured with a glass of camel milk on social media, above, prompting the drink to soar in popularity
A spokesman for Asda said: ‘We always aim to make sure our range is a diverse as possible and camel milk is something a number of customers have been asking to see on shelf.
‘We know Arabic nomadic groups have been drinking it for centuries, and we’re excited that our customers can now enjoy the latest food trend – we think it’s set to make a big splash.’
The milk is produced by more than 2,000 of the sheik’s camels in Dubai and is reportedly slightly saltier tasting than cow’s milk.
Camelicous say they can also make butter, cheese and ice cream from it.