What is the difference between cow, sheep and goat milks?

Although they may taste different, due mainly to variation in their diet, the nutritional composition of cow, sheep and goats’ milk is largely similar. The water content in sheep milk is lower at about 81 % compared to cow and goat milk, which are both around 87 %.

This means that per volume, sheep milk is slightly higher in fat, protein and some vitamins and minerals. However, the variability within each species can be as much as between them. Taste preference and availability make cow’s milk the top choice in Ireland.

Extra Information:

Goat’s milk tends to be whiter than cow’s milk due to the fact that goats are more efficient at converting the carotene from foliage into vitamin A. Carotene is the pigment from grass that makes butter yellow.