How to Make Goat Milk Products
Goat's milk is a vitamin-rich substance that delivers calcium to your body and skin. It is a more easily digestible fat, according to the American Dairy Goat Association, and has more protein than cow's milk. Those who find themselves unable to tolerate cow's milk products often can choose goat's milk cheeses and baked goods. Goat's milk is just as versatile as cow's milk and can be used in many applications from cheeses and fudge to lotions and creams. Because goat's milk contains caprylic acid, which reduces the alkalinity of the skin, it can help you maintain your natural skin pH and remove dead skin cells.
Things You'll Need
- Saucepan
- 1 tsp. citric acid powder
- 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- Rennet tablet (these can be purchased at cheese-making supply shops online or in feed stores)
- Cheesecloth or cheesecloth bag
- Colander
- Herbs and spices of your choice
- 1 lb. corn starch
- 1/4 cup lavender powder
- 7 to 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 2 drops chamomile essential oil
- 1/2 cup chamomile powder
- 1/4 cup calendula petal powder
- Muslin drawstring bag
- 12 oz. lard
- 1 1/2 lb. coconut oil
- 1 1/2 lb. avocado oil
- 10 oz. lye
- 1 tbsp. dill weed, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. anise essential oil
- 3 tbsp. fennel essential oil
- 1 1/2 tsp. grapefruit seed extract
- Prepared molds (these can be purchased at a craft store or made out of loaf pans or baking sheets)
Instructions
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Goat's Milk Ricotta Cheese
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1
Place 2 qt. of fresh goat's milk (cool or room temperature) into a saucepan. Dissolve 1 tsp. citric acid powder in 1/4 cup cool water and stir into milk for about 20 seconds. Add 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar to the milk and stir.
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2
Heat milk to 88 degrees F, stirring occasionally. Stir 1/2 of a junket rennet tablet, dissolved in 1/4 cup cool water into milk, then shut off heat. Cover and let milk sit for one hour.
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3
Drain curds in cheesecloth-lined colander or cheesecloth bag. Gather corners, tie together (hair ties work well for this) and hang bag until it stops dripping. Add herbs/spices to taste.
Herbal Milk Bath Recipe
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4
Combine 1/4 cup of lavender powder with seven to 10 drops of lavender oil.
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5
Add 2 drops of chamomile oil to 1/2 cup of chamomile powder. Combine with 3 cups of goat's milk powder, 1 lb. of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of calendula petal powder and mix well.
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6
Use 1 tbsp. for a baby-size tub; increase amount for bigger bathtubs and older children or adults.
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7
Place mixture in a muslin drawstring bag or tie up in cheesecloth and add to bath water.
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8
This mixture helps cleanse skin gently, soften skin and makes a great gift when packaged in small bags.
Goat's Milk Soap
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9
Melt 12 oz. of lard and 1 1/2 lb. of coconut oil in a saucepan. Set aside.
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10
Add 1 1/2 lb. of avocado oil to melted lard/coconut oil. Cool the oils to 95 degrees F. Warm 10 oz. of goat's milk to 95 degrees F.
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11
Combine 10 oz. lye with 11 oz. water heated to 95 degree F. Add the goat's milk to the lye water and stir slightly. Then add milk/lye mixture to oils and stir with a handheld blender.
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12
Quickly add 1 tbsp. of dill weed, 1 tbsp. of anise essential oil, 3 tbsp. of fennel essential oil and 1 1/2 tsp. of grapefruit seed extract.
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13
Mix slighly with hand blender. Pour into prepared molds.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Goat's milk is wonderful for making many things. Use it as a replacement in baking recipes or for making other crafts such as candles or other types of soaps.
