Fresh milk is a beverage that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Chug it ice cold alongside your merienda or down a warm mug before bed. Whatever your preference, you cannot deny milk is one healthy food you wouldn't mind drinking. It is as good for your body as much as it is delicious.
Fresh milk is readily available and there are a lot of options in the market. Don't worry! We have assembled a guide, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, to acquaint you with this grocery staple. But first, have a look at our top 10 recommended products that you can buy online.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
UHT, on the other hand, is a process of heating the milk to a super high temperature for a few seconds and then cooling it off. This gives it a longer shelf life. It is mostly used by commercial milk manufacturers since an unopened package can last for months unrefrigerated.
In case you were wondering about the different variations of milk, it all has to do with the amount of butterfat. This is what becomes cream later on. Whole milk or full cream has the highest content at 3.5%, low fat has 1-2%, and skim milk has less than 0.5% butterfat. How's that for a quick reference for your coffee orders?
Here are some key points to consider:
Nowadays, milk has expanded to include plant-based options to accommodate those with certain dietary requirements. In this article, we are going back to basics with dairy milk!
When you think of milk, cow’s milk is what first comes to mind. It is the go-to drink and is readily available even in small groceries. You’d be hard-pressed to find any store that doesn’t sell cow’s milk. It’s a given in any household.
It is true that milk, whether animal-derived or plant-based, contains nutrients such as protein and calcium. But cow's milk can completely provide the body's essential nutrients. Plant-based alternatives contain nutrients, but only a minimal amount. And even then, it may be fortified and not naturally occurring, unlike cow's milk.
In fact, even if you do consume plant milk, it may be insufficient to fulfill your body's needs. You can still have gaps in calcium and other nutrients. This could pose a problem, especially for children and the elderly.
Carabao is arguably more commonplace in the province than in the metro. You could find unbranded bottles in households that could easily come from their neighbor’s own carabao.
You’d be surprised, but its milk has a higher nutrient profile than that of cows in terms of calcium and protein. It is noted to be the complete food as it contains vitamins and minerals. It also contains less cholesterol, which makes it an underrated superfood.
Aside from being sold as a drink, carabao’s milk is also used in ice cream and pastillas to make them creamier. It is even poured on top of newly cooked rice. For those who are not familiar, carabao’s milk tastes just a tad creamier than cow’s milk although it has a bit of a gamey aftertaste or what you could describe as maango.
Milk is delicious enough on its own. But there are some days you just want something with a little more oomph. And there's no shame in that!
Flavored milk is a great way if you want to make your kids drink more milk or transition them into drinking good old, plain, fresh ones. It works as a treat for adults too! There are a lot of options available in the market from classic chocolate to new age ones like coffee, ube, and matcha. Take your pick based on your taste!
In terms of nutritional content, full-fat content is the way to go. However, if you are watching your weight or cholesterol levels, you could opt for lower fat content variations such as skim or low-fat milk.
It is going to taste more watery and less creamy, but it is a good alternate than skipping milk entirely if you’re a fan of it.
From ₱121
In terms of fresh milk, you can’t go wrong with Cowhead. Who else could remember sipping on those single-serve versions during recess? Its taste leans a little on the sweeter side but is not nakakaumay. Its aftertaste is akin to evaporated milk, an effect of their UHT treatment to ensure long shelf life.
Its taste is what makes you think milk should taste like. It is mild, creamy, with just the right hint of sweetness. Texture-wise, it is rather thin, but it only makes it more suitable for sipping. This makes it pleasant milk that can be drunk on its own or paired with food as it is gives just the right hint of oomph.
It is a great ingredient for cooking and baking as well if you want to add a little more linamnam. Make creamy scrambled eggs by adding a splash of milk or soften black coffee with just a few drops.
From ₱305.28
DVF dairy farm used to be a small, family-run business in Nueva Ecija that had blossomed into a dairy cooperative. They are even GMP certified, which means their products are produced to the finest of standards. The farm can deliver to Metro Manila as well as Pampanga and they even offer cash on delivery!
Their carabao’s milk is not subjected to UHT, so you must consume it within 1-2 days once it is opened. If you’re a novice to carabao’s milk, taste-wise it has a bit of a gamey aftertaste. It also has a thicker texture than cow’s milk and it is creamier. Do it like the locals and pour it over piping hot rice.
From ₱165
Moolk Creamery prides itself on its natural farm-fresh milk that USDA Organic Standard. Their milk is organic, which comes from free-roaming, grass-fed cows. It is free from antibiotics, hormones, and non-GMO. Their chocolate milk is a fan-favorite for its creamy taste you can’t get enough of.
It is made from pasteurized fresh milk added with premium chocolate. Its taste is noted to be rich in chocolate flavor followed by its signature creamy finish. Moolk has grass to glass approach given that they have their own farm, which enables them to deliver directly to the consumer.
From ₱240
Pinkie’s Farm delivers a wave of old school nostalgia with its glass bottles. This is because the milk fares better in glass than in plastic. It does not give off harmful chemicals and it makes them taste better, it is also earth-friendly too! Plastic tends to alter the taste, which explains why plastic stored beverages can taste off sometimes.
Full cream milk is one of their bestsellers. It has no added sugars, so you just taste the milk in all its creamy goodness. Pinkie's produces single-origin dairy using grass-fed cows. This means all their milk comes from their own farm to ensure quality. If you're a fan of flavored milk, they carry chocolate and coffee flavors as well.
From ₱140
Cow’s milk is known for its mild and creamy taste. It is very forgiving and does not pack as strong a punch as carabao’s milk. This particular whole milk is milder than our native carabao but offers a hint of gaminess at the end. This is perfect for those who prefer to savor each sip than down it in one go to really appreciate the taste.
Homegrown brand Hacienda Macalauan only pasteurizes the milk. This results in a stronger, creamier, and almost buttery taste that makes them distinct from others. What begun as a small-scale dairy farm branched out into the giant that they are today. They committed against using sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats.
From ₱180
Nestle’s milk does not taste too overpowering, nor does it taste flat. If there would be a world to describe their milk it would be crisp. It does not have any unnecessary bells and whistles; it’s straight to the point. It is ideal for those who don’t a lot of fuss with their milk when it comes to taste.
Some milk tends to fall on either side of the spectrum, but this one falls smack dab in the middle. This makes it great for drinking on its own, so you don’t get too tired of its taste. Its balanced taste makes it a great canvas for adding onto cereal or oatmeal as well as if you ever want to get creative with milk flavors.
From ₱235
Devondale uses free grazing cows to produce their milk. This means the cows are allowed to graze freely in the fields instead of being locked up. They also use no preservatives, just pure cow’s milk. Can’t get enough milk? What’s cool about them is that they sell their milk in 2-liter quantities.
This is a solid option if you find the 1-liter variety to be too bitin. Now everyone can enjoy chilled milk without having to open a new one. Their milk is rich but not cloyingly so. It is creamy but it doesn’t have a dense mouthfeel, so it’s not masebo. It is perfect for dunking cookies to round off their sweetness.
From ₱154.75
Love milk but not the dense calories? Then go for low fat. It’s a good compromise if you want to have your cake and eat it too. Holly’s produces farm fresh milk and their low fat is no exception. It only contains 1.9 – 2% fat, which is great if you are trying to watch your weight or cholesterol levels.
Their low-fat milk can only last for 5-8 days, so drink quickly! Remember to refrigerate it quickly after opening lest it spoils. They also offer other dairy products such as yogurt and sour cream. If you are a fan of cheeses, they offer quite the assortment of cheese including cottage, cream, and kesong puti.
From ₱189
New milk flavors come and go, but you can’t go wrong with classic strawberry. It is one of those flavors that never fail to taste good without being too overpowering. This strawberry milk serves as a nice little treat for merienda or as a nightcap if you want to end things on a sweeter note.
The secret lies in Arla’s milk, which comes from 100% natural fresh milk. It comes from free-range cows and it is packed with lots of vitamins and minerals. Flavored milk is a delicious way of making sure your children get their dose of nutrients from milk. Why not make creative snacks by using it to make your own smoothies?
From ₱198
No trip to Tagaytay is complete without bringing home a box of their famous tarts and a bottle of Mr. Moo’s. Now you can grab a bottle for yourself without going to Tagaytay by ordering online! Their dairy company offers fresh milk ranging from cow to carabao. They even have goat’s milk if you’re feeling adventurous.
Their carabao's milk has a rather velvety texture as if it has been infused with cream. This makes for a luscious drink best served cold to relish the taste. They even make flavored carabao's milk in melon, pandan, and vanilla. Mr. Moo’s even has ice cream made from carabao’s milk.
What better way to start the day than with a hearty breakfast. Complement fresh milk with spreads such as butter and cream cheese to go with hot pan de sal as well as your childhood de lata favorites to help you get ready for the day!
Author: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
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