The supplier of water buffalo milk to a Vancouver gelato maker says when they first went into business together, it was mostly about the taste.

Later on, Brad Bennik said, it also became about the health benefits.

Bennik and business partner Matt Van Rookhuyzen, who operate in the Fraser Valley, are supplying the milk from their water buffalo dairy farm to Uno Gelato in Vancouver, which has just announced a new 香蕉视频直播淏uffalo Lemon香蕉视频直播� gelato flavour.

In gelato, buffalo milk makes for a 香蕉视频直播渟mooth, creamy, rich consistency香蕉视频直播� said Uno Gelato香蕉视频直播檚 James Coleridge.

香蕉视频直播淚t creates a wonderful texture for gelato and is a great compliment to our assortment of dairy and non-dairy offerings,香蕉视频直播� said Coleridge, who was named International Gelato Master of the Year in 2014 by the International Fair of Artisan Gelato (MIG), won the Gelato World Tour North America the same year, and was the double gold winner at the 2012 Florence Italy Gelato Festival.

Water buffalo milk doesn香蕉视频直播檛 contain a protein found in cow香蕉视频直播檚 milk that many people are allergic to, and has lower cholesterol, higher calcium and antioxidant content.

In Italy, it香蕉视频直播檚 used to make buffalo milk mozzarella, as a healthier alternative to cow香蕉视频直播檚 milk, and is similar to goat香蕉视频直播檚 and sheep香蕉视频直播檚 milk.

Right now, the buffalo-based gelato is only available at the Vancouver location.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 pretty small volume,香蕉视频直播� Bennik said.

Down the road, he thinks it could be sold at farmer香蕉视频直播檚 markets.

Bennik, a Fort Langley resident, believes he is the first farmer in the Lower Mainland to raise a herd of water buffalo for their meat and milk.

He and Van Rookhuyzen own around 60 grass-fed, domesticated Asian water buffalos.

香蕉视频直播淲e sell to restaurants who make their own cheeses and yogurts,香蕉视频直播� Bennik said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been a good ride.香蕉视频直播�

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According to the , benefits of buffalo milk include:

路 It is pure white, with a 香蕉视频直播渧elvety smoothness and subtle sweetness香蕉视频直播� and high levels of the natural antioxidant tocopherol.

路 It has 58 per cent more calcium than cow香蕉视频直播檚 milk, 40 per cent more protein than cow香蕉视频直播檚 milk, 43 per cent less cholesterol than cow香蕉视频直播檚 milk and is high in CLA or conjugated linoleic acid.

路 Both milk and meat products from water buffalo are rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound that has been found to possess many benefits including reducing risks of cancer and diabetes and supporting bone and weight maintenance.