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 B次元官网网址淏uffalo LemonB次元官网网址� gelato flavour.

In gelato, buffalo milk makes for a B次元官网网址渟mooth, creamy, rich consistencyB次元官网网址� said Uno GelatoB次元官网网址檚 James Coleridge.

B次元官网网址淚t creates a wonderful texture for gelato and is a great compliment to our assortment of dairy and non-dairy offerings,B次元官网网址� 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 doesnB次元官网网址檛 contain a protein found in cowB次元官网网址檚 milk that many people are allergic to, and has lower cholesterol, higher calcium and antioxidant content.

In Italy, itB次元官网网址檚 used to make buffalo milk mozzarella, as a healthier alternative to cowB次元官网网址檚 milk, and is similar to goatB次元官网网址檚 and sheepB次元官网网址檚 milk.

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

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 pretty small volume,B次元官网网址� Bennik said.

Down the road, he thinks it could be sold at farmerB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淲e sell to restaurants who make their own cheeses and yogurts,B次元官网网址� Bennik said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a good ride.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE:

According to the , benefits of buffalo milk include:

路 It is pure white, with a B次元官网网址渧elvety smoothness and subtle sweetnessB次元官网网址� and high levels of the natural antioxidant tocopherol.

路 It has 58 per cent more calcium than cowB次元官网网址檚 milk, 40 per cent more protein than cowB次元官网网址檚 milk, 43 per cent less cholesterol than cowB次元官网网址檚 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.