Skip to main content

I tried camel milk in my coffee and it tasted way different than I thought

Yes, camel milk is real

Camel milk cappuccino
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

Camel milk is a staple in the diets of many Middle Eastern residents, but as an American visiting the UAE, it took me by surprise. For most Americans, camels are an animal we’ve seen in books, movies, and TV shows, perhaps, but not one that we think about daily. However, it only took me a few hours of traveling around Dubai to determine I needed to see what camel milk was all about. I’ve learned camels are important around UAE, so much so that there is even a camel hospital. I tried camel milk in a few forms throughout my visit, and it tasted much different than I thought.

How to enjoy camel milk

Camel milk sign
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

As a coffee addict, I always look closely for a coffee shop no matter where I go. After visiting the iconic Dubai Frame, this “Camelicious” stand immediately caught my attention. I could see the large picture of a Camel Milk Latte from afar. Now, I’m unsure how to describe exactly what I “thought” camel milk would taste like. On one hand, my taste buds expected the familiar taste of milk made with cow’s milk. On the other hand, I hoped to try something that tasted wildly different from what I used to.

Recommended Videos

Camelicious is just one of the many places to order camel milk around Dubai. Through a few conversations with locals, I learned that camel milk is enjoyed independently, just like Americans enjoy a glass of cow’s milk. Many also want it slightly warmed, which is why it is a great dairy option for coffee.

Once you notice camel milk, you can’t unnotice it — you’ll see it everywhere. From Dubai chocolate made with camel milk to camel milk ice cream, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy this interesting milk variation. My only regret is that I didn’t have time to try more food and beverages made with camel milk.

What camel milk tastes like

Camel milk ice cream
Emily Caldwell / The Manual

I ordered a camel milk cappuccino and a strawberry camel milk ice cream to give camel milk a fair try. Immediately as I sipped the cappuccino, I could tell it was different than the cappuccinos I order at home. Camel milk has a unique creaminess that almost has a slightly salty aftertaste. Although I enjoyed it, it seemed almost like an “acquired taste.” I would describe the taste as mild and easy to consume, but my cappuccino was missing that slight sweetness I’m accustomed to. Perhaps adding some flavored syrups or sweeteners could have enhanced the camel milk cappuccino. I’d imagine those who grow up drinking camel milk are used to its slightly salty, slightly tangy taste.

Compared to cow’s milk, which has a slightly sweet taste, camel milk contains less sugar. While the difference is noticeable, it’s not dramatic. If you weren’t paying much attention, it’s possible you might not even notice your camel milk cappuccino tastes different than one made with cow’s milk. Unlike my experience of trying a cappuccino, strawberry camel milk ice cream had a much more noticeable flavor difference. It was ultra creamy and tasted unlike any strawberry ice cream I’ve ever had.

Emily Caldwell
Emily is a freelance journalist with a focus on food, travel, health, and fitness content. She loves to travel to new…
Climate, prices, and fragility: The triple threat facing global coffee
Exploring the state of the coffee industry
illycaffè

Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffè, is a third-generation coffee entrepreneur dedicated to not only advancing the quality and culture of coffee but also addressing the very real threats the industry faces — from climate instability to pricing volatility and supply chain fragility.

In a time of global uncertainty for coffee, Illy shares his thoughts on the future of coffee, from climate instability to pricing volatility. The global coffee brand, illycaffè, was founded in Trieste in 1933 by Illy's grandfather, Francesco, with the mission of offering the best coffee to the world. A third-generation entrepreneur, he was CEO of the company for 22 years.
State of the coffee industry

Read more
How long does cold brew last? Signs it’s time to toss your coffee
How to know when to toss rancid cold brew coffee
Cold brew in a glass mug

Cold brew coffee's smooth and mellow taste sets it apart from other cold coffee drinks. Cold brew coffee lovers can brew this delicious cold coffee at home using a simple cold brew coffee maker. Yet, once the batch of cold brew is made, it won't last forever. If you've ever tasted a sip of sour or rancid cold brew, you'll know its taste is a long way away from what it tastes like when it's fresh. I've had this experience before, and it's made me wonder, "How long does cold brew last?" Here's what you need to know about how long cold brew lasts in the fridge and how to store it properly for optimal freshness.

How long does cold brew last?

Read more
Study finds coffee ritual, not caffeine, fuels “the boost”
How decaf coffee can mimic caffeine's effects
person drinking coffee

Is the caffeine in your coffee actually what gives you energy or that "boost" you look for in the morning? While most of us would say yes, a newly published study suggests otherwise. A new study published on Heliyon found that the so-called "energizing" effects of your morning cup of joe could have more to do with ritual than the caffeine itself.

The double-blind, placebo-controlled study followed the habits of coffee drinkers, where researchers found that decaf coffee drinkers exhibited many of the same cognitive and psychological responses as those who drank regular coffee. The study's findings suggest that the actual ritual of making and drinking a cup of coffee every morning may have a greater impact on us than the caffeine it contains. As a regular coffee drinker and caffeine addict, these findings are especially intriguing.

Read more