I’m sharing this goat milk latte recipe specifically for anyone who: has goat milk, wants to make a latte, but doesn’t really like the taste of goat milk!
Where Did I Get Goat Milk?
For the past year or so, I’ve been milking my neighbors’ goats when they’re out of town! I was incredibly excited about this because ever since getting chickens, I’ve wanted goats of my own. I’ve really enjoyed the experience and it was especially exciting when the does had their babies during my last goat-sitting session in the spring. It was stressful, but also magical, to arrive for morning milking to newly born kids! You know how much fun I had hatching chicks with my broody hen, so this was definitely my kinda thing…
Unfortunately I hurt my hand last fall and it’s been slow to heal, requiring me to retire prematurely from moonlighting as an amateur goat milker. I’m sad about it, because I made some neat things with the goat milk (like goat milk soap) and actually got really attached to some of the goats (no surprise there, I’m not cut out for farm life). While I was getting a steady supply of fresh goat milk (liters a day!), I did a lot of experimenting with recipes. My Mom often came to help me with not only the milking but also the consuming of milk. It was she who came up with this delicious goat milk latte recipe, after I complained that I really didn’t love the taste of goat milk in coffee.
Goat Milk Latte Ingredients:
(Makes two 12 oz. cups of coffee)
- 2 Cups Goat milk
- 1 Cup Strong Coffee (we used instant)
- 4 tbsp Maple Syrup
- 1/8 tsp Cardamom
Notes on supplies: a small sauce pan with spout worked so perfectly for this and a little handheld frother is a great investment for so many kinds of drinks (like this London Fog latte recipe from years ago).
Gold Milk Latte Recipe:
This goat milk latte recipe is delicious and benefits from the frothy nature and extra creamy texture of goat milk but does NOT have a “goaty” taste. The magic of this latte with goat milk is the combo of strong coffee, maple syrup and cardamom. We tried with honey, but it wasn’t strong enough and the latte tasted “goaty”. We tried cinnamon, but we had to add a lot. Just a little cardamom and probably more maple syrup than one should consume daily and this latte is delightfully flavorful and sweet and creamy. So make it just like this!! No substitutions…
- Make 1 cup of strong coffee, as you normally would (instant in my house, these days).
- Add two tablespoons of maple syrup to each cup.
- Divide the cup of coffee between the two mugs.
- Warm the goat milk in a sauce pan on the stove, on medium heat.
- When the milk starts to form a skin, remove it from the heat immediately.
- Once warmed, stir the cardamom into the milk.
- Remove the goat milk from the hot element.
- Froth the milk, while it’s still inside the pot.
- Pour the goat milk into the mugs.
- Top the foam with extra cardamom, or cinnamon, if desired.
Can Goat Milk Be Frothed?
YES! Goat milk can be frothed – very easily, in fact! Goat milk is typically creamier and thicker than cow milk, so it has superior emulsifying and foaming properties. You don’t even need fancy equipment or a posh cappuccino machine to successfully froth goat milk. I bought a little hand frother ages ago and, while it works great for any beverage, I noticed the goat milk got especially foamy with minimal frothing.
Is Goat Milk Good for Lattes?
YES! Goat milk is good for lattes because the milk froths up really easily and makes a nice foam. While the taste of goat milk can be strong, with a little maple syrup and spice, a goat milk latte doesn’t have to have that “goaty” taste that often turns people away from adding goat milk to coffee and lattes. If you don’t mind the taste, you can of course skip the sweetener and cardamom from my recipe and just enjoy it!
What Does Goat Milk Taste Like?
It is with these caveats that I discuss the taste of goat milk, for anyone who has never tried it. The flavor of goat milk can vary depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to: the breed of the goat, what the goat is fed, and even the milk handling processes. To me, goat milk tastes somewhat sweet but also a bit like hay. These goats are fed a sweet-smelling grain and hay and, upon snuggling them, I’ve noticed they themselves smell kind of sweet as well – like their food. I am on the fence about the taste, to be honest, but Hubby strongly dislikes it. My Mom quite likes it, so I think a person really just needs to try it to discover for themselves!
What Does Goat Milk Taste Like in Coffee?
If you’re wondering, “what does goat milk taste like in coffee?” or seriously questioning, “does goat milk go well with coffee?” I’ll tell you honestly that while goat milk does froth up beautifully and create an amazing texture in coffee, the taste of goat milk can overpower even a strong coffee. Making this goat milk without any spice, I could taste the goat milk pretty distinctly. So if you’re wondering, “what does goat milk taste like in coffee?” – goat milk, it tastes like goat milk!! But if you like the taste, goat milk for coffee is great. But goaty.
Goat Milk Latte Benefits:
Goat milk is considered to have quite a few health benefits, which would extend to goat milk latte benefits. This article offers a really detailed and thorough breakdown of the positive properties of goat milk. But here’s a shortlist of some of the many reasons to love goat milk:
- Easier to digest
- More protein per serving than cow or plant milks (dependent on what a goat is fed)
- Goat milk proteins can help improve immune system function
- Less allergenic than cow milk, so may not trigger a reaction for folks with milk allergies***
- Contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and vitamin A
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits
***If you’ve read that goat milk is lactose free, it’s isn’t! Compared to cow’s milk, goat’s milk is lower in lactose, but it does still contain it. Because it has less lactose, those with milk lactose intolerance may be able to consume goat milk or goat milk products. Proceed with caution…
I already knew some of this, but researching it for you I’m disappointed I won’t have a steady supply of farm fresh goat milk anymore! Plus I’m going to miss my goat friends.