Camel milk ice-cream to hit markets soon

Al Ain Dairy will introduce camel milk ice cream in the UAE market. Camalait, the camel milk brand from Al Ain Dairy, which already boasts several products, has been well received in the market, says a top official of the company.
 
The company had in 2006 launched the ice cream but had to stop production soon after due to technical problems.

Kingston Fernandez, Head of Sales, Al Ain Dairy, said: “Our camel milk products  have been doing extremely well in the market. Of late, we have several non-Emirati customers, too. Camel milk products are available in supermarkets and even groceries. In our next innovative product - camel milk ice cream, conceived  and developed by the Research and Development wing of Al Ain Dairy - we will use pure camel milk sourced from our own camels. We have about 2,000 camels in our  farm. We will add a few hundred more best quality camels to our camel farm.”

Speaking to 'Emirates 24|7' at the Al Ain Dairy pavalion, Gulfood Expo, Kingston  said the product will reach the UAE market soon and later will be introduced in  other GCC countries. "The fat content in camel milk is half that in cow's milk,”  he added.

"Camalait camel milk is now consumed by more Europeans than Arabs as the nutritious milk is considered good for diabetes and those suffering from  cholesterol. Though priced a little higher - Dh4.5 per half litre, Dh9 for one litre and Dh2.5 per 250 ml - camel milk has been doing well” he said. 

About 100 ml of camel milk contains 140mg calcium, 2.5 per cent protein, 4.2gm of  carbohydrates, 45kcl energy.

“We will also be adding various flavours to the range to make it more tasty.  Natural camel milk has a slightly salty-bitter taste, which is altered with  special flavours. It will have a shelf-life of six months," he added.

Al Ain Dairy produces many dairy products from its own breed of herds, currently  numbering about 6,000. Even though camel milk is available from camel owners in Dubai and Al Ain, the  company will be selecting its own breed of good quality camels from around the  world.

Al Ain Dairy will also expand its production capacity by 30 to 40 per cent within  two years and has recently introduced a rose-flavoured milk, which has been well  received. "Rose has many beauty and health benefits. We are always looking for  innovating products,” Kingston said.

Camel milk has been a staple diet of the Bedouin community throughout the Middle  East for centuries. It contains several minerals and vitamins and is believed to  boost immunity.

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