Buffalo Milk · Fat & SNF
Buffalo Milk Fat Percentage & SNF: Why It’s So Thick
Buffalo milk usually contains about 6–8% fat; USDA’s reference figure is 6.9%, and the Murrah breed averages about 7%. Its total solids are about 16.6%, leaving roughly 9–10% solids-not-fat (SNF) such as protein, lactose and minerals. Whole cow milk is about 3.3% fat and 11.9% total solids. That extra fat and solid matter is why buffalo milk is thick and creamy.
Quick take
- Fat: ~6–8% (USDA 6.9%; Murrah ~7%).
- Total solids: ~16.6% vs ~11.9% in cow milk.
- SNF = protein + lactose + minerals, roughly 9–10%.
- Dairies pay farmers on fat and SNF, so they matter.
Fat and SNF are the two numbers that decide the price farmers get for milk and the richness you taste. Here is what they mean for buffalo milk.
High-fat Murrah milk is why our A2 buffalo bilona ghee needs fewer litres per kilo than cow ghee.
Typical buffalo milk fat
USDA’s reference for Indian buffalo milk is 6.89 g fat per 100 g. Breed guides put Murrah at about 7%, with breeds such as Surti and Bhadawari often higher (buffalo breeds compared). Fat also rises late in lactation and in winter, and with fibre-rich feed.
What SNF means
Milk is water plus solids. Solids split into fat and solids-not-fat: protein, lactose and minerals. Buffalo milk is about 83.4% water, so roughly 16.6% solids; subtract about 6.9% fat and SNF is near 9.7%. Cow milk is about 88.1% water, 11.9% solids, 3.3% fat and about 8.6% SNF.
| Per 100 g | Buffalo | Cow (whole) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 6.9% | 3.3% |
| Protein | 3.75% | 3.15% |
| Carbohydrate | 5.2% | 4.8% |
| Total solids | ~16.6% | ~11.9% |
| SNF (approx.) | ~9.7% | ~8.6% |
Why buffalo milk is thick
Nearly 40% more solids and twice the fat make the milk more viscous and opaque. It is also why buffalo milk forms a thick layer of malai on boiling and sets into firm curd (buffalo milk curd).
Fat and SNF on a milk pack
Packaged milk in India is sold by declared fat and SNF. Full-cream or buffalo milk packs often declare around 6% fat and 9% SNF; toned and double-toned milk have less fat. If the pack says buffalo milk but declares cow-like fat, it has been standardised. Nutrition per glass: buffalo milk nutrition facts.
What fat percentage means for ghee
Ghee is the fat. At 7% fat, about 14 kg of buffalo milk holds 1 kg of fat; at 4%, cow milk needs about 25 kg. Real yields are lower, especially by bilona (how much milk makes 1 kg ghee, which milk is best for ghee).
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
What is the fat percentage of buffalo milk?
About 6 to 8%. USDA's reference value is 6.9%, and Murrah buffalo average about 7%.
What is SNF in buffalo milk?
Solids-not-fat: protein, lactose and minerals, roughly 9 to 10% in buffalo milk.
Why is buffalo milk thicker than cow milk?
It has about 16.6% total solids and twice the fat of whole cow milk.
Is buffalo milk 6% fat?
Many dairy packs standardise buffalo or full-cream milk to about 6% fat; fresh Murrah milk is often around 7%.
7% fat milk, slow-churned
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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