Buffalo Milk · Compare
Buffalo Milk vs Goat Milk: Nutrition, Digestion & Uses
Buffalo milk is richer than goat milk: per 100 g it has about 97 kcal, 6.9 g fat, 3.75 g protein and 169 mg calcium, versus about 69 kcal, 4.1 g fat, 3.56 g protein and 134 mg calcium in goat milk (USDA). Goat milk is lighter and has slightly less lactose; neither is suitable as a main drink for babies under one. Buffalo milk is far better for ghee, paneer and khoa.
Quick take
- Buffalo: 97 kcal, 6.9 g fat, 169 mg calcium per 100 g.
- Goat: 69 kcal, 4.1 g fat, 134 mg calcium.
- Goat milk is lighter; buffalo milk richer.
- Neither replaces breast milk or formula before age one.
Goat milk has a reputation as the “easy” milk; buffalo milk as the “strong” one. The numbers explain both.
We make A2 buffalo bilona ghee; figures below are USDA’s.
Buffalo vs goat vs cow milk
| Per 100 g | Buffalo | Goat | Cow (whole) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 97 kcal | 69 kcal | 61 kcal |
| Fat | 6.9 g | 4.1 g | 3.3 g |
| Protein | 3.75 g | 3.56 g | 3.15 g |
| Carbohydrate | 5.2 g | 4.5 g | 4.8 g |
| Calcium | 169 mg | 134 mg | 113 mg |
| Potassium | 178 mg | 204 mg | 132 mg |
| Cholesterol | 19 mg | 11 mg | 10 mg |
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 53 µg | 57 µg | 46 µg |
Digestion
Goat milk has less fat than buffalo milk, so many people find it lighter. Its carbohydrate is slightly lower too, but it still contains lactose, so it does not solve lactose intolerance (lactose, buffalo milk digestion).
Taste and uses
- Buffalo: creamy, neutral; best for chai, curd, paneer, khoa and ghee.
- Goat: tangy, distinctive; does not form compact paneer easily, as dairy texts note.
Babies
Goat milk is sometimes given to infants; paediatric guidance is that no cow or other non-human milk should be the main drink before about 12 months (buffalo milk for kids).
Which to choose?
Buffalo for energy, calcium and dairy-making; goat if you prefer a lighter milk and like its taste; cow for a middle path (buffalo milk vs cow milk). Ghee from each: types of ghee.
Sources & references
- USDA FoodData Central — Milk, Indian buffalo, fluid (SR Legacy 171280)
- USDA FoodData Central — Milk, goat, fluid (SR Legacy 171278)
- USDA FoodData Central — Milk, whole, 3.25% milkfat (SR Legacy 172217)
- e-PG Pathshala (INFLIBNET) — Technology of Paneer
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) — Why formula instead of cow’s milk?
Frequently asked questions
Is buffalo milk better than goat milk?
Buffalo milk is richer in calories, fat, protein and calcium; goat milk is lighter. Better depends on your needs.
Is goat milk easier to digest than buffalo milk?
Many people find it lighter because it has less fat, but it still contains lactose.
Which has more calcium, buffalo or goat milk?
Buffalo milk: about 169 mg versus 134 mg per 100 g.
Can babies drink goat milk?
Not as a main drink before about 12 months, per paediatric guidance.
Buffalo milk's best use: ghee
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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