Buffalo Milk · Science
Why Is Buffalo Milk White and Cow Milk Yellowish?
Buffalo milk is bright white because buffalo convert almost all of the yellow pigment beta-carotene from their feed into vitamin A, which is colourless. Cows pass some beta-carotene straight into their milk fat, giving cow milk, butter and ghee a creamy-yellow tint. White does not mean less nutritious: USDA lists about 53 µg of vitamin A per 100 g of buffalo milk versus 46 µg in cow milk.
Quick take
- Beta-carotene is yellow; vitamin A is colourless.
- Buffalo convert it; cows pass some into milk.
- Buffalo milk still has more vitamin A (53 vs 46 µg).
- Same reason buffalo ghee is white.
Pour buffalo and cow milk side by side and the difference is obvious. It comes down to one pigment.
Our A2 buffalo bilona ghee sets white for the same reason.
The beta-carotene explanation
Green fodder and grass contain beta-carotene, the orange-yellow pigment in carrots. Animals use it to make vitamin A. Cows absorb part of the beta-carotene unchanged into their milk fat, so it carries a faint yellow colour. Buffalo convert it far more completely, leaving their milk fat white.
White but not poorer
| Per 100 g | Buffalo milk | Cow milk (whole) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin A (RAE) | 53 µg | 46 µg |
| Fat | 6.9 g | 3.3 g |
Vitamin A is fat-soluble, so richer milk fat carries more of it. More: buffalo milk nutrition facts.
Why cow milk is yellower in some seasons
Cows on fresh green grass in and after the monsoon take in more beta-carotene, so their milk, butter and ghee turn deeper yellow. Dry-fodder seasons give paler milk. This is also why grass-fed ghee is golden.
Can colour tell you if milk is pure?
No. Very white “cow milk” may be buffalo or mixed; colour can also come from additives in rare cases. Fat and SNF on the pack, or a lab test, tell you more (fat and SNF).
The ghee connection
The same chemistry makes buffalo ghee white and cow ghee golden (why buffalo ghee is white), and any ghee turns paler as it sets (why ghee turns white). Side by side: buffalo milk vs cow milk.
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
Why is buffalo milk whiter than cow milk?
Buffalo convert yellow beta-carotene into colourless vitamin A, while cows pass some beta-carotene into their milk.
Does white buffalo milk have less vitamin A?
No. USDA lists about 53 micrograms per 100 g, slightly more than cow milk's 46.
Why is cow milk yellowish?
Beta-carotene from green fodder passes into cow milk fat.
Is buffalo ghee white for the same reason?
Yes, it is the same beta-carotene chemistry.
White milk, white ghee
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