Do Guernsey or Jersey Cows Produce the Better Milk?
Channel Island cow's milk is universally accepted as being the best milk in the world, hence why so many countries now have large herds of both Guernsey and Jersey cows. The question that comes up gain and again though, is which milk is better, Guernsey milk or Jersey milk?
Coming from Guernsey myself many might accuse me of being bias towards Guernsey milk, but that is not true, and I intend to look at all the information available in order to come up with an answer to the question of which cows produce the better milk overall.
Guernsey Cows
The Facts on Guernsey Milk
1) Guernsey milk contains 3 times as much omega 3 as other milks.
2) Beta Casein A2 - When tested in the UK Guernsey milk tested had more than 95% A2 which compares with 40% A2 in Jersey milk and 15% in 'ordinary milk'.
3) Beta Carotene - This is not digested by Guernsey cows so it passes into the milk and produces the wonderful golden colour. Beta Carotene is found in green vegetable matter i.e. grass and is thought to give protection against certain cancers. It is known that the consumption of vegetables is good for you. Therefore drinking Guernsey milk should provide the same health advantages.
4) Guernsey milk contains 12% more protein, 30% more cream, 33% more vitamin D, 25% more vitamin A and 15% more calcium than average milk. On average they produce milk of: 4.65% Butterfat and 3.55% Protein. The fat and protein content of Guernsey milk is higher than that of 'ordinary' milk, meaning it has a better balance then Jersey milk and is therefore 95% fat free.
Jersey Cows
The Facts on Jersey Milk
1) Jersey milk contains; 18% more protein, 20% more calcium and 25% more butterfat than average milk, (a butterfat level up to about 6.8%.)
2) Skim or low fat Jersey milk still has the taste of whole milk due to its higher solids—not-fat content.
3) Jersey milk has been shown to contain more Vitamins A and Vitamins B1 per litre than Holstein milk. In addition, Jersey milk has an extremely high concentration of B2 (riboflavin) .
4) Jersey milk provides the most nutrition per given unit of volume. If a person were consuming Holstein low fat milk, 9.64 ounces of milk would need to be consumed in order to receive the same amount of nutrition from consuming 8 ounces of Jersey milk.
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General Facts About Channel Islands Milk.
Friesian cows produce mostly A1 milk, Jerseys and Guernseys produce mainly A2 milk.
In Devil in the Milk, Craig Potton Publishing, Nelson, 2007, Professor Keith Woodford explains the differences between 'normal' milk and A2 milk.
Professor Woodford compares studies of heart disease in countries which consume A1 milk and countries which consume A2 milk and finds a strong correlation between consumption of A1 milk and heart disease.
He also finds a correlation between heart disease and type 1 diabetes. He suggests that A1 milk may be implicated in a range of other physical and mental problems.
If the different types of milk are taken into account, this could (rather than the red wine hypothesis) explain why both the French and the Masai, whilst having high dairy diets, have comparatively low levels of heart disease. In each case, those persons would appear to consume only A2 milk. The Finns, on the other hand, have high dairy diets but consume predominantly A1 milk - and have high levels of heart disease.
There have also been claims that the A2 milk could be beneficial to autistic children, but firm proof is so far lacking.
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Q. What breeds of dairy cattle typically produce the lowest percentage of A1 milk?
A. Ranking of breeds based on published research shows that the ranking is as shown below for the six most common dairy breeds from least to most A1 genetics (from least to most for potential BCM7 production with digestion)
Best 1. Guernsey
2. Brown Swiss
3. Ayrshire, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn (all equal)
Worst 4. Holstein
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Gold Top and Breakfast Milk are unique in that the milk comes exclusively from pedigree herds of Jersey & Guernsey cows, usually referred to by the dairy trade as "Channel Islands milk".
Channel Island milk is rich and creamy yet is still only 5% fat. It tastes delicious as a drink in its own right, and anything made with Channel Island milk also takes on this superiority.
The quality of the milk produced by these amazing, creatures is unsurpassed – it is rich, creamy and golden as well as naturally high in protein and calcium.
Approximate Nutrition Levels in Tesco Finest Channel Island Milk
Nutrition per 100ml
Energy kCal 80kCal
Energy KJ 335kJ
Protein 3.7g
Carbohydrate 4.7g
of which sugars 4.7g
Fat 5.2g
of which saturates 3.4g
Fibre 0.0g
Sodium 0.1g
A1 & A2 Results by Cattle Breed.
Additional Research Sources Used
So Which is the Best Milk?
Looking at all the evidence I have to honestly say I don't think there is an actual answer to the question. The problem is that we all look for different qualities in our milk, therefore what qualifies as making one milk better than another; is it the taste, the health factor, the versatility or something else?
I have spoken to people who have drunk both Guernsey and Jersey milk on many occasions, and I have to say the majority seemed to prefer the taste of Guernsey milk. Guernsey milk can boast the higher levels of A2, Omega 3 and Beta Casein and is said to have the better overall 'balance' of nutrients compared to Jersey milk.
Jersey milk on the other hand has an extremely high level of riboflavin, provides the most nutrition per unit of volume and their low fat milk still has the taste of whole milk.The fat globules are the largest of any dairy breed. Because of the large globules, the cream rises faster and churns far quicker than cream from other breeds.
I honestly can't call this one fairly as I don't actually feel there is a correct answer to the question I asked. If you asked me personally to judge purely on taste alone I would say I prefer the Guernsey milk, but to be fair a blind taste test conducted over at least 50 individuals would probably be the best way to get a general consensus of opinion.
As for the nutrient levels, well, it appears to be a case of 'swings and roundabouts', one milk may have more of one nutrient and less of another, whilst the same situation may be reversed on the next nutrient. Perhaps this is why so much milk in the UK now is sold as "Channel Island Milk", and is actually a blend of the milk produced by both Guernsey and Jersey cows, therefore producing a perfect all round balance.
Living on Guernsey we can only buy Guernsey milk (and I love it), but on the occasions I visit Jersey I love their milk too and have no problem with enjoying it in much the same way I enjoy the Guernsey milk. My advice would therefore be, if you live in a part of the world where you have a choice over buying either Guernsey or Jersey milk, choose either and you won't be disappointed, but as an experiment do try to buy one of each kind so that you can conduct your own personal taste test, and then decide for yourselves which milk you and your family prefer.
A Jersey Calf
A Guernsey Cow and her Calf
Comments
Hi Putz, I think Jersey's are by far the prettier cow of the two, (can't resist their huge 'Bambi' eyes). Still undecided overall on the milk, but prefer the taste of Guernsey milk.
Thanks for commenting :)
I used to farm Fresians. We kept a few Jerseys to bring the butterfat up and found (then) it was slightly richer than Guernsey milk... But I would not argue in the face of your erudition, as ever! Bob
Well the butterfat content is higher in Jersey's I agree, which might make it seem richer, but Guernsey milk is more balanced overall, (plus of course the A2 levels in Guernsey milk are huge). Flavourwise I am definitely in favour of the Guernsey milk though, and really would like to conduct that blind taste test somehow :)
I suppose there is the possibility both milks taste different here to other places based on the richness of the grass here. I know for many years they claimed it was too rich to keep sheep on the islands, yet about twenty years ago they started to and there are still a few around, although not very many.
Thanks for the comment Bob.
Great hub. I'm for the Jersey cow milk, but then that's what I'm used to. I think it's the butterfat--makes for VERY RICH milk.
Cheers Paradise, ahhh, but who can really judge until they taste BOTH types of milk? There is more than just butterfat content to richness of flavour :)
I don't drink a lot of milk unless it's been transformed to ice cream but here's a vote for the Jersey although Guernsey, the island, is way more enchanting than Jersey, the state. Why did I vote for Jersey? Because those cows in your photos seem to have more personality. Guess it's their soulful, sensitive-looking eyes.
Thanks drbj, well I agree on the "soul" thing, but hey, this is supposed to be about who gives the better milk!!! LOL
Glad you like Guernsey as an island better though ;)
Thanks drbj, well I agree on the "soul" thing, but hey, this is supposed to be about who gives the better milk!!! LOL
Glad you like Guernsey as an island better though ;)
I vote for Guernsey!...although I've only had real Guernsey ice cream (heavenly) but once. They sure don't have Guernsey cows in Georgia. Does anyone know if we can get the real thing in the states? I don't trust ice cream by mail order. Great hub mistyh!
Thanks Green Lotus, sorry not to have responded sooner, but like many hubbers I don't seem to be receiving all my notifications at the moment, so only found your comment when I went into "My Account" and clicked on "Comments".
Nice to know you enjoyed the Guernsey ice-cream so much, (it is divine), but if you ever get the chance try a glass of our milk, or a milk shake made with our full cream milk, that is heaven in a glass :)
hi,
great article.
just wondering if you could pass on the source for the statistics on the nutrition information for the jersey milk?
Hi Lenster, check out the links I have provided above in the "Additional Research Sources Used" section. It has been a long time since I wrote this, so without spending time re-checking where I found this info exactly (which would take time), I assume I included it in the "Additional Research sources Used Section". It should be easy to check out on the Net regardless, as that is how I found it doing my own research.
Thanks for commenting.
its werry smart
I guess I just a Jersey girl - even after all these years, but great information.
voted up and interesting
q
Fair enough quester.ltd, I would really love to hold an official blind taste testing though. It would be amazing to see the results :)
Hi, I have never ever had a glass of guernsey but in my heart of cow hearts I am voting for her anyway. I just love they way they look. I have a farm in Italy but no Guernseys to be found down here, any idea of exporters or dealers in Italy, southern europe? I will gladly be your spokesperson for Guernseys in Tuscany if you can help me find a pair!!
Hi farmerbz, thanks for your lovely kind words. They are lovely cows, and very gentle in nature. I am sorry I can't help you with any suppliers of Guernsey cows in Southern Europe though. I simply wouldn't know where to start looking. I would suggest that a Google search for 'Buy Guernsey Cows' might produce some results, or you could even contact the Agricultural and Farm Services in Guernsey and see if they can advise you of where you can buy a pair in Europe. Their telephone number is 0044 1481 234567 or fax just change the last digits to 235015.
I hope this helps and good luck in your quest for a pair of Guernsey Cows.
Why can't we just cross a Jersey with a Guernsey?
That way it's milk would give us the best of both worlds and we'd have cows almost as pretty and with eyes almost as big as the Jersey's roaming our fields.
I grew up drinking gallons of unpasteurized Jersey milk from my grandfathers farm and credit this as to why I have never had a broken bone and have always been in excellent health.
I have to agree with you though Mistyhorizon, Guernsey milk does taste the best but Jersey is a close second.
Later on my grandfather bought a few Friesians and I remember not being as fond of their milk.
If I'm not mistaken don't Friesians produce the most milk?
We could cross them outside of the island Tyler, but within the islands is a no no because of keeping the purity in the breed. Freisians may well produce the most milk (probably). Really pleased you agree Guernsey milk tastes the best :)
Thanks
I have a cross best of both breeds she produce awesome milk and alot of it ... Nice color and a lot of cream per gallon ....
Sounds like a great cross xlorrax. We can't do that in the Channel Islands because in order to keep the bloodline pure our cows cannot be returned to the island once they leave, and only Guernsey cows are allowed into the island of Guernsey (or Jersey cows in Jersey). Some cross breeding was done some years back between the French Charolais cows and Guernsey cows in order to improve the quality of the beef, but that was strictly controlled, and I am not sure if it still goes on today).
When we deided to get a cow we looked for a Jersey or a guernsey there were none pure breed but I am thrilled with at least haveing the cross. The quality and quanity of milk we get we are well satisfied with.
To be honest I think you got the best of both worlds by having the cross xlorrax. Plenty of delicious and creamy healthy milk for years to come :)
Does anyone know where I can buy Jersey or guernsey milk around the St.louis,Mo. area?
I am afraid I don't Ramsey, but maybe someone else will come forward with an answer for you. Good luck :)
Guernsey cows are my favourite. If I had the choice between which type of cow, it would be a guernsey. Not only because they mainly produce the A2 variant but also because of their calm personalities. Love the pictures. :-)
Thanks infonolan, I have the same opinion ;)
Putz Ballard 2 years ago
My daddy always liked Jerseys.