Canadians consuming more water buffalo as dairy & beef alternative

What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word ‘milk?’ Or ‘cheese?’ How about ‘steak?’ Originating on the Indian subcontinent, water buffalo have been domesticated for thousands of years in Asia and the Mediterranean Basin. Have you heard of buffalo mozzarella? Yup – it comes from water buffalo. The milk has 68 percent more calcium and 40 percent more protein than cow’s milk – and while its fat content is higher, it contains less cholesterol than conventional dairy from cows. Not surprising then, that some Canadian farmers are making the switch from raising cattle to raising water buffalo. Minna Rhee reports.