The supplier of water buffalo milk to a Vancouver gelato maker says when they first went into business together, it was mostly about the taste.

Later on, Brad Bennik said, it also became about the health benefits.

Bennik and business partner Matt Van Rookhuyzen, who operate in the Fraser Valley, are supplying the milk from their water buffalo dairy farm to Uno Gelato in Vancouver, which has just announced a new 害羞草研究所淏uffalo Lemon害羞草研究所� gelato flavour.

In gelato, buffalo milk makes for a 害羞草研究所渟mooth, creamy, rich consistency害羞草研究所� said Uno Gelato害羞草研究所檚 James Coleridge.

害羞草研究所淚t creates a wonderful texture for gelato and is a great compliment to our assortment of dairy and non-dairy offerings,害羞草研究所� said Coleridge, who was named International Gelato Master of the Year in 2014 by the International Fair of Artisan Gelato (MIG), won the Gelato World Tour North America the same year, and was the double gold winner at the 2012 Florence Italy Gelato Festival.

Water buffalo milk doesn害羞草研究所檛 contain a protein found in cow害羞草研究所檚 milk that many people are allergic to, and has lower cholesterol, higher calcium and antioxidant content.

In Italy, it害羞草研究所檚 used to make buffalo milk mozzarella, as a healthier alternative to cow害羞草研究所檚 milk, and is similar to goat害羞草研究所檚 and sheep害羞草研究所檚 milk.

Right now, the buffalo-based gelato is only available at the Vancouver location.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 pretty small volume,害羞草研究所� Bennik said.

Down the road, he thinks it could be sold at farmer害羞草研究所檚 markets.

Bennik, a Fort Langley resident, believes he is the first farmer in the Lower Mainland to raise a herd of water buffalo for their meat and milk.

He and Van Rookhuyzen own around 60 grass-fed, domesticated Asian water buffalos.

害羞草研究所淲e sell to restaurants who make their own cheeses and yogurts,害羞草研究所� Bennik said.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a good ride.害羞草研究所�

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According to the , benefits of buffalo milk include:

路 It is pure white, with a 害羞草研究所渧elvety smoothness and subtle sweetness害羞草研究所� and high levels of the natural antioxidant tocopherol.

路 It has 58 per cent more calcium than cow害羞草研究所檚 milk, 40 per cent more protein than cow害羞草研究所檚 milk, 43 per cent less cholesterol than cow害羞草研究所檚 milk and is high in CLA or conjugated linoleic acid.

路 Both milk and meat products from water buffalo are rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound that has been found to possess many benefits including reducing risks of cancer and diabetes and supporting bone and weight maintenance.