On a recent visit to the Elmwood Bidwell Farmers Market I encountered an attractive stand offering fresh lemonade and adorable glass bottles of raw milk yogurt. Good packaging always catches my eye, and this product certainly did that, nestled amongst glistening ice cubes in bright blue and yellow bowls. Standing beside the bowls, covered in condensation, a large, white ceramic jug designed to dispense cold lemonade was equally tempting. Often looks can be deceiving and I wondered if the product would deliver. I happily took single serving-sized bottles of both plain and maple yogurt home with me to find out.
White Cow Dairy is based in East Otto, NY and works in conjunction with other small, local farmers (Native Offerings, Helen's Hens, etc.) to offer their community fresh raw honey, maple syrup, herbs, fruits and vegetables as well as eggs and dairy derived from grass fed chickens and cows.
The yogurt was thick and creamy to the point of being luxurious. The plain version was bright and tangy, an ideal addition to a good bowl of granola or a juicy, ripe berry. Honestly, I expected to dislike the maple flavored jar, as I'm not often one for maple outside of donuts and the classic pancakes and syrup scenario, but it was delicious. The maple wasn't easily discernible, I think that it's inclusion was intended to simply impart subtle sweetness. Each 5.5 oz jar is priced at only $2, and they're well worth it.
If you don't believe that this product is worthy of a special trip to the Elmwood Bidwell Farmers Market this upcoming Saturday, you don't have to take my word for it, take Murray's. Arguably the most well-respected artisan cheese shop in the United States, Murray's Cheese of NYC is currently the only retailer lucky enough to be carrying White Cow Dairy's yogurt and custards. (For cheese-heads, Murray's has a great blog you should check out.)
White Cow's custards and yogurts contain a high content of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, as well as being packed with calcium and vitamin A. There are other nutritional benefits derived from consuming unpasteurized dairy products as evidenced in this recent piece that appeared in the NY Daily News.
I am a big fan of unpasteurized cheeses and their ilk, but our government is not. That makes it hard for us to get our hands on really good, gooey, delicious, rank and stinky cheese as well as other raw dairy goods. White Cow and the Elmwood Bidwell Farmers Market have brought a small sampling to my neighborhood, and I couldn't be more pleased.
White Cow Dairy
PO Box 156
East Otto, 14729
716.257.3701
Elmwood Bidwell Farmers Market
Bidwell Parkway and Elmwood Avenue, 14222
Editor's Note: Please check out Buffalo Rising's new produce guide. It is located near the top of the YUM! page and features a photo of farm fresh asparagus. This guide offers a comprehensive list of most of the farmer's markets in WNY as well as a guide illustrating what local crops are in season for each month of our glorious summer. Take a peak at what is at its freshest now.