REVEALED: The Winners of Australia's Dairy 'Oscars'
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The Dairy Industry Association of Australia Awards, dubbed the industry's "Oscars," have named an organic, skimmed milk the best-tasting milk in Australia.
The Dairy Industry Association of Australia hailed Barambah Organics' 0.1% fat-free skim milk as the country's best-tasting milk and overall dairy product, surpassing hundreds of brands and full-fat varieties.
A panel of experts tasted and rated over 1000 different cheeses, yoghurts, creams, butters, milks, and ice creams before crowning the organic low-fat milk as the crème de la crème of Australian dairy products.
There were 111 different categories, and there were a total of 1,032 products that were competing for the gold and silver medals.
Barambah's skim milk has been hailed as the best-tasting dairy product in the country. Credit: Food and Beverage Industry News.
According to Matt Stanton, CEO of Barambah Organics, receiving the award did not come as a surprise to him.
"When it comes to skimmed milk, Barambah Organics is officially la crème de la non-crème," he said. "Our customers already knew our milk is the best you can buy so it’s great the judges have agreed."
In addition, he claimed that the key to producing the best-tasting milk is having happy cows. Each and every drop of their milk comes from the company's three farms, which are located in the southern part of Queensland and the far northern part of New South Wales.
"Our cows are free to munch on lush, green grass all day which results in healthier, tastier milk, cheese and yoghurt that are free from pesticides and chemicals," he continued. "Studies show that happy cows produce more delicious milk, and this award proves the point."
The company, which includes yoghurt brand five:am and East Coast Sustainable Dairy, was voted Number One for taste in a total of six categories:
- Best tasting feta cheese
- Best tasting low fat, natural yoghurt
- Best tasting modified milk (non-fat)
- Best tasting coffee-flavoured full-fat milk
- Best tasting overall milk
- Best tasting flavoured milk
Australia has more organic agricultural land than any other country, with 23 million hectares. Credit: tap10/iStockphoto
According to studies, organic farming consumes 45% less energy, 20% less water, and emits 40% less carbon dioxide. Furthermore, organic cows are happier and produce milk with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.
Organic food demand has increased by 13 per cent in Australia over the last decade as consumers shift to healthier, more environmentally friendly produce.
In fact, it was reported that more than half a million Aussies have switched to purchasing organic food in just the past year alone.
Here is a list of the best dairy products crowned in the recent Dairy Industry Association of Australia Awards:
Best Dairy Overall Product: Barambah Organics' 0.1per cent fat skimmed milk
Best salted butter: Fonterra Bulk Butter Salted
Best unsalted butter: ACM Unsalted Butter
Best vintage cheddar Cheese: Bega Cheddar
Best halloumi: Symons Organic Dairy Organic Haloumi
Best fetta cheese: Barambah Organics Feta
Best blue cheese: Roaring Forties Blue King Island Dairy
Best Brie: Margaret River Dairy Company Whicher Margaret River Dairy Company
Best ricotta: Alba Cheese Manufacturing ricotta
Best cottage cheese: Brancourts Classic Cottage Cheese
Best Natural Yoghurt: The Yoghurt Shop Natural Yoghurt
Best Greek Yoghurt: Maleny Gourmet Natural Unsweet Yoghurt
Best Sour or Cultured Cream: Meander Valley Dairy Sour Cream and Bulla Crème Fraiche
Best Vanilla Ice-Cream: Bulla Creamy Classic Vanilla Ice Cream
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