Creamy, Light, And A Little Sweet: The Hands-Down Best Milk Comes From This Local Brand

Folks who have relished a plate of milk and store-bought cookies may have wondered whether they picked the best brand of treats, but have you ever thought about the drink itself? If you've been living under the assumption that all milk brands taste the same, we've got news for you. When The Takeout ranked 12 store-bought milk brands, it shone a light on just how different the beverage can be from all these producers. Various levels of creaminess, sweetness, and body were some of the significant factors that led our tester to determine that Rhody Fresh was hands-down the best moo juice people can buy. 

If you've never heard of Rhody Fresh, you're not alone. The fact is that few people outside Rhode Island know it exists because it's a local brand that doesn't have widespread distribution. But our tester discovered that this hidden gem boasts a flavor unlike any other milk they tried. Subtle earthy and grassy notes combined with rich, full-bodied creaminess elevated this little-known brand to the cream of the crop. 

We can hear folks now saying, "Isn't all milk rich and creamy?" Usually, yes, but various brands succeed in that department to different degrees. Identifying the sophisticated differences between various milk brands requires a well-honed palate, but it's the dairy farmers who care for the animals that are responsible for those nuanced whispers of flavor.  

When marinating a steak in milk or simply enjoying a tall glass of Rhody Fresh, you can thank the dairy farmers behind it. However, Rhody Fresh isn't just a single dairy farm. It's a regional cooperative that sources milk from local producers and distributes it to stores in the Rhode Island area. Those dairy farmers (and of course, the cows) are responsible for the taste and consistency of the milk, and judging from what The Takeout's tester thought of Rhody Farm milk, they're doing things right.  

One of those dairy producers is Elmrock Farm. Elmrock has been providing its community with fresh dairy products since 1889, and it is one of the scant dairy farms still running strong in Rhode Island. Another Rhody Fresh partner is Escobar's Highland Farm, which has also operated for decades. Running a dairy farm isn't easy, but in an interview with New England Dairy, owner Louie Escobar said, "I guess it's the pleasure and love for our animals, our family and for what we are doing that keeps us going even through the toughest times."  

That love for the animals is reflected in the quality of the milk from Escobar's Highland Farm, as well as Rhody Fresh's other sources. Healthy, well-fed cows produce superior milk — both nutritionally and flavor-wise. Grass and hay account for the bulk of a cow's diet, but grains such as corn and barley assist in boosting production. Mineral mixes and vitamin supplements, as well as plenty of fresh, clean water, are also important parts of a cow's diet that help the animal yield top-tier milk like Rhody Fresh.