Milk

Milk is a white liquid that baby animals drink when they are born. People drink milk too, mostly from cows. Milk has lots of calcium, which makes bones and teeth strong. It also has vitamins and protein. Milk is used to make many other foods like cheese and ice cream.

Where Milk Comes From

Most milk comes from cows on dairy farms. Goats, sheep, and even camels also give milk. Farmers milk the cows using special machines. The milk is then cleaned and put in bottles or cartons. Trucks take it to stores so people can buy it.

A modern milking parlor where cows give us fresh milk.
A modern milking parlor where cows give us fresh milk. (Gunnar Richter Namenlos.net / Wikimedia Commons)

Foods Made from Milk

Milk is used to make many yummy foods. Cheese, butter, and yogurt all start as milk. Ice cream and whipped cream are made from milk too. These foods are called dairy products. Many people drink milk with cookies or cereal.

Fun Facts

  • One cow can give about 8 gallons of milk every day.
  • It takes about 10 pounds of milk to make 1 pound of cheese.
  • Milk is almost 90 percent water.

Did You Know?

People have been drinking cow milk for over 7,500 years. Long ago, not everyone could digest it!