Milk in Japan
 

I was just wondering a few things about milk in Japan.
1. Why do Japanese people prefer warm milk over cold milk?
2. Why do most Japanese people seem to not like the taste of milk?
3. I guess like beef, Japanese milk comes from Kobe, right?

Interesting questions. :D
Heh, I wish I knew...

I don`t believe so. Everyone I have ever drinking milk has been drinking cold milk.

From what I understand, Asians have a higher occurrence of lactose intolerance. If you drink too much milk, you get an upset stomach. Not everyone, of course, but it seems to be fairly common.
Most kids drink milk at school with their lunches though.

Actually, most Japanese beef doesn`t come from Kobe. That`s just a specific "brand" of beef.
I have never heard of "Kobe milk". Hokkaido milk, on the other hand, is pretty common.

most of what Ive seen so far are cold milk.

says who??? most home around my area have this little milk box, just outside their doors for the milkman.
contrary to what you believe, they seem to be drinking milk all the time. :D

NO, those are just overpriced beef. Those cows are not used for milking. It is breed for the meat not for the milk.

If any of them don't drink milk, its probably just because Japanese milk tastes funky...Don't know whats different in the process from American milk...but it just tastes a bit off to me.

Perhaps it's pasteurized or homogenized with other methods that create that strange taste.

love milk...

Finally! Japanese people and I seem to have something in common!

hmm japanese milk does kinda taste weird..

Hmmm...on all the Japanese shows I've watched milk was served hot.
And when I was in Japan the family that took care of served it hot.

But that's good...I prefer it cold..
And I love milk. So what you say is reassuring samokan.

Oh, and thanks for the info on where Japanese milk comes from.

I think I heard something like that once, but I can't remember the something like that once, but I can't remember the details.

I heard it's pasteurized at a higher heat, and a slightly different process. It did take a bit of getting used to, but it doesn't taste bad, just a bit different.

I like warm milk, cold milk makes you burb :p lol

I like cold chocolate milk.

I do not like the one with no specific flavourings.

i only like chocolate milk from Nesquick...

I agree with everything said by Nyororin.
But my outlook on milk personally is.... HOW CAN YOU LIVE WITHOUT IT???
I drink at leat 5-8 gallons og milk a wekk. I know it must sound crazy, but it's true. I love to drink skim milk above all other milks.
Oh and I love to drink soy milk. It has a certain taste to it I can't resist.
My favorite brand is West Soy in low fat plain.

I would die with out milk, i haft to have my milk... and alot of it.!.

As others have pointed out, that's all not all the way true...

I hate milk. Only can handle it in chocomilk, little cereal, or in my hot tea. If I have to drink it straight, I usually gag from the taste and smell...

But a few of my japanese friends LOVE it. ._.;
So...yeah...

I hate milk o_o
I'm the same as Kayci..i only have milk in cereal and stuff..drinking it straight is horrible >_<

I would die without milk, it's like my favorite drink!

While i was at a convention. i found some tea there that had chocolate milk in it....

Really Asians are more Lactose Intolerant? I never heard of this before, I find it kind of strange...Is there something in their genes/DNA whatever that doesn't agree with milk or something like that?


But wouldn't Kobe make milk as well if they have cows there used for beef? Or do they only use the Kobe cows for meat?

Late to this topic, but I was curious about the milk thing as well. I was curious why I don't hear much about the Japanese consume milk the way we Americans do. I personally looooooove milk. The way alcohol is to an alcoholic is how I am with milk. Too bad I'm lactose intolerant. I have a strong reaction to milk...not the typical symptoms, anymore, either. I get ear infections if I consume too many dairy products, so I try to avoid them or have it in moderation. When I fear an infection coming on, I just wean myself away from it. I'm craving a glass of milk right now. lol

So...in what way is Japanese milk different from American milk taste wise? Anything specific?

milk has tasted different in every country i have been to, how can you explain a different taste? haha. you get used to the different taste and then begin to like it. i remember when i first started living in japan i would only have milk with cereal. then later on i grew to like it and drank it all the time.

as for kanji's question,
cows used for meet are of a different breed to those used for milk. thus simply because cattle meat comes from a region doesn't mean the milk will also.

Oh, I guess I should've been more specific. Is there anything really distinguishable between American milk and Japanese milk?

well im not american so can't help you there.. but i mean what are you looking for.. they have full cream and low fat milk there just like any other country.. it comes from cows and it will probably taste different. haha... not sure whatelse anyone can add.

The taste is simply... different. It's really hard to explain. It's not bad, just not what you're used to in the US. But after a while you get used to it, and you don't really notice it anymore. It's because of their different pasteurization process.