[gh123]

Hi everyone,

I am moving to HK late July from the states. From this forum, I knew that the milk is very expensive in HK - at least 3-4 times of the price here in U.S.

I am also wondering about the taste of milk in HK if I get them from a local supermarket - do they taste similar to the ones here? The reason I asked is that I once travelled to Shanghai and found the milk there tasted very differently. (So does Coke there) The one packed in little plastic bag is aweful and the one in paper carton is a bit better and OK. The Austrialia milk is too pricy but if the local dariy get milk from mainland china, I may not like the taste at all.

I was looking for other option and found the Carnation Nonfat Dry Milk at Sams Club: http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...=5&item=201966

But it is mainly for the use of baking. I was wondering whether I can mail milk to HK - any problem with US or HK custom? Secondly, if it is OK to send them, is it a good idea to do so?

[CrouchingDonkey]

Hi gh123,

I don't drink milk on it's own, but I do have it in English tea. Even in tea, some brands of milk taste pretty bad! I think they have additives or flavourings in them to make them taste more 'creamy'.

There are however, a couple of brands that are purer, namely Select, Vita, and Austrailian Milk. I only buy these brands depending on which has the special offer on. These brands make my tea taste very similar to back home. (The only difference in taste probably due to the water here too) Also, even Starbucks here uses the Austrailian Milk, so it must be good enough!

Milk is considerably more expensive than the US or UK. A mall carton is around HK$6-odd. But there are often special offers on, which brings the price down to around HK$4. I really don't mind paying more for milk, especially since I don't drink a huge amount of it. If you're a large consumer of the stuff, then yeah, it can be costly, but your grocery bill will most likely balance out due to everything else being so damn cheap!

I have no idea about importing milk/powered milk, but I'd say it was inconvenient, and more costly, even if it were allowed through customs!

On a side note, I think the Coke here tastes better, and is more consistent on a can by can basis than UK Coke. Of course I much prefer the taste of Classic Coke, which you can get here on import from certain speciality supermarkets, albeit at a higher price!

Personally, I'm sure you'll be fine with the milk and Coke here in Hong Kong.

[lowlight]

Just read the label before you buy - most brands carry different types of milk. believe it or not, most of it is simply rehydrated powdered milk. That's probably the stuff you tried in China, and why most people here think milk tastes different.

There is also heat treated milk that does not need to be chilled unless it's open. That stuff is nasty, and I actually feel sick after I drink it.

But if you go to the dairy section of any grocery store like Wellcome or Park n Shop, you'll find a few brands that actually carry whole or skim or homogenized milk. It is fresh, and good. Tastes just like the milk I drank in Canada.

The brand I buy is Dairy Farm / Nestle. Be careful though, they have the concentrated stuff, and it is usually right next to the real stuff. The cartons look almost identical, so be sure to read the label each time you buy.

[cb1118]

actually, the best is to drink Soy Bean Milk
you can actually absorb more "calcium" from the equal amount of Soy Bean Milk than a Non-fat milk

**even Australia/New Zealand is promoting Soy Bean Milk
only America is still promoting Non-fat milk (because they produce too much daily products)

[lowlight]

Soy milk gives me diarrhea in a very bad way. Otherwise I'd drink it all the time

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by cb1118

actually, the best is to drink Soy Bean Milk
you can actually absorb more "calcium" from the equal amount of Soy Bean Milk than a Non-fat milk

**even Australia/New Zealand is promoting Soy Bean Milk
only America is still promoting Non-fat milk (because they produce too much daily products)

there's a school of thought against soy milk too.. soy milk is rich in phytoestrogens, which can have the same effect as estrogen when consumed in large quantities. they can cause gynomastica etc... the same soy beans are also used to form tofu and soy sauce, but the fermentation process apparently destroys they phytoestrogens... not so in soy milk products, so i'm led to beleive.

re real milk... i'm real fussy with milk, and the only milk i can handle in my coffee is Pura Masters from Oz, flown in everyday. yeah, $30/L, but worth it

i reckon getting powdered milk through customs would not be an issue. just declare it, and it should be sweet. but, why oh why punish yourself? you can get crappy powdered stuff here already

[julez]

I drink the aussie Pura milk. Nothing wrong with it. You can get a litre for about HK$25 .... it is worth paying for yummy milk

[kombuchakid]

Milk is soo bad for you that I only use one teaspoon in my first cup of coffee and thats it

Once a baby is weaned it doesn't need milk

http://www.milkgonewild.com/

United States Department of Agriculture Nutritional Data for Milk and Beer

MILK (I cup, 2% milk) BEER (I cup)

Fat (g)

5 0

Fiber (g)

0 .5

Sodium (mg)

122 12 Cholesterol (mg) 20 0

Calories

122 97 Calories from fat (%)

37

0

[Katanga]

do you suggest using beer in baking then ?

[kombuchakid]

http://www.milksucks.com/beersurvey.html

[scroll to the bottom of the page]