# Brand loyalty for milk. WTF? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 5, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093 "2014-06-05T04:10:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/61 "2014-06-12T02:40:18Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > So how does being in Wisconsin somehow give you “a bit of an idea of what you’re talking about”? Are there mandatory classes in the dairy business? Or do you somehow gain knowledge from exposure to dairy cows? Does this knowledge extend to those living in Wisconsin cities who have no daily exposure to dairy cows? I wondered that too. I’ve lived in New Hampshire 2/3rds of my life but I still know fuck all about granite countertops. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/62 "2014-06-12T05:00:51Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Next thing some of you are going to tell me that ketchup and peanut butter tastes _significantly_ different depending on the label. Seriously? If you can’t taste a difference between certain brands of ketchup or peanut butter then you have a significant problem with your tasting ability. Have you scarred your tongue from drinking coffee too hot? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/63 "2014-06-12T17:29:10Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Um, NO. You guys are so full of boloney I’m surprised you don’t explode. You are aware that I’m in Wisconsin, right? I have a bit of an idea of what I’m talking about. > > It is all the same milk, and no middle class schmuck in a Woodmans is concerned about how a dirty old cow is being treated or how the milk is being processed (which is the same as everywhere else.). It all has the same nutritional values and all tastes the same. > > I’m thinking people are just stupid and buy in to to ridiculous advertisement nonsense. No, I’m not aware that you’re from Wisconsin, but that’s like saying you know a lot about cars because you live in Detroit. While I agree that the price difference is probably marketing; I can tell you all milk is not created equal. Growing up I worked for the farming operation that supplied alfalfa to Braum’s ([a dairy located in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri](http://www.braums.com/about-us/)). They grew their own alfalfa under guidelines, to feed to their own dairy cows to produce milk that met their standards. If you’ve ever had farm raised, grain fed catfish and compared it to ‘wild’ catfish (they’re bottom feeders) you’ll would appreciate the difference that diet makes in the final product. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/64 "2014-06-12T17:42:18Z")
Once in an emergency, I had to by a jug of milk at a nearby convenience store, and it was Bordens, which cost a buck or two extra for being Bordens and another buck or two extra for being at a convenience store. I actually didn’t like it, it tasted like reconstituted powdered milk, so much so that I carefully read the label to see if was some goofy product, but nope, it just had the standard language of the 2.49 milk at WalMart. But there WAS a difference, and who knows, somebody might like it and be willing to pay extra for it. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/65 "2014-06-12T17:46:12Z")
I had relatives that were dairy farmers. I grew up preferring Holstein milk over Jersey milk. It just tasted “fuller” (despite having less butterfat). But that’s at the farm end of things. Once all the milk is collected into huge vats, pasteurized, homogenized, butterfat removed and put back in to set %, etc., it’s pretty much the same in taste. What differs is quality of handling and shipping that affects how long it keeps and such. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/66 "2014-06-12T17:56:49Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Seriously? If you can’t taste a difference between certain brands of ketchup or peanut butter then you have a significant problem with your tasting ability. Have you scarred your tongue from drinking coffee too hot? :dubious: We do exist. Peanut butter is peanut butter to me. I prefer chunky, but otherwise, I buy the cheapest no-label brand. I also buy Wal-mart’s store label ketchup. To me, it tastes like Heinz. And I don’t consider my taste buds to be impaired. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/67 "2014-06-12T18:25:49Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > We do exist. Peanut butter is peanut butter to me. You do realize that different brands of peanut butter have different things added to them right? Peanut butter is not just crushed peanuts in a jar. ---
**Author:** ![Lorene89095](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@Lorene89095](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorene89095)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/68 "2014-06-12T18:34:16Z")
Promised Land milk is from smallish dairys with Jersey Cows only… No BGHs ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/69 "2014-06-12T20:14:37Z")
As someone who has personally extracted many gallons of milk from cows, I can tell you that there is absolutely a difference between dairies in how the cows are treated, what they’re fed, where they’re kept, how the milk is processed, etc. These factors may or may not be reflected in the taste or wholesomeness of the milk. I like milk and I drink it a lot and I have distinct preferences in taste so I buy a certain brand. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/70 "2014-06-12T23:15:47Z")
I would like to know where milk is $3 (or under) a gallon. I buy the discount 2% brand because it is 50 cents cheaper, normally $3.39 vs $3.89 for name brand. It also tastes different. And yes I can taste the difference. I have no real preference for either, but I can taste the difference. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/71 "2014-06-13T00:08:05Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I would like to know where milk is $3 (or under) a gallon. Tucson, AZ. Wal-Mart Great Value 2%. I just paid $2.74 for a gallon last week. > [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > You do realize that different brands of peanut butter have different things added to them right? Peanut butter is not just crushed peanuts in a jar. Again, I have no preference other than chunky over creamy and lowest cost. None of that enters into my decision-making. It may seem inconceivable, but there are those of us who just don’t give a shit about those things. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/72 "2014-06-13T00:12:25Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Again, I have no preference other than chunky over creamy and lowest cost. None of that enters into my decision-making. It may seem inconceivable, but there are those of us who just don’t give a shit about those things. But that’s different from the claim that they all taste the same, which the OP seems to be suggesting. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/73 "2014-06-13T00:15:31Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > But that’s different from the claim that they all taste the same, which the OP seems to be suggesting. Then I will state it. It all tastes the same to me. I realize my mileage varies from other people and I’m at peace with it. If you can taste a difference, I won’t dispute it. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/74 "2014-06-13T00:17:08Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > Then I will state it. It all tastes the same to me. I realize my mileage varies from other people and I’m at peace with it. If you can taste a difference, I won’t dispute it. That’s fine- it’s really no big deal to me what people buy. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/75 "2014-06-13T06:47:52Z")
I wonder if you actually marketed a brand as “Moo Cow Fuck Milk”, how the pricing would work… At first, I thought you’d have to damn near give the stuff away, but then on reflection, and knowing what humans are like, you might actually be able to charge a hefty premium. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/76 "2014-06-13T15:00:31Z")
I would think you’d have to charge a premium, and get it into Starbucks. “We proudly make our lattes and caps only with Moo Cow Fuck Milk and Cream, which is richer and more exclusive than your basic store brands.” ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/77 "2014-06-13T15:06:18Z")
^ **swampspruce** , the MCFM almost went all over the monitor. 🙂 You have a promising future in marketing ahead of you. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/78 "2014-06-14T05:15:35Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I would like to know where milk is $3 (or under) a gallon. Almost everywhere in NH for at least the past year. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2014, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/79 "2014-06-14T06:54:25Z")
There’s a few milk brands at supermarkets here in Australia. Excluding the ‘boutique’ ones (Soy, Almond, A1, etc), most whole milks are exactly the same. Except for Pauls! Pauls milk (pasteurised, homogenised) is one of the higher priced regular milks, but it tastes weird. IMHO, it’s always tasted weird and slightly off…but only when it’s from the plastic 2L flagon. I’m pretty sure that the flagons all come out of the same factory regardless of the milk brand, but for some reason, Pauls milk (maybe) has a reaction with the plastic and the milk is tainted. I’ve never had this experience with any other brand of milk…all of the cheapest ($1 per litre) milks taste just fine. It’s just Pauls milk. ---
**Author:** ![TheLoadedDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@TheLoadedDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheLoadedDog)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2014, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093/80 "2014-06-14T08:12:00Z")
I think if you have a cow named Paul, you might expect some issues there. 😃 I don’t drink milk, and have my tea and coffee black, so only buy it for my cereal. I just get the no name stuff. Seems fine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brand-loyalty-for-milk-wtf/690093.md?page=5)