# Can people tell the difference between skim and whole milk? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 1, 2011, 10:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829 "2011-09-01T10:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/41 "2011-09-01T15:21:25Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The way I read it is this: ‘This isn’t like comparing Pepsi and Coke, [_which taste virtually the same_]. Whole milk and skim milk are entirely different.’ > > I say that Coke and Pepsi are immediately differentiated by taste. Yes but I think the point is that whole and skim milk are _even more_ dissimilar than Coke & Pepsi. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/42 "2011-09-01T15:22:06Z")
Well I think they’re missing a marketing opportunity. They should brand skim milk as “I can’t believe it’s not whole milk”\ > [@Frylock](#): > > When I was poor, I was at the WIC office and they were doing a taste-test demonstration of people’s general _inability_ to make the distinction between skim and whole. > … > BTW my wife failed that taste test. This conveniently explains both the initial question and why you didn’t simply accept your wife’s answer. It’s just strange you left it out of the OP… \ ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/43 "2011-09-01T15:22:29Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Isn’t that **clockwork** ’s point? > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > The way I read it is this: ‘This isn’t like comparing Pepsi and Coke, [_which taste virtually the same_]. Whole milk and skim milk are entirely different.’ > > I say that Coke and Pepsi are immediately differentiated by taste. **Johnny** correctly read my meaning. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/44 "2011-09-01T15:26:00Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > Not only can I taste the difference, I can SEE the difference. Yep. I wonder if there is much difference between the following: 1. a gallon of skim milk 2. a gallon of the following mixture: 3 parts whole milk, one part water ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/45 "2011-09-01T15:26:52Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Umm… You really thinkg “I don’t believe X” means the same thing as “I believe X is lying”? > [@](#): > > I think this had to be rigged. I can’t imagine that 50% couldn’t tell the difference. It’s night and day. > > ETA, just saw your link. Hard to believe. Note that if the cited percentage is valid, it tends to support your (to some extent, anyway). It says the difference is strong enough that a little over half the people out there can tell the difference. Whereas I was asking whether it’s even possible for _anyone_ to tell the difference. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/46 "2011-09-01T15:26:55Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > So far, nothing but anecdotes and personal claims. Not being snarky, but where are the double-blind taste tests, or visual tests? Not playing James Randi here but a lot of this is like audiophiles claiming to hear a differenct in speaker wires. It doesn’t stand up to testing. > > I can’t belive the government or industry hasn’t sponsored research in this area. “Cite please?” Really? [Okay then.](http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09202001-143947/unrestricted/Jodi.pdf) > [@](#): > > during homogenization and separation, this membrane is altered and destroyed decreasing the surface area lipase requires as a fat-water surface for activity. All of these functional properties are lost with the removal of the milk fat globule membrane with the milk fat during the separation stages of the milk process. Therefore, lowfat milks do not have the creamy and thick texture evident in whole milk as described previously (Saba et al., 1998; Phillips et al., 1995b). > Flavor is also an important sensory characteristic. Nonfat milk drinkers recognize > that nonfat and lowfat milk products are less satisfying and versatile then whole milk, but are willing to sacrifice this lack of flavor for the health and nutritional benefits that come along with lower fat consumption (Miles et al., 1995). Fat enhances the flavor of whole milk by contributing naturally occurring flavor compounds that are removed from milk when fat is removed (Phillips et al., 1995b). Flavor descriptors used to describe lowfat milk include astringent, bitter, and cooked (Phillips et al., 1995b). Whole milk > descriptors include buttery, sweet, salty and oxidized. The sweet and salty flavor comes from naturally occurring sugars and salts in milk such as lactones and minerals. Various aldehydes contribute to an oxidized flavor. Astringent and bitter flavors result from the nitrogen and sulfur compounds derived from the enzymatic breakdown of carbohydrates and protein compounds. > There have been several technological approaches to enhancing the sensory characterization of lowfat milk through formulations. These attempts have been made by using fat substitutes such as Litesse (Cultor, New York, NY) and Dairy Lo (Cultor, New York, NY), commercial fat substitutes, and also by formulating milk samples with nonfat dry milk (NDM) (Phillips and Barbano, 1997). When both NDM and fat substitutes were added to lowfat (2%) milk, samples were whiter and more viscous than lowfat milks without added ingredients based on sensory and analytical tests. Viscosity was increased also when NDM and fat substitutes were added … ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/47 "2011-09-01T15:28:23Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Well I think they’re missing a marketing opportunity. They should brand skim milk as “I can’t believe it’s not whole milk”\ > > This conveniently explains both the initial question and why you didn’t simply accept your wife’s answer. > It’s just strange you left it out of the OP… > \ Why is it strange? Since you called it “snark” it appears you think you’ve scored some point of some kind? A point in what game? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/48 "2011-09-01T15:33:33Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > If you’re used to skim milk, then whole milk seems like _paint_ in comparison. It even _looks_ different when you pour it on your cereal or in a glass. I’ve been drinking skim milk for so long that whole milk has an unpleasant stench to my taste. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/49 "2011-09-01T15:34:02Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > You really thinkg “I don’t believe X” means the same thing as “I believe X is lying”? Well, not to dwell on this, but if your Wife says she can tell the difference, why don’t you believe her? I would say that you think she is lying. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/50 "2011-09-01T15:35:46Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > “Cite please?” Really? Well, yes–this is precisely what was asked for in the OP. Do you think it is silly for anyone to ask for research on the topic? Well, the researchers who did research on the topic disagree! Take it up with them, I guess? > [@](#): > > [Okay then.](http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-09202001-143947/unrestricted/Jodi.pdf) Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. I now see that there are indeed people who can tell the difference. I am certain I can’t tell the difference–but perhaps I’ll go buy a couple of pints of differently-fatted milks later to test it out again. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/51 "2011-09-01T15:37:08Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Well, not to dwell on this, but if your Wife says she can tell the difference, why don’t you believe her? I would say that you think she is lying. What a bizarre thing to think. “I don’t believe you” means “I think you’re wrong.” In many contexts, it also implies a belief that a person is lying. But this is not one of those contexts. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/52 "2011-09-01T15:43:26Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > What a bizarre thing to think. > > “I don’t believe you” means “I think you’re wrong.” In many contexts, it also implies a belief that a person is lying. But this is not one of those contexts. :shrug: Bizzarre? Um, you think her opinion that she can tell the difference is wrong? I would say that is what’s bizzare here. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/53 "2011-09-01T15:45:39Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > :shrug: Bizzarre? Um, you think her opinion that she can tell the difference is wrong? I would say that is what’s bizzare here. People have misapprehensions about this kind of thing all the time. If they haven’t actually had the two experiences abutted next to each other in fairly controlled conditions, they are likely to think they are discerning differences between the experiences when they are actually being affected by external cues. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/54 "2011-09-01T15:48:34Z")
**Frylock** , just based on basic taste alone – as if someone squeezed a few drops of a medicine dropper out onto your tongue – there probably isn’t a ton of difference. The difference is much more about mouth feel, IMHO … and yes, appearance. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/55 "2011-09-01T15:52:31Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > Well I think they’re missing a marketing opportunity. They should brand skim milk as “I can’t believe it’s not whole milk”\ It’s not really a missed oportunity…but I’m beginning to wonder how widely distributed it is (I mean, you probably don’t know the joys of [Redsox ice cream](http://www.hood.com/Products/prodListColl.aspx?id=935) outside of the north east, either). Hood’s [Simply Smart](http://www.hood.com/Products/prodListColl.aspx?id=862) milk plays up on the fact that their milk tastes like milk with higher fat contents. 1% tastes like whole etc. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/56 "2011-09-01T15:52:54Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I am certain I can’t tell the difference–but perhaps I’ll go buy a couple of pints of differently-fatted milks later to test it out again. If you can’t tell the difference now, I’d bet money you could learn to distinguish them in less than an hour through experimentation. Drinking with gusto out of a glass (as opposed to careful sipping or using a straw) should amplify the diffferences. You could start with half-and-half vs skim at first. Or heck, even whipping cream vs. skim. Then work your way down. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/57 "2011-09-01T15:57:24Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > If you can’t tell the difference now, I’d bet money you could learn to distinguish them in less than an hour through experimentation. Drinking with gusto out of a glass Ick ick ick. 😃 I haven’te mentioned yet, have I, that I _really hate_ milk. Except when I am eating either a bowl of chili or certain brands of frozen microwaveable pizzas. (And in cereal I guess.) Other than that–I find milk to be extremely disgusting, as in, I have no idea how you people drink it. But in the interest of science I may still try it. If you guys are all discerning a difference I haven’t discerned than by golly I’m going to learn to discern it. Maybe. If it can be done via sipping. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/58 "2011-09-01T16:00:37Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Why is it strange? Since you called it “snark” it appears you think you’ve scored some point of some kind? A point in what game? I don’t like the expression “scoring points”, “poking fun” is more what I was doing. But yeah it’s strange. The OP says skim and whole taste identical to you. And that your wife claims to be able to tell the difference between 1 and 2% but you’re skeptical. So two anecdotes. Then, after a few responses, you happen to recall that you were once at a public taste test for skim vs whole milk. The results of a whole day of testing were no better than chance, and your wife even took part and failed the taste test… Why did you leave out that far more significant anecdote, especially since it changes the character of one of the things you _did_ mention? ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/59 "2011-09-01T16:07:37Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I don’t like the expression “scoring points”, “poking fun” is more what I was doing. > > But yeah it’s strange. > > The OP says skim and whole taste identical to you. And that your wife claims to be able to tell the difference between 1 and 2% but you’re skeptical. So two anecdotes. > > Then, after a few responses, you happen to recall that you were once at a public taste test for skim vs whole milk. The results of a whole day of testing were no better than chance, and your wife even took part and failed the taste test… > > Why did you leave out that far more significant anecdote, especially since it changes the character of one of the things you _did_ mention? I don’t understand how it changes the character of one of the things I mentioned. Can you explain that further? The anecdote from the past did occur to me while I was writing the OP, but it didn’t seem relevant–I just wanted to know if there is research on the topic, and I wrote a minimal tale just to make the question feel motivated because I know people tend to like questions better when there’s a tale behind them. Moreover the older event, as I said, I don’t consider to be very indicative of anything since it wasn’t very well controlled. I mentioned it later as an excample of an “anecdote of my own” to add to the ones already in the thread, but as I said in that very post, I don’t actually take it to have much evidentiary value–hence, given the nature of my OP, not much relevance. That, again, is why I didn’t mention it in the first place: It wasn’t relevant in the first place. Anway, what I really wanted to type was just this: > [@](#): > > Can people tell the difference between skim and whole milk? 1% and 2%? No anecdotes or unsubstantiated claims please–I’m looking for hard data. But I’ve found that people get weird about such direct uncontextualized questions around here. Strange but what can you do? So I appended a tale. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829/60 "2011-09-01T16:18:09Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > Ick ick ick. 😃 I haven’te mentioned yet, have I, that I _really hate_ milk. > > Except when I am eating either a bowl of chili or certain brands of frozen microwaveable pizzas. (And in cereal I guess.) > > Other than that–I find milk to be extremely disgusting, as in, I have no idea how you people drink it. > > But in the interest of science I may still try it. If you guys are all discerning a difference I haven’t discerned than by golly I’m going to learn to discern it. Maybe. If it can be done via sipping. This might be why you struggle to tell the difference, as when comparing something you hate to something else you hate, you may well be less likely to consider the finer points that distinguish them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-people-tell-the-difference-between-skim-and-whole-milk/594829.md?page=4)