milk.org | Milk

Types of milk

Homogenized Milk
- Homogenized Milk
- Skim Milk
- Chocolate Milk & Flavoured Milk
- Buttermilk
- Whole Milk

Homogenized Milk

Homogenized or homo milk (meaning shaken up so the fat solids combine with the liquid), includes calcium, protein, potassium and vitamins A, B12, D, E and K. Because homo milk contains 3.25% milk fat, it’s more nutrient-dense (nutrients come from healthy fats). Plus, it’s ideal for frothing and adding to your latte or cappuccino.

For a lighter taste, 1% or 2% milk are options that are also a source of these essential nutrients.

Skim Milk

With skim milk, almost all the milk fat content is removed, leaving about 0.1%. Skim milk has fewer calories than other types of milk, but also slightly fewer vitamins and nutrients because those essential nutrients come from the healthy fats in whole or homo milk.

Chocolate Milk & Flavoured Milk

Who doesn’t love a cold glass of chocolate milk after a workout? Chocolate milk and other flavoured milk, such as strawberry or banana, still have the essential nutrients of unflavoured homo or whole milk.

In terms of flavoured milk’s sugar content, it’s about 25g of sugar per cup. However, 12g of that is from a natural sugar in milk called lactose. The remainder of the sugar listed would be the added sugar.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk is fresh milk with added bacteria culture. It’s tangy flavour and thicker consistency make for the perfect ingredient in baked goods, such as cakes, breads and biscuits.

Whole Milk

What is whole milk in Canada? It is usually unhomogenized milk and is a niche product where the milk fat solids separate from the liquid and rise to the top.

Whole milk can often be confused with organic milk, which is milk made from cows (on certified organic farms) that are fed an organic diet.

Our favourite recipes with milk

Stack of pancakes with a big glass of milk and a plate of fruit.

Easy Pancakes from Scratch

See full recipe

Easy Pancakes from Scratch

See full recipe

From Farm to Table

On the farm

Hard work means healthy cows means quality milk. Learn about life on a dairy farm.

Explore the farm

On the move

Read all about how milk is tested, processed and transported to your favourite, local grocery store.

Explore on the move

On your table

From beverages to sweet treats and breakfast to late-night snacks, there are so many ways you can enjoy Ontario dairy.

Explore on your table

Sign up for updates

When you sign up, we’ll send you coupons, promotions, recipes, news on events and even more great information on dairy delivered right to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Bottle and glass of milk on a table cloth

Milk: Facts vs. Fiction

Here are a few common misconceptions about milk.

Are there artificial hormones in milk?

No. Milk from Ontario dairy farms contain no trace of artificial growth hormones – their use has been banned in Canada since 1999. They do have a natural hormone called BST that helps them produce milk, but rbST, the artificial growth hormone, is strictly prohibited on Canadian dairy farms.

Are plant-based alternatives more nutritious?

Plant-based beverages can have different nutrition profiles, and more information can be found on nutrition labels. For tips on how to understand nutrition facts tables, visit the Government of Canada's Understanding Food Labels page.