Strange Raw Milk Flavor

[ridingmomma]

Hey all you raw milk drinkers--

We have been buying our raw milk locally from a great little farm with two jerseys. Usually the milk tastes awesome--a little sweet, and very fresh tasting. We have some milk we picked up a few days ago, and while it doesn't smell sour/rotten, it has an off, cheesy flavor to it. You can smell it as well. Just wondering if any of you have come across that before, and what you did with the milk. I would hate to dump it, but even the gallon of yogurt I made tastes different, so I am reluctant to make custard or something where the milk flavor might come through.

I am going to call the lady where we get milk tomorrow and ask if they changed feed or something recently. I did leave the milk out for about 4 hours after I brought it home since it was naptime and I forgot to stash it in the fridge, but it was still cool when I finally remembered. 

Just looking for any insight. Thanks!

[AJP]

4 hours unrefrigerated is enough to give those cheesy-tasting bacteria the boost they need to start altering the flavor.  Even if it still felt cool, anything over 40 degrees can start the process.

[ridingmomma]

Ahhh. You are probably right. It has been left out before, with no adverse effects, but there is always a first time. Bummer. Thankfully, I just cleaned my fridge out so now there is lots of space for milk, as soon as we bring it home. I buy 10 quarts at a time so we have enough for drinking and yogurt. Now I get to figure out what to do with 1 1/2 gallons of cheesy milk. Maybe make cheese?

[SuburbanHippie]

I would just use it to make soak grains.  Pancakes will use up a lot of it fast.  You end up smothering them in butter and syrup anyway so you won't taste the cheesy flavor.