We have raw milk--now what?

[Coco_Hikes]

Any tips on using raw milk would be appreciated. Do we just go ahead and drink it the same way as store milk? I'm thinking of easing my DD into it, mixing with some store milk to get her used to the taste--she's 4.5 and in a picky phase so I don't want to overwhelm her and turn her off the raw milk from the start. What do you do with the cream that rises to the top--mix it in if you're drinking from a glass or before using in a recipe? I've read raw milk gets better with age, but how long about would a half gallon keep?

TIA!

[Bantams]

Milk of any sort does not get better with age, though it should keep at least a week.  Depending on your source it might stay fresh up to two weeks. 

I usually just shake the cream into the milk and drink it whole, but you can always skim it if the cream is needed elsewhere.  Personally, I can't stand skimmed milk - the more cream the better, in my opinion!

[prancie]

I find that 2 to 3 days after I get the fresh milk it tastes the best. The taste will always be changing from day to day because of the bacterial action in it.  I even like it soured to an extent.  And it also tastes best if it is a bit warmer than when it comes out of the fridge, still cold though.  Drink it as you would any milk, just shake it up some.  

[Coco_Hikes]

Thanks to you both. I've really been enjoying the milk so far. My DD not so much but we'll take our time.