Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Products I thought Americans had: Milk in a Bag

As you go through life, you have certain expectations, especially when you live next door to someone for a long time.

And then you find out your neighbor hasn't even heard of some of the stuff you are into, and well, it makes you a little disheartened really, like there is some vast cultural divide that you never knew about.

I mean, for 31 years, I thought you Americans had bags of milk.



I just took it for granted that everyone could go out and buy a gallon of a dairy product in a bag; a bag which contained 3 smaller airtight bags you take out individually as needed and slip into a special pitcher available at any supermarket, department store or generally wherever milk is sold, and then cut the corner off said bag, allowing one access to fresh milk. A fellow Canadian/Ontarian demonstrates the procedure.

To someone that hasn't seen it, I know it sounds bizarre, but I've used all three of the major milk distribution systems, and I have to tell you, it does has some distinct advantages.

I understand the advantages of buying a gallon of milk when you go shopping, but to me, I'd rather use that milk as I need it rather than lugging around that whole big jug of it every time I need a little milk in my coffee or if I was baking. And while I am using one bag of milk, the other two sit in the fridge, staying fresh and cold until needed. And because they are sealed, I can just lay them on the bottom shelf of the fridge until that time arrives. And as a delivery system, it uses far less plastic than a jug.

And I have to say, the milk tastes better than it does from a jug or carton. I just does.

To me, the bag of milk is much in keeping with something that seems very American in the dairy section: the 4 butter stick pound. More Canadian dairy companies should get on board with that little slice of genius. And I have to say, I think some Americans would probably like what bagged milk has to offer.

10 comments:

Arjan said...

that's the first time ever that I heard of a bag of milk.

Anonymous said...

Things I've learned from that video:

1 - Canada is filled with awesome cow-printed pitchers.

2 - Canada is also filled with questionable hairstyles.

Thanks for the info!

Anonymous said...

See, I am such the lazy American...it would be wayyy too much trouble for me to open up individual bags of milk and pour them in pitchers when I can just open my gallon, pour a bit in the coffee mug, then throw it back in the fridge ;).

MC said...

Thom: Well, wearing touques does have its disadvantages.

Arjan: I've heard they have them in Scandanavia too.

Hilly: You don't pour it into the pitcher... you drop it into the pitcher.

Arjan said...

I've been to Denmark, but haven't seen em there, maybe in Sweden, Norway or Finland.

Anonymous said...

Milk in a BAG!?!?!? You have gone crazy...

We have those too... Yeah, STFU, I know...

MC said...

Now this is weird... seems there is some dissention in the Dutch ranks here about bagged milk availability in the Netherlands.

Arjan said...

maybe I've just never seen it...I réally don't know where to buy bags of milk overhere. But then again, I don't drink milk, only use it to bake stuff etc.

Melissa said...

Interesting, I want a cow pitcher, but how does the milk once opened stay fresh? There's no way to close the plastic bag...or is there?

World Peace Intl said...

Milk in bags is not only a Canadian phenomenon (eh?). :) Here are the locations around the world that use milk stored/sold in bags: Columbia, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chili, Paraguay, Paru, Uruguay. Certain states within the USA also use milk bags and milk bag pitchers. Once the debate regarding jugs or bags is settled, you have the decision regarding milk bag cutters vs. scissors. Although scissors will cut the tip of the milk bag, they often leave an uneven cut resulting in unpredictable pouring and spills. Most milk bag cutters come with a magnet to stick the cutter on the fridge for easy access. Premium milk bag cutters like those found here...https://www.ebay.ca/itm/133923898305, also come with a clip on the front to attach the cutter to the milk bag pitcher that the 1 litre (0.264 gallons, just over a quart) bags are stored in.