Today we went on a trip to Wensleydale Ice Cream to see how ice cream is made and where the milk used for this comes from. First Gill explained to us the difference between the milk that comes straight from the cows (which they use in their ice cream) and the milk we buy in a supermarket. All the children spotted how much yellower the Jersey milk looked and could spot the layer of cream on top.
Then we discussed the difference between cheap supermarket ice cream and artisan ice creams like Wensleydale Ice Cream make. Did you know that cheap ice creams are full of processed products and air? The children couldn’t believe the difference in weight between the two tubs which were the same size. We decided to weigh them to see how much heavier the Wensleydale Ice Cream was. It was a whopping 350g heavier – two thirds as heavy again as the cheap ice cream!
Then Adrian showed us the milking parlour. It was fascinating to see the machines they use and to learn about the difference between Jersey cows and Holstein Friesians. Jersey cows only produce 20 litres of milk a day but there milk is much creamier than the Friesans who produce around 30 litres a day.
We also got to see the calves and talk about why it is important that the cows have calves. Why do you think this is?
Standing just outside the kitchen we got to see where the magic happens! This is the machine which turns milk and other ingredients into ice cream after the milk has been through the pasteuriser. Gill talked us through what they do and how it all works as well as some health and safety tips!
And at the end we got to enjoy a ice cream in the sun! What a lovely day – Thank you to the whole team at Wensleydale Ice Cream.
http://www.wensleydale-icecream.co.uk/
