Skimmed milk that tastes like semi-skimmed? Arla's new BOB -Best of Both

You cannot begin to imagine how much milk we get through in this house. A friend once said she thought we should just get a cow or two as she stared open mouthed at me loading my trolley with enough four-pinters to supply a primary school.

I usually buy full-fat milk out of habit. With seven children now aged 7-21 I have had a child under five for  a long time and have always felt they needed the full fat variety.

I like the taste of skimmed milk but the children - not so keen. I had just come to the conclusion that I had to compromise and buy semi skimmed.

Then I heard about Arla's new BOB - Best of Both- milk which tastes like semi-skimmed but is fat free!

Arla BOB Best of Both milk

Now I am all for saving calories and fat grams wherever possible so I can waste them later on treats so this sounded almost too good to be true.

I spotted it easily in the chiller alongside the other milk varieties with its distinctive yellow lid- I liked the cheery packaging and the fact that it is 100% British milk.

So onto the taste test. I poured myself a generous serving and have to agree with those involved in Arla's own taste test - it really does taste liked semi-skimmed milk!

My husband tried it too and agreed with me. My milk-guzzling 11-year-old son sipped it thoughtfully and said he thought it was "fine." That's good enough for me!

So - how do Arla do it? I'm glad you asked. 

The simple yet brilliant process took three years to develop and sees naturally occurring milk protein carefully added back to skimmed milk to boost its flavour and texture. 

Free from artificial ingredients and additives, it’s this extra protein which makes Arla BOB taste so good.

The milk is fat free, pasteurised, filtered and then enriched with the protein to deliver a taste and texture that is as good as semi-skimmed.  In addition, with Arla’s unique PurFiltreTM process, it also apparently lasts longer in the fridge.  Not that milk last very long in my fridge to be honest.

BOB is available in all good stores nationwide from 11th January in 2-litre (rsp: £1.50) and 1-litre formats (rsp: £1).  

Disclaimer: I was sent store vouchers to try Arla's BOB milk for the purposes of this review. Views and opinions remain honest and my own.