Tuesday, January 15, 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.

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