Milk. It’s supposed to be the secret to strong bones. At least that’s what parents told their children and what the lunch ladies reminded students as they slid the little cartons across cafeteria tables. I was never much of a milk drinker, but I did want strong bones. Besides, there was something fun about milk mustaches and blowing bubbles until the cartons overflowed.
When my four children were growing up, there were always at least two gallons of milk in the refrigerator. No grocery trip was complete without bringing home another gallon. For years, milk was as much a household staple as bread or eggs.
Then one day, it happened.
Only a little milk remained in the bottom of the jug, and it was taking up precious refrigerator space. I poured myself a glass, took a big gulp, and instantly spit it out. Spoiled milk. UGH! One of the most disgusting tastes imaginable. It hadn’t reached the chunky stage yet, but it had turned unmistakably sour. Blech. I spit it into the sink and rinsed my mouth for what seemed like forever, trying to get rid that horrible taste.
To this day, I can’t drink a plain glass of milk. I’ll use it in cereal or coffee, and chocolate milk is still a treat, but straight milk? Absolutely not. And I always smell the milk before I use it.
Just the other morning, while making my first cup of coffee, I pulled out the half gallon of milk. (The days of buying milk by the gallon are long gone). Out of habit, I gave it the usual sniff test. After our weekend in Chicago, it had soured.
No milk for my coffee.
Thankfully, there was just enough Half & Half waiting in the refrigerator to save the morning.
I quit drinking milk as a teenager, I use a little for cooking, and heavy cream for cooking.
ReplyDeleteHeavy cream for cooking...you use the good stuff!
DeleteUrgh, yes. When I was working full time I took my own cafetiere and a tub of ground coffee into work with me so that I could make my own fresh coffee. I soon learned to put the milk from the office 'fridge into the cup first before tentatively pouring on the brewed coffee after several episodes of discovering those horrible lumps of soured milk floating to the top if I did it the other way round. The office 'fridge was not very efficient!
ReplyDeleteSour milk is a definite UGH!
DeleteYuck, that is awful. I've never experienced that because I don't drink milk (or coffee, for that matter). I never acquired a taste for coffee and my mom told me that I quit drinking milk when I was still very young. She said that I simply would not touch the stuff. I know, I'm weird. I've been told that before.
ReplyDeleteNope, you're not weird at all. You know what you like and don't like and that's that!
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