Donkey Milk
“Adversity’s sweet milk, philosophy.”
Friar Lawrence said these words to Romeo to comfort him after he was banished for his relationship with Juliet. The gist of the quote is that when you are facing a difficult challenge, look to philosophy, or “love of wisdom,” as a salve to ease the pain.
I got a taste of philosophy, aka adversity’s sweet milk, several weeks ago when I was in Greece. It was a scorching day in Athens during the summer heatwave.
It was 9 am and the shops along the Roman Agora were just opening, vendors hosing off their respective slices of sidewalk and hanging their purses, t-shirts, shoes, banners, dresses, and tchotchkes out for sale.
I was almost out of sunscreen, and with the forecast auguring each coming day more sweltering than the last, I was looking for a quick purchase. I found a vendor on a shaded narrow path dripping with grapevines in full fruit.
Photo by Kim Bradley
Well, of course, I was going to purchase from this guy. I grabbed a sunscreen I had never heard of that was made in Greece (mostly because every Greek person I know has amazing skin) and decided to give it a try.
I went inside to the register and saw a display full of soaps with cute cartoonish donkey heads. The writing was in English with the words “MADE IN GREECE.”
Photo by Kim Bradley
I had never heard of such a thing.
I looked at the shop owner and held up the bar of soap.
In English I said, “Is this really made from the milk of a donkey?”
I was wondering if it was just a funny brand name or if it meant something else in Greece. Hey, I’m a curious tourist, give me a break. (You know, philosopher, lover of wisdom, and all that jazz.)
He was offended, as if I had accused him of peddling products with false advertising. He promptly reprimanded me.
“Yes, of course, it is made with donkey milk. Why would you think it wasn’t?” Might I add that his English was perfect.
In my head, I must have been confusing mules (infertile and thus not giving milk) with donkeys (plenty fertile, lots of milk), and I said, “I didn’t think donkeys gave milk.”
His look changed from offended to pitying. I knew he was thinking, “Dumb American.” I might have even been reading his mind, it was so clear.
“Yes, of course donkeys have milk. It is very special. This is a very good product.”
I then unwittingly doubled down on my blatant ignorance.
“Is this only in Greece? I’ve never heard of it.”
His expression went from pitying to incredulous. I was starting to feel like a donkey myself. (Lower than a donkey, actually, now newly educated as to the donkey’s esteemed place in the world.)
“What? You’ve never heard of donkey milk? No, it is not just in Greece. This beauty product is well-known all over the world. Not just soap, but face creams, body lotion, sunscreen, and shampoo. It is very hydrating. Women everywhere know this.”
He was implying that I was from nowhere. I wasn’t in a position to argue with him.
Fully flustered, but also intrigued by this new information, I said, “Ok, I would like to buy this soap, too.”
He went from Incredulous to a mix of pleased and amused.
Sunscreen and soap in hand, I rushed back to my apartment, washed my hands while inhaling the intoxicating fresh scent of donkey milk soap, and settled down for a research session with Mr. Google.
Here’s what I learned:
1. Yes, donkey milk is well-known and used all over the world for beauty products, from acne and eczema face creams to shampoo and hand lotion.
2. Mules are sterile, donkeys make lots of milk.
3. People have been drinking donkey milk for thousands of years.
4. Donkey milk is especially popular in Italy as well as Egypt, where Cleopatra allegedly bathed in it to keep her skin supple and lustrous. I even found a line of donkey milk products from a place called Cleopatra’s Beauty Line.
5. COVID-19 created a donkey milk craze in Europe as people clamored for its immunity-providing benefits. Click here for a video on the soaring popularity of donkey milk and the science behind donkey milk’s amazing therapeutic properties.
6. You can buy powdered donkey milk from Amazon, or have it shipped from a donkey farm in Oklahoma.
I haven’t tried drinking the milk yet, but I can attest to the moisturizing properties of the soap, as well as the adorable donkey on the logo.
Have you tried donkey milk soap or moisturizers? Have you ever tasted donkey milk? Leave a comment and let me know!
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