The supplier of water buffalo milk to a Vancouver gelato maker says when they first went into business together, it was mostly about the taste.

Later on, Brad Bennik said, it also became about the health benefits.

Bennik and business partner Matt Van Rookhuyzen, who operate in the Fraser Valley, are supplying the milk from their water buffalo dairy farm to Uno Gelato in Vancouver, which has just announced a new 鈥淏uffalo Lemon鈥� gelato flavour.

In gelato, buffalo milk makes for a 鈥渟mooth, creamy, rich consistency鈥� said Uno Gelato鈥檚 James Coleridge.

鈥淚t creates a wonderful texture for gelato and is a great compliment to our assortment of dairy and non-dairy offerings,鈥� said Coleridge, who was named International Gelato Master of the Year in 2014 by the International Fair of Artisan Gelato (MIG), won the Gelato World Tour North America the same year, and was the double gold winner at the 2012 Florence Italy Gelato Festival.

Water buffalo milk doesn鈥檛 contain a protein found in cow鈥檚 milk that many people are allergic to, and has lower cholesterol, higher calcium and antioxidant content.

In Italy, it鈥檚 used to make buffalo milk mozzarella, as a healthier alternative to cow鈥檚 milk, and is similar to goat鈥檚 and sheep鈥檚 milk.

Right now, the buffalo-based gelato is only available at the Vancouver location.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty small volume,鈥� Bennik said.

Down the road, he thinks it could be sold at farmer鈥檚 markets.

Bennik, a Fort Langley resident, believes he is the first farmer in the Lower Mainland to raise a herd of water buffalo for their meat and milk.

He and Van Rookhuyzen own around 60 grass-fed, domesticated Asian water buffalos.

鈥淲e sell to restaurants who make their own cheeses and yogurts,鈥� Bennik said.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a good ride.鈥�

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According to the , benefits of buffalo milk include:

路 It is pure white, with a 鈥渧elvety smoothness and subtle sweetness鈥� and high levels of the natural antioxidant tocopherol.

路 It has 58 per cent more calcium than cow鈥檚 milk, 40 per cent more protein than cow鈥檚 milk, 43 per cent less cholesterol than cow鈥檚 milk and is high in CLA or conjugated linoleic acid.

路 Both milk and meat products from water buffalo are rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a compound that has been found to possess many benefits including reducing risks of cancer and diabetes and supporting bone and weight maintenance.