Donkey milk may sound funny, like the latest wellness fad, but its story stretches back thousands of years. Cleopatra was said to bathe in it to preserve her legendary beauty, and Pauline Bonaparte, Napoleon’s sister, followed suit in what was then seen as a scandalous luxury.
Today, this once-rare milk is making a comeback, prized for its nutritional value. Naturally low in calories yet rich in polyunsaturated fats, essential amino acids, and lactose, it’s gaining new fans across Europe.
Click through the gallery to see how this ancient tradition is finding new life, and whether it might be good for your health.