Raw milk is simply milk as it comes from the cow — unpasteurised and unhomogenised. Nothing is heated, nothing is spun out, nothing is added. It is the way people drank milk for thousands of years before industrial processing.
What "raw" actually means
"Raw" means the milk has not been pasteurised — it hasn't been heated to kill bacteria. Almost all milk in supermarkets is pasteurised, a process that gives it a long shelf life and a uniform taste. Raw milk skips that step entirely, so it stays a living food, complete with the natural enzymes and cultures present in fresh milk.
Because it isn't heat-treated, raw milk is sold under strict rules and carries a mandatory safety warning. We explain those rules in Is raw milk legal in the UK?
What "unhomogenised" means
Our raw milk is also unhomogenised. Homogenisation is a separate mechanical process that breaks up the fat so the cream can't separate. We don't do it — so a golden line of cream rises naturally to the top of every bottle. Give it a shake to mix it back in, or pour it off for your coffee. That's the famous cream line, and it's a sign of real, minimally processed milk.
How our raw milk is produced
- Grass-fed herd. Our native cows graze organic pasture, clover and herbs — never grain-finished in a shed.
- Certified organic. Longleys Farm has met Soil Association organic standards since 2000.
- Bottled fresh. The milk is chilled and bottled in glass the morning after milking, then delivered straight to you.
- Naturally A2. Our herd produces A2 milk — more on that in What is A2 milk?
What does raw milk taste like?
Most people are struck by how different it tastes — fuller, sweeter and creamier, with a flavour that changes subtly through the seasons as the pasture changes. It tastes of somewhere, because it is. This is the opposite of the standardised, identical milk you find on a shelf.
Raw milk is a seasonal, living product. Spring grass gives a lighter milk; summer pasture makes the cream deep and golden.
Is it safe?
As an unpasteurised food, raw milk carries inherent risk, which is why it is tightly regulated and must display the Food Standards Agency warning. Registered producers like us are inspected and test regularly. We believe in giving you the facts so you can make an informed choice — the official warning appears on every bottle and at the foot of this page.
Ready to try it?
Our raw whole milk comes in returnable glass and is delivered weekly across East Sussex or UK-wide by courier. See how delivery works to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is raw milk the same as unpasteurised milk?
Is raw milk homogenised?
Taste real raw milk
We deliver living, grass-fed organic raw milk across East Sussex and UK-wide.