Costa's core skills trainer Gihan Weerasinghe. Costa's core skills trainer Gihan Weerasinghe.

Camel milk is growing in popularity with Costa Coffee becoming the first international coffee brand in the UAE to offer the ingredient option on its menu.

The ingredient will be available from August 7 in over 30 Costa Coffee outlets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, with regular drinks available in camel milk instead of regular milk.

The brand will also launch a new Strawberry Camel Milk Cooler, which blends fresh camel milk, strawberry and vanilla.

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Costa Coffee UAE general manager Eric Hughes said the firm is the first international coffee chain with camel milk on the menu.

"Camel milk and dates were the traditional diet of the Bedouins up until the mid-20th century throughout the Middle East. Now this tradition is being introduced to Costa Coffee UAE where you can enjoy a delicious Camel Milk Cooler or simply add camel milk to your favourite Costa Coffee drinks," he said in a statement.

Hughes predicted that camel milk will be a popular alternative to cow’s milk, "particularly for those with lactose intolerances". It also has a range of other healthly benefits; it has 50% less fat than cow's milk, is high in vitamins and minerals including vitamic C and calcium.