It does a body good, goes the famous advertising campaign for milk. Indeed, milk is a good source of calcium and vitamin D for strong bones, and iodine for good thyroid function. Here are six interesting ways to enjoy it.

SERIOUSLY CHEESY

You know a food manufacturer is not mucking around when it stamps the word 'seriously' on its products.

And I have to say that McLelland's Strong Extra Mature Cheddar is seriously good. The assertive flavour of this sharp, tangy British cheese makes you sit up a bit. Not a bad thing. Have slices of it on crackers, or alternate with bites of a Royal Gala apple. It also makes a really delicious grilled cheese sandwich. The other ones are a lot milder. Farmy Cheddar has a gentler, more rounded flavour than its extra mature counterpart. Double Gloucester and Red Leicester are mellow and mild, good for those who don't want their cheeses with too much bite.

McLelland cheeses, $6.27 for a 200g block, from Cold Storage and Carrefour supermarkets.

GO ALL FRESCO

I found this glass pot of queso fresco (fresh cheese in Spanish) nestled in the cheese section at Cold Storage last week. It was so new the checkout scanners couldn't figure out what it was.

Well, it's a smooth, spreadable fresh sheep's milk cheese from Spain that is quite different from the more crumbly Mexican version. It has a mild flavour and is less rich and less salty than cream cheese.

Spread it on a toasted slice of baguette, throw some chopped olives or chopped tomatoes on top of it, and drizzle some olive oil over everything and you've got a light lunch.

Montesinos Queso Fresco di Oveja, $10.50 for a 100g pot, from Cold Storage, B1-18 Great World City. Opening hours: 9am to 10pm daily.

CREAMY PUDDING

I must have walked by these puddings a hundred times, while picking up bento meals from the takeout place just outside Meidi-Ya supermarket.

Then a friend insisted I try one. I did, and this is one heavenly pudding.

Think panna cotta, that Italian dessert of cooked cream set with gelatin, and imagine something more wobbly, more voluptuous. It quivers so sexily on a spoon.

I'll eat it on its own any day, but it does come with a small pot of caramel. Use it.

Milk Pudding, $3.50 a cup, from Meidi-Ya Supermarket, B1 Liang Court, tel: 6339-1111. Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily.

CURD SO GOOD

Here's something for people watching their fat intake - fromage frais, a fresh curd cheese that's popular in Europe.

It tastes like a thicker version of yogurt and despite having zero fat, is pretty rich on its own. Mask the tartness by drizzling runny honey over it, or by stirring in a spoonful of your favourite jam.

If you prefer savoury food, use the cheese in dips that call for yogurt, or as a topping for a baked potato, with salt, pepper and a sprinkling of chopped scallions.

Fromage frais, $14.75 for a 1kg tub, from Carrefour supermarkets.

PICK-ME-UP STICKS

Milk from Jersey cows is supposed to be among the richest and creamiest so when I saw these milk sticks, I grabbed them.

The Japanese stick snacks are just like Glico Pocky - pretzel sticks with a sweet coating. The Yogurt flavoured one has a subtly tangy flavour and I like it better than the rather sweeter and more cloying Milk version.

Kabaya Jersey Milk Stick, $3.15 for a 60g box, from Meidi-Ya Supermarket, B1 Liang Court, tel: 6339-1111. Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily.

LAIT NOTICE

We've gone through cheeses, a pudding and even a snack. But what if you just want a plain old glass of milk?

Try Lait de Montagne, from Carrefour's house brand range. This full-fat milk is rich and creamy and tastes pretty good for a shelf-stable, tetra-packed milk. It's best drunk cold, straight from the fridge, and with some big, fat, chunky chocolate chip cookies for dunking.

Carrefour Lait de Montagne, $1.90 for a 1-litre pack, from Carrefour supermarkets.

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