Did You Know – Evaporated Milk
- Evaporated milk is a shelf stable canned cow’s milk product. Approximately 60% of the water has been removed from fresh milk to make evaporated milk.
- It differs from sweetened condensed milk, which contains added sugar and requires less processing to preserve, as the added sugar inhibits bacterial growth.
- Evaporated milk only takes up half the room of fresh milk. When it is mixed with a proportionate amount of water (150%), evaporated milk becomes the rough equivalent of fresh milk. The shelf life is months or even years, depending upon the fat and sugar content.
- Evaporated milk was very popular before the age of refrigeration as a safe and reliable substitute for perishable fresh milk. It could be shipped easily to locations lacking the means of safe milk production or storage.
- They add disodium phosphate (to prevent coagulation) and carrageenan (to prevent solids from settling), vitamins C and D to the evaporated milk.
- If you reconstitute evaporated milk it will be about equivalent to normal milk if you mix one part by volume of evaporated milk with 1 1/4 parts of water.
- The shelf life of canned evaporated milk can be about 15 months before any noticeable destabilization occurs.
- When left in its thickened, low-moisture canned state, evaporated milk can also stand in for milk or heavy cream as an enriching agent. It gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal.
- You may even decide to drink it on its own, use it to prepare smoothies, or enjoy it with your favorite cereal, especially if you’re trying to gain weight.
- What is the difference between evaporated milk and regular milk? Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then heating it. Heating the milk gives it the creamy, slightly cooked taste and darker colour. When mixed with an equal amount of water, it can be substituted for fresh milk in recipes.
Source: http://www.Wikipedia.com
http://www.InDianesKitchen.com
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Categories: Did You Know, Milk Based
Great information. I use evaporated to make Tres Leches and some Mac and cheese recipes I have. Like most condensed products, such as tomato paste, you just boil and boil until theirs little too no water.
I make a boiled cider that way. It turns out like a syrup and it is great on so many things. Thank you Randy!
I certainly didn’t
Thank you Derrick! I love when I can post things that are new to people. Have a great day.
Thank you for reposting Ned! đŸ¥°
Another of your informative and useful posts Diane
Thank you Sheree!
My grandmother used to use evaporated milk all the time.
I remember my grandma and mom using it too. I never knew you could just add water and it was almost exactly like buying milk. We don’t use much milk except for cooking and I throw it away all the time. I am thinking about keeping a few cans for my backup just for cooking now that I know that.
We don’t use a lot of milk either–for tea, cooking and baking, although I don’t do that as often as you do. That’s why I buy Fairlife ultrafiltered milk. It lasts way longer that regular milk although it is twice the price for a 1.5 little container.
Twice the price is fine when we throw out regular milk because it expires!
Exactly.
I’ve often wondered about the difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk. Now I know. I have family members that love using this for their coffee.
I have never tried it in coffee but I love it for cooking. Sweetened condensed milk can be boiled in water and it will turn into a delicious caramel! Yes you know I did it. đŸ¤£
Mom always had some in the cupboard. It makes the best custards and creamed soups.
I just made creamy chicken and wild rice soup. I know you think I’m nuts but it’s 68º in my house. đŸ¤£
Not crazy at all! We’ve kept our house cool too because it’s been so terribly hot and humid!
My husband makes a dessert using this milk, also coconut, chocolate chips, graham crackers and a few other things, I forget the name of the squares.
I don’t know but you sure made me hungry for whatever it is called! đŸ¤£
lol I’ll have to remember to ask him!
i grew up with this in my tea…great memories Diane, thanks!
I am learning that it was used a lot in the years past. I will have to use it more often now that I am learning of more ways everyone else is using it. Thank you June!
We stocked up on it (along with toilet paper, of course đŸ¤£) during the early stages on the pandemic/shortages. I learned more about how to use it today. Thanks, Dianne.
What a great idea that was! I have only used it for cooking but now I will have more as a backup for milk! You’re very welcome!
That was interesting Diane – I didn’t know you could mix it with watr to create the equivalent of regular milk. We always had oatmeal for breakfast through the years, but sometimes, on a weekend in Winter when there was more time, my mom made Cream of Wheat or Maypo and we’d always break open a can of Carnation Milk and pour away. I love the rich taste it has. I use powdered milk all the time now (Meijer Brand) and I also mix it in with my oatmeal to make it a bit creamier.
I used to love cream of wheat as a child, I bet it was delicious with the evaporated milk Linda!
Yes, very creamy Diane. You have to try it sometime. After we got the microwave, I’d make it sometimes, but it was lumpy as you either had to take it out every 30 second and stir it or it got lumps in it. My mom would say “when I made cream of wheat, I stood there and stirred it so YOU never had lumps.” (Guess she told me.)
She was sure the character Linda!
Evaporated milk over canned fruit … that’s one of my favourite childhood memories!
No way! I would never have thought to do that. You drain the juice first right? I have tons of canned fruit I will have to give it a try. Thank you Corna!
Yes, we drain the juice before adding the evaporated milk … in a glass for Berto to drink later đŸ¤£.
Heck there is nothing wrong with that!
Interesting food info! I always confused sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk!
They do seem to go hand in hand but huge difference in taste. Thank you đŸ¥°