Whats the difference between evaporated milk and regular milk

Whats the difference between evaporated milk and regular milk

Evaporated milk has had some liquid removed.

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What's the difference between evaporated milk and regular milk? Exactly what the name suggests: Evaporated milk has had some liquid removed. You can substitute evaporated milk for milk in many uses, but not all.

Evaporated Milk vs. Milk

Before you open a can or box of evaporated milk and start cooking, make sure you have the right thing. Evaporated milk is often placed right next to condensed milk on the store shelves, but the two will do different things to your recipes.

As the International Dairy Foods Association explains, about 60 percent of the water has been removed from both evaporated and condensed milk. But condensed milk also contains added sweeteners. Evaporated milk can, with a few caveats, be reconstituted and used more or less like regular milk. But because of that extra sweetness, condensed milk exists in a category of its own.

You may also encounter dry milk — a non-sweetened version from which all the water has been removed. Like evaporated milk, dry milk can be reconstituted by adding water and, with a few caveats, used like regular liquid milk.

Like liquid milk, both evaporated and dry milk are available in skim, nonfat and whole or full-fat varieties — another good reason to pay close attention to the product labels as you shop.

Substituting Evaporated Milk for Milk

If you want to use evaporated milk in place of regular milk, follow the directions on the container label — usually, you should blend 1 part evaporated milk to 1 part water. Or, as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment explains, mixing one 12-ounce can of evaporated milk with 1 1/2 cups of water will get you 3 cups of milk.

They also note that unopened cans of evaporated milk can be stored for up to six months. However, as the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (Missouri DHSS) explains, once you open a can of evaporated milk, any unused portions should be stored in a tightly covered container and used within three to five days.

Most people think that reconstituted evaporated milk has a slightly different taste than regular milk — so one good way of stretching your dairy stores is to reserve your real milk for drinking or use in cereal, where its taste is the most obvious. Meanwhile, you can use evaporated milk in a wide variety of recipes in which any slight differences in taste are less obvious.

Tips for Evaporated Milk Recipes

The Missouri DHSS offers some great ideas for recipes in which you can use evaporated milk — from baked goods to macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, soups, puddings and creamer for coffee or tea.

Want a creamier end product? Instead of reconstituting your evaporated milk with water, just use the same amount of evaporated milk as you'd use fresh milk. Another good tip from the Missouri DHSS: Opt for skim/low-fat or fat-free versions of evaporated milk to keep your food's fat content down. And no matter what version you opt for, shake the evaporated milk well before opening it.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment provides another great suggestion for covering up the slight difference in taste between reconstituted evaporated milk and regular milk: Try adding a few drops of vanilla to each quart of reconstituted milk. Note that 1 quart equals 4 cups.

Learn more about what evaporated milk is, and what to substitute for it when cooking.

Evaporated milk is milk that has been cooked down to allow some of the water content to evaporate. The concentrate is canned, and the result is a heavier tasting milk with a slightly toasted or caramelized flavor. If you don't have any, make your own: To produce 1 cup of evaporated milk, simmer 2 1/4 cups of regular milk down until it becomes 1 cup.

In many recipes, evaporated milk may also be replaced with a combination of whole milk and half-and-half. For 1 cup of evaporated milk, use 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup half-and-half.

Contrary to the name, evaporated milk is a canned liquid and not a powder. The milk product is extremely shelf-stable and, in many cases, can be used in place of regular milk or cream. Some recipes specifically call for evaporated milk.

Fast Facts

  • Evaporated milk is a slightly darker color than fresh milk.
  • Shelf life: 15 months
  • It's used around the world and popular in coffee beverages.

What Is Evaporated Milk?

Evaporated milk is a milk product, usually sold in cans, that is made by removing about 60 percent of the water from ordinary milk. Evaporated milk can be made from whole milk or skim milk. In either case, the milk is homogenized and then the water is removed with gentle heat. The product is sealed in cans which are then heated to kill any bacteria in the milk.

Powdered Milk vs. Evaporated Milk

Powdered milk (also known as dry milk) is a powder. It's a dairy product that has had the liquid removed. Evaporated milk is canned cow's milk and a liquid. It is sometimes called unsweetened condensed milk. Evaporated milk is not the same thing as condensed milk. Condensed milk is also reduced by 60 percent, but it is heavily sweetened, making it thick and syrupy. It is typically used in baking and desserts as well as Thai and Vietnamese coffee and tea. The two canned milks cannot be used interchangeably, so make sure you carefully read the label when purchasing.

Evaporated Milk Uses

Evaporated milk can be used in its true form directly from the can or it can be diluted to resemble fresh milk. Because it has such a long shelf life, it's a good option in places where fresh milk is scarce, refrigeration isn't available, or as a back-up when you simply can't make it out to the store to buy milk.

How to Cook With Evaporated Milk

Undiluted evaporated milk is frequently used in coffee and tea in a variety of countries. It adds more creaminess than fresh milk with less fat than cream. It is also called for in some dessert recipes and can frequently be used in place of half-and-half. Diluted evaporated milk can be used just like milk for cooking, baking, and even pouring over cereal or into drinks.

What Does It Taste Like?

Evaporated milk tastes like milk but with a thicker, less watery consistency. The process of heating the evaporated milk in the cans imparts a slightly sweet flavor to the milk and it's just a bit darker in color than ordinary milk. It has a similar viscosity to half-and-half.

Evaporated Milk Substitute

An easy swap for evaporated milk is fresh milk and half-and-half. To replace 1 cup of evaporated milk, use 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup of half-and-half. Another option is to make your own evaporated milk. Heat 2 1/4 cups of regular milk and gently boil it down until it reduces to 1 cup.

Evaporated Milk Recipes

Evaporated milk can be used much like half-and-half, adding creaminess to coffee, pies, cakes, gravies, soups, and dressings. It's often called for in classic pumpkin pie and fudge recipes.

  • Spiced Pumpkin Pie With Molasses
  • German Salad Dressing With Evaporated Milk
  • Tres Leche Pastel

Where to Buy Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk can be found at major supermarkets in the baking aisle. You'll find it near the sweetened condensed milk and powdered milk. Read the label carefully to make sure you're buying evaporated milk.

Storage

Canned evaporated milk can be stored for at least a year, although you should always check the use-by date printed on the can. Don't use any cans that are rusted, dented, or bulging. Once you open the can, pour out any leftover evaporated milk into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Use within five days.

Can regular milk be substituted for evaporated milk?

Substitute Regular Milk for Evaporated Milk The milk you have in the refrigerator is the best substitute for evaporated milk because it can be concentrated, much like the product you find on grocery store shelves. To make your own evaporated milk, pour 2/3 more milk than called for in the recipe into a saucepan.

What is the point of evaporated milk?

Evaporated milk gives body to smoothies, thickens up and sweetens coffee, and adds nuance and richness to creamy soups and chowders, not to mention savory sauces and even oatmeal. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth, you can also use it in place of sweetened condensed milk in plenty of desserts.