Evaporated Milk | Baking Ingredients | BAKERpedia (2024)

Origins of Evaporated Milk

The idea for evaporated milk was born as a solution for transporting milk in the 1850s. During that time, bacteria made drinking and shipping milk a risky business. Gail Borden, a dairy farmer, considered this problem while accompanying his milk cows on a ship from London to the United States. The cows became seasick, so they could not be milked to feed hungry infant passengers. Once home, Borden began testing ways to process and package milk to endure long journeys. After discovering milk was over 80 percent water, Borden boiled the water off the top to create evaporated milk. After further tests, obtaining a patent, and teaming up with grocery wholesale owner Jeremiah Milbank, the first Eagle Brand Consolidated Milk production plant was opened in 1864.

Evaporated milk was not an instant success. Consumers had a hard time getting used to the taste and it was blamed for an outbreak of rickets in 1905, due to its lack of nutrients. However, the Union Army purchased evaporated milk in 1861 for rations, which helped boost the product’s popularity. Today, under two percent of all U.S. milk production is evaporated or condensed.

Application

Evaporated milk is easy to incorporate into almost any recipe and product. It can be purchased in low-fat and fat free options. Bakers often use it as a substitute for cream to help reduce fat content.

To substitute for a cup of regular milk, add in one part evaporated milk and one part water. For a more fresh-milk taste, add half the called for milk with evaporated milk, and the rest with water. Cream can also be used to even out the evaporated milk instead of water. Evaporated milk is stored at room temperature, and it is advised against freezing it.

FDA Regulations

Under FDA regulations, evaporated milk should contain at least 6.5 percent by weight of milk fat, 16.5 percent by weight of milk solids not fat, and 23 percent by weight of total milk solids. There must also be 25 international units of vitamin D. Evaporated milk is recognized as GRAS by the FDA.

References:

1. Muir, D. D. “The Stability and Shelf Life of Milk and Milk Products.” The Stability and Shelf Life of Milk and Milk Products. Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition, 2011. Web. 24 Aug. 2015.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978184569701350027X

2. Crowe, L.k., and Darrell D. Deane. “A Study of the Characteristics of a Milk Supply as Related to the Manufacture of Plain Condensed Skimmilk for Ice Cream Making.” Journal of Dairy Science 23.9 (1940): 919-29. Web.

Evaporated Milk | Baking Ingredients | BAKERpedia (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients in evaporated milk? ›

Ingredients: MILK, CONTAINS 0.5% OR LESS OF: DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, CARRAGEENAN, VITAMIN D3.

What can I use as a substitute for evaporated milk? ›

We have 6 different suggestions for evaporated milk substitutions.
  • Regular Milk (whole, 2% or skim) ...
  • Heavy Cream. ...
  • Half-and-Half. ...
  • Powdered Milk. ...
  • Regular Non-Dairy Milk (almond, oat, etc) ...
  • Coconut Milk.
Feb 28, 2023

How to make 1 cup of evaporated milk? ›

Make evaporated milk by heating 2 ¼ cups of regular milk and gently boiling it down until it reduces to 1 cup. This exact method is used to make evaporated milk for commercial retail. Evaporated milk is most commonly made with 2 percent milk, but whole milk, 1 percent, or skim will also work.

Can you add water to evaporated milk to make regular milk? ›

To use evaporated milk as a subsitute for fresh milk, add one and a half cans of water to each can of evaporated milk. Diluted evaporated milk is a good substitute for milk in coffee, hot chocolate and cooked cereal like cream of wheat or oatmeal.

Can you drink evaporated milk out of the can? ›

So, now we know that evaporated milk is safe to drink from its container, but just because you can consume it this way doesn't necessarily mean you'll want to. Since evaporated milk is thick and creamy, the consistency will be completely different than a regular carton that you're used to.

What are the ingredients in Nestle ideal evaporated milk? ›

Evaporated milk smooths and balances fatty dishes such as stews. It helps to tenderise meat. Ingredients: Full Cream Milk, Stabiliser (E450) Allergens: Contains Cow's Milk.

Is evaporated milk healthier than regular milk? ›

In terms of nutritional value, evaporated milk has a higher nutrient concentration than fresh cow's milk and, therefore, more calories. It has over twice as many grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fat – except for the reduced fat and fat-free varieties – and higher mineral content.

Is heavy cream and evaporated milk the same thing? ›

Evaporated Milk – With a similar consistency, you can use a 1-to-1 swap of evaporated milk for heavy cream in most sweet and savory dishes. Its flavor is richer with unique caramelized tones and is not a lower-fat option, but evaporated milk makes do in a pinch.

Does evaporated milk go bad? ›

And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it. If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it.

What is the point of evaporated milk? ›

But when left in its thickened, low-moisture canned state, it can also stand in for milk or heavy cream as an enriching agent. 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.

How do you make evaporated milk step by step? ›

Production. Evaporated milk is made from fresh, hom*ogenised milk from which 60% of the water has been removed. After the water has been removed, the product is chilled, stabilised, sterilised and packaged. It is commercially sterilised at 240–245 °F (115–118 °C) for 15 minutes.

What can I add instead of evaporated milk? ›

Substitute Heavy Cream for Evaporated Milk

Or, If you have both cream and regular milk on hand, thin the cream to make your own half-and-half. Whisk together equal parts of cream and milk and use the same amount called for in your recipe.

Can I substitute evaporated milk for milk in mashed potatoes? ›

Carnation Evaporated Milk is the best for mashed potatoes. I learned this from my mother-in-law in the '70s. She made hers with this, and they were the best I ever tasted. The Carnation Evaporated Milk just gives them a sweetness and great flavor that you can't get from just regular milk or even cream.

Is evaporated milk good in coffee? ›

On its own, evaporated milk is thick and creamy, making it an excellent replacement for half and half or creamer in your coffee or tea. You can also experiment with adding it to smoothies, milkshakes, soup, or pasta sauces, although you'll want to use less than you would with regular milk.

Is evaporated milk healthier than milk? ›

In terms of nutritional value, evaporated milk has a higher nutrient concentration than fresh cow's milk and, therefore, more calories. It has over twice as many grams of carbohydrates, protein, and fat – except for the reduced fat and fat-free varieties – and higher mineral content.

Is evaporated milk high in sugar? ›

Both condensed milk and evaporated milk are forms of concentrated milk in which approximately 60 percent of the water content has been removed, but that is where the similarities end. Sugar: Sweetened condensed milk is about 45 percent sugar, while evaporated milk is unsweetened.

What is the difference between evaporated milk and heavy whipping cream? ›

Evaporated milk, with its lower fat content and thinner consistency, provides a lighter alternative for dishes where richness is desired without overwhelming heaviness. Heavy cream, with its higher fat content and creamy consistency, lends itself perfectly to indulgent desserts, creamy sauces, and decadent soups.

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