There are a lot of things that you may not know about evaporated milk. I will share with you how long it lasts in the fridge, its benefits, its shelf life under proper storage conditions, and why this product is so versatile.
What is evaporated milk?
During the process of making evaporated milk, half of the water content in the milk is removed. This makes it richer, creamier and it also has more calcium and protein per cup.
How is evaporated milk made?
Evaporated milk usually comes in cans or small cardboard boxes. Through a heating process, 50-60% of the water content is removed from the milk.
How long does evaporated milk last?
Evaporated milk can typically last in the pantry for up to a year when stored properly.
Since there is no water in evaporated milk to help degrade it, the main factor that will affect its quality is how it is stored.
This type of milk should be placed in a cool, dark cabinet or pantry to prevent light and heat.
Evaporated milk nutritional information
Let’s see evaporated milk’s nutritional value.
One cup of whole evaporated milk contains 338 calories, 19 g fat content, 17 g of protein, and 25 g total carbohydrates.
Evaporated milk also contains many vitamins and minerals.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Benefits of evaporated milk. Why should you use it?
Evaporated milk is an excellent source of nutrients and vitamins A and D and also provides calcium.
It’s a rich source of protein and may be used to replace milk or cream when cooking. It’s also used to fortify cereals.
Much of this milk’s superior quality comes from the way it is processed. The process gives evaporated milk its creamy texture and fresh taste, making it much tastier than any other run-of-the-mill beverage.
Evaporated milk is pure, natural dairy with all the water removed to give it extended shelf life.
All the while, all its natural goodness remains intact. It’s a free-flowing concentrate that mixes easily to create delicious soups, sauces, and other beverages!
In terms of taste, evaporated milk has a little more intense flavor than regular milk does.
It can be found at any grocery store, your local grocery store, or even purchased online.
How to store and prepare evaporated milk
The evaporated milk lasts as long as the expiry date that is stamped on it.
You can store the unopened can, like all canned food, at room temperature, in a dry area, until its expiration date.
Unopened evaporated milk generally has a long shelf life.
Suppose you store the evaporated milk in a dry, cool place (like the kitchen cabinet) and keep it sealed tightly.
In that case, there’s no need to worry about spoilage because milk doesn’t go bad until after its expiration date.
All you have to do when it comes time to use your evaporated milk is open the can or container.
After opening the container, the perfect place to store the remaining evaporated milk is in the refrigerator, in an airtight plastic container.
It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can freeze evaporated milk, although manufacturers don’t recommend it because it can change its taste, texture, and consistency.
But, if you want to do it, the best option is to freeze it in small portions because this will make it easier for you to use it.
You can freeze it in small plastic bags, in an airtight container, or an ice cube tray.
If you freeze it in an airtight container, leave some space in the container since the liquids expand when they freeze.
If you do it in plastic bags, remove the excess air before putting them in the freezer.
If you opt for freezing the evaporated milk in an ice cube tray, you can remove it when it is frozen and transfer it to plastic bags.
You must not freeze the evaporated milk in the closed can. Remember that liquids expand when they freeze.
Evaporated milk can go bad?
That is a common question. Yes. Evaporated milk can go bad, and often has a sour smell.
When should you throw out the evaporated milk?
TThe dates on the back of the can, usually found in small print, indicate the last date a company will certify the best quality of the product.
Do not consume the evaporated milk if it shows signs of spoilage.
Evaporated milk spoiled will taste sour; a foul smell, and be chunky or clumpy like cottage cheese.
If it smells like ammonia, don’t use it to avoid food poisoning.
Heat, light, and moisture can speed up spoilage, so after opening, keep evaporated milk in the refrigerator to help prevent this from happening.
How to use evaporated milk?
Evaporated milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream in many recipes. It can be used as a substitute for regular fresh milk in recipes too.
You can use it to prepare savory or sweet recipes, such as cakes, muffins, pancakes, waffles, and quick bread.
In most recipes, evaporated milk can be used interchangeably with fresh cream or whole milk.
If you love making pumpkin pie, you can use both evaporated and condensed milk, although the result may vary slightly.
You will have a sweeter and creamier pie if you prepare the pumpkin pie with sweetened condensed milk.
On the other hand, if you prepare it with evaporated milk, you will get a less sweet and lighter pie.
How to reconstitute evaporated milk
You can reconstitute evaporated milk so that it has a consistency similar to normal milk.
For that, you can add an equal amount of water as evaporated milk in a 1: 1 ratio.
Want to learn more about keeping your favorite foods fresh?
- How to freeze soup: The step by step guide
- How to freeze avocados: Everything you need to know
- How to freeze strawberries to keep them fresh longer