Evaporated Milk

A type of milk that is unpasteurized whole milk condensed by evaporating 50 to 60 percent of the water content in the milk. Unlike condensed milk which begins with pasteurized milk and is not heat processed, evaporated milk is sterilized through heat treatment and a vacuum process, making it more concentrated than whole milk. In this form, the milk will contain a higher fat and protein content that is twice the amount normally found in whole milk. Evaporated milk is processed into whole, lowfat or skim varieties, with each varying in the amount of fat contained in the product. The whole milk variety will contain approximately 8% fat, while the lowfat version will have approximately 4% and the skim milk will contain only a 1/2%.

Evaporated milk is quite versatile allowing it to be altered when preparing recipes or making food substitutions. Canned evaporated milk can be added to an equal quantity of water to produce whole milk. Since it is the water that has been removed from the milk, evaporated milk can be reconstituted by adding an equal amount of water to the evaporated milk if necessary for a recipe. However, if a recipe requires evaporated milk, do not substitute milk or condensed milk, since the recipe has typically been developed with ingredients to support the use of the evaporated milk.

Evaporated milk is used often for many different food dishes and desserts, such as custards, to add a rich creamy texture or flavor. It can also be used to make whipping cream if it is first lightly frozen and then whipped. Prior to opening, evaporated milk can be stored for 5 to 7 months at room temperature. After opening, keep the milk refrigerated in an air tight container and use within several days.