It may be our #1 pantry staple, but we still don’t know what condensed milk actually is. Quite embarrassing, really. So, we took matters into our own hands and did some investigating: What even is the luscious, sweet, thick canned ingredient? Can you make it at home? What do you use it for?
How is condensed milk made?
So, how does ordinary milk transform into something so thick, luscious and sweet? Taste.com.au’s Digital Food Director, Amira Georgy, said: “It’s made of full-cream cow’s milk that has been heated to remove some of the water content and, as the name suggests, sugar is added to the reduced milk in order to prolong its shelf life and to give it a thicker consistency.”
What is the difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk?
In order to make condensed milk, it actually has to first become evaporated milk. The difference is that evaporated milk is the unsweetened version of condensed milk. Otherwise, both are shelf-stable milk products which have been heated until 60% of the water content has evaporated.
What is condensed milk used for?
Where to even begin? There’s always a can of condensed milk in the Taste Test Kitchen pantry, and for a very good reason. Most commonly known as an ingredient in desserts like rocky road, our beloved condensed milk Anzac slab (only 5 ingredients required btw), and even an easy soft serve.
Amira also swears by having a can on hand at all times: “I always keep a can of condensed milk in the pantry as I love using it to whip up things like 3-ingredient cheesecakes, tea cakes, and chocolate truffles.” It’s seriously a baking life-saver.
But what if we told you that condensed milk works in savoury dishes too? We know, it’s hard to get your head around the fact that something so decadent and sweet can be used in tonight’s dinner. But our condensed milk chicken curry will prove otherwise.
Condensed milk chicken curry? Yes, it exists and yes, it works
Using massaman paste, Amira created a sweet, creamy, yet spicy and savoury chicken curry starring the one and only… condensed milk. Although it might seem odd, it creates the perfect balance of flavours and textures, making it an on-repeat dinner for many Aussies.
She said: “While sweetened condensed milk is often used in sweet recipes, such as caramel, truffles and slices, I actually love adding it to curries to add a hint of sweetness. Because sweetened condensed milk is already thick, when you add it to curries, it thickens the sauce further and adds almost a caramel-like flavour.”
Can you make condensed milk at home?
You can! Although it won’t be as easy as heading to the Coles canned food aisle, condensed milk can definitely be made at home with a few nifty hacks. We created a do-it-yourself version made of butter, milk powder, caster sugar and water, and it’s saved us on the few occasions where we realised we didn’t have a can in our pantry. You can find the full recipe here.
We turned condensed milk into mayonnaise (and yes, it actually works)
ICYMI, you can make mayonnaise out of condensed milk
It was only in 2020 we realised that many Aussies make mayo at home, with one unexpected ingredient… condensed milk. Combining mustard and vinegar with condensed milk apparently makes what some say is “the only mayo to have”. You can find out more about this unconventional condiment creation here.
Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.
Condensed milk is cow's milk from which water has been removed (roughly 60% of it). It is most often found with sugar added, in the form of sweetened condensed milk, to the extent that the terms "condensed milk" and "sweetened condensed milk" are often used interchangeably today.
Due to the sugar addition, condensed milk is more durable than evaporated milk. The benefits of regular milk are boosted in condensed milk since it contains more sugar. Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein.
There could be gas, cramps, and stomach discomfort. Because condensed milk is more concentrated than the same volume of regular milk, it contains more lactose. Sweetened condensed milk includes a lot of calories, but it also has a lot of saturated fat, which is dangerous for people with diabetes and heart issues.
As concentrated milk products, whole, reduced fat, and fat-free varieties of evaporated milk have a higher nutrient content than fresh cow's milk. Sweetened condensed milk has an even higher calorie concentration.
If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, you can make your own using evaporated milk and sugar, or you can bring 3/4 cup of white sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 1/8 cups of dry powdered milk to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes.
Additionally, the increased demand for the product has driven up its price, as manufacturers are unable to keep up with the demand. This has led to a rise in the cost of the product, which has further limited its availability.
Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.
Using sweetened condensed milk to boost calorie content may be more beneficial than using sugar alone since the product also provides extra protein, fat and some bone-healthy minerals like calcium and phosphorus. You can store sweetened condensed milk for a long time without refrigeration.
The thick syrup contributes both the sweetness of sugar and the benefits of milk without adding too much liquid since condensing milk removes moisture and concentrates the natural sugars. These sugars then take on toasty notes as they warm up and bake in the dessert.
Sure enough, Carnation condensed milk comes with a warning: "Do not boil unopened can as bursting may occur." According to Serious Eats, when the boiling water evaporates, leaving the metal exposed, the can may warp, split, or yes, explode.
Like milk, condensed milk is a good source of calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus and protein. These nutrients are necessary for strong bones and teeth, a robust immune system and a healthy cardiovascular system.
Dietitians advise eating condensed milk not as an independent product, but in combination with other products, such as pancakes or fruit, and drink it with unsweetened tea.
MILKMAID is rich and creamy, sweetened condensed milk - the dessert partner that helps you make a range of mouth-watering sweets at home - be it payasam, ice creams, cakes and much more. Made with high-quality milk, your favourite MILKMAID has been delighting generations for over 100 years!
Instead of whole milk or half-and-half, use 1% or skim milk or evaporated skim milk. Instead of sour cream, try low-fat or nonfat plain yogurt, buttermilk, or even low-fat cottage cheese (you may need to blend it first to make it smooth.)
Condensed milk is evaporated milk that typically has sweetener added, so much so that the terms 'condensed milk' and 'sweetened condensed milk' are used interchangeably. Sugar is added before canning; condensed milk is very sweet and contains about 40 to 45 percent sugar.
Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.
Condensed milk is evaporated milk that has been sweetened with sugar. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream in most recipes, whereas condensed milk is best reserved for desserts.
Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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