Is It Safe To Drink Evaporated Milk Straight From The Can? (2024)

stephanie friedman

·2 min read

Is It Safe To Drink Evaporated Milk Straight From The Can? (1)

Evaporated milk can be a bit of a mystery. It sounds like an old-fashioned product — and, technically, it is since it was invented in 1885 — but evaporated milk can still have a time and a place in your pantry. You just have to understand what it is and how to use it.

Let's say you want to use the can for the same main purpose as regular milk: drinking it. Is it safe to consume the evaporated version straight out of its container? While a dairy product that can last for over a year without refrigeration may sound a little suspect, it is completely safe to drink it plain -- as long as it hasn't gone bad, of course. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says evaporated milk shouldn't go bad until at least six months after it's packaged.

Evaporated milk is simply regular milk that has been heated so that over half of its water content has evaporated. You end up with a condensed version of the dairy product (not to be confused with condensed milk, which is sweetened). Evaporated milk is sterilized and canned so it can last a long time on the shelf.

Read more: 26 Coffee Hacks You Need To Know For A Better Cup

How To Consume Evaporated Milk

Is It Safe To Drink Evaporated Milk Straight From The Can? (2)

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. If you want to replicate the texture of the regular drink, mix the canned stuffed with about 1½times as much water. You'll end up with a thinner beverage that you can pour into cereal bowls or smoothies or consume straight out of a glass. Just keep in mind that your drink might be a little sweeter than what you're used to since the evaporation process allows the sugars to caramelize a little.

Although you can transform your can into a somewhat normal glass of milk, feel free to also take advantage of its creamy consistency. For instance, it can be a great replacement for half and half, whole milk, or creamer in your morning coffee, and you can even add a dash to your smoothie or oatmeal without mixing it with water. The key here is typically to use less than you would with cow's milk since it's a much heavier product. But, if you have the urge to drink evaporated milk straight from the can, go right ahead; it's completely safe to do so.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.

Is It Safe To Drink Evaporated Milk Straight From The Can? (2024)

FAQs

Is It Safe To Drink Evaporated Milk Straight From The Can? ›

As for whether you can drink evaporated milk right out of the can, it's safe to do so. Because the only real difference is the water content, evaporated milk is pretty similar when it comes to nutritional value. However, the taste and texture of evaporated milk can be somewhat off-putting to many people.

Is it okay to drink a can of evaporated milk? ›

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.

Can you turn evaporated milk into drinkable 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 condensed milk by itself? ›

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.

Why does evaporated milk taste so good? ›

Taste and Texture

Due to the high content of milk fat and dry milk solids, evaporated milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk, says Leal. It also has light caramelized flavor and ivory color.

Why is evaporated milk healthy? ›

Evaporated milk nutrition

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. It's a source of calcium, vitamin D, and fatty acids.

How safe is evaporated milk? ›

Is it safe to consume the evaporated version straight out of its container? While a dairy product that can last for over a year without refrigeration may sound a little suspect, it is completely safe to drink it plain — as long as it hasn't gone bad, of course.

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 it safe to heat evaporated milk in the can? ›

What happens if you heat up canned evaporated milk? - Quora. If inside the can, it explodes. Evaporated milk and condensed milk, has over 70% solids, including sugars, fat, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. The water content is about 30%.

Can you make evaporated milk taste like milk? ›

Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated to removed 60% of the water content. The taste is changed a bit due to the process, but if you add an equal amount of water for each can of evaporated milk, you will have something that should substitute for milk in most cases.

Why would someone drink condensed milk? ›

Benefits of Condensed Milk for Health

Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein. These nutrients are necessary for healthy teeth and bones, a robust immune system, and a cardiovascular system.

Can we drink condensed milk directly? ›

Just keep in mind that your drink might be a little sweeter than what you're used to since the evaporation process allows the sugars to caramelize a little. Although you can transform your can into a somewhat normal glass of milk, feel free to also take advantage of its creamy consistency.

Is evaporated milk easier to digest? ›

In comparison to other dairy products such as cheese and butter, evaporated milk is less fatty and more easily digestible. It also has a higher protein content than many dairy products, making it a good source of protein for individuals with lactose intolerance.

What happens if you use too much evaporated milk? ›

Pies with too much evaporated milk formed blisters on top.

As I let the pies cool, I saw that they all had browned blisters on top of their plastic-looking skin. Though the interior of the filling had a great, creamy texture. The flavor was ever-so-slightly muted and had a hint of milkiness to it.

Can my 1 year old drink evaporated milk? ›

Evaporated milk is not suitable for babies. Skimmed milk varieties should not be given to children under 5 years. Condensed milk should not be used for babies or children. Goat's milk is not suitable for babies unless recommended by a paediatrician.

Is evaporated milk considered canned milk? ›

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both shelf-stable canned milks that are easily found at most grocery stores. The main difference is that condensed milk is very sweet, and evaporated milk is unsweetened.

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