What Is Sweetened Condensed Milk, Anyway? (2024)

DON’T DRINK THE MILK! Not because it’s bad. But because it’s not regular milk. It’s sweetened condensed milk. Which begs the question: What is sweetened condensed milk, anyway? It’s weirdly thick (thicccc) and sticky and kind of looks like Elmer’s glue. In short: It looks gross. But if you’re putting it in things, not just drinking it from the can, it’s not gross at all. Let’s break down the two words in the name and learn a bit about this dairy-based concoction.

Condensed: How do you condense milk? You don’t shove it into a small room (or a trash compactor, for all you Star Wars heads out there). And you don’t abbreviate it to MLK in the fashion of some millennial tech start-up. Milk is condensed by removing water via heat. You’ll probably recognize that process as evaporation. Yes! The part of the water cycle where liquid water turns to a gas that we learned about in fifth grade science! Condensed just means that the milk was cooked down in order to remove some of the water from it, the same way you would cook down a stock or a sauce to concentrate its flavor.

Sweetened: Yeah, you guessed it. There’s sugar added to sweetened condensed milk. The main purpose of adding sugar is to prolong the shelf life of condensed milk, which can sit on room temperature shelves for years. Sugar prevents microorganisms from growing in the milk and helps to thicken it even further—it's added after the milk has been boiled, reduced, and effectively pasteurized.

It’s also worth noting that there is unsweetened condensed milk, but that’s usually referred to as "evaporated milk." You shouldn’t substitute one for the other. They are apples and oranges, as the saying goes.

What Is Sweetened Condensed Milk, Anyway? (2024)

FAQs

What is sweet condensed milk? ›

Take sweetened condensed milk. On the surface, it's simply fresh milk, cooked to remove about 60% of its water content and sweetened with enough sugar to form a heavy syrup. Yet, along the way, Maillard browning creates this beautiful complexity, giving it a toasty, toffee-like character.

What is condensed milk briefly describe? ›

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.

What is the science behind sweetened condensed milk? ›

Sweetened condensed milk (SCM) is essentially a high-viscosity suspension of lactose crystals, fat globules, casein, and whey proteins in a saturated solution of lactose and sucrose. Its rheological behavior is complex. SCM exhibits age thickening, which occurs faster at higher storage temperatures.

What does condensed milk do to the body? ›

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.

What is a substitute for condensed milk? ›

Cream of coconut is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk, giving a hint of tropical flavor. It's dairy-free and can be substituted cup for cup. The thick consistency of cream of coconut closely resembles sweetened condensed milk, allowing for similar richness in many recipes.

Why is sweetened condensed milk so good? ›

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.

Can you make drinking milk out of sweetened condensed milk? ›

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation.

What was the original purpose of condensed milk? ›

Gail Borden Jr first condensed milk in 1853 in an attempt to create a milk product that was shelf stable. He opened 2 factories to produce his product, but both ultimately failed, and it wasn't until the 3rd factory opened in 1864 that his condensed milk, sold under the name Eagle Brand, caught on.

Can bacteria live in condensed milk? ›

(e) Pathogenic bacteria are nearly always absent. Aside from the true bacteria there too have been found in condensed milk organisms of the torula class and molds.

Can I drink condensed milk by itself? ›

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.

Is condensed milk good for constipation? ›

Drinking condensed milk will increase the risk of diarrhea or constipation in children.

Are condensed milk and milkmaid the same? ›

MILKMAID is a rich & smooth sweetened condensed milk - the dessert partner that helps you make a range of mouth-watering sweets at home - be it Kheer, ice creams or cakes. It's versatility lends itself well to both traditional & western desserts.

What is the difference between canned milk and sweetened condensed milk? ›

Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated so that about 60% of the water evaporates. It is then canned and can be used as you would half-and-half, since it is extra creamy! Condensed milk is made in a similar way, but sugar is added to it so that about 45% of its content is sugar.

Can you drink sweetened condensed milk? ›

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.

Is sweetened condensed milk same as creamer? ›

The difference is that sweetened condensed milk is made without adding other ingredients. Meanwhile, sweetened thick creamer is added with vegetable fat. So, sweetened condensed milk definitely contains milk in it, while sweetened condensed creamer also contains milk but it contains less than sweetened condensed milk.

Can you turn evaporated milk into sweetened condensed milk? ›

Substitutions. While we don't recommend substituting condensed milk for evaporated milk or vice versa, you can make your own condensed milk when you're in a pinch. Simply heat together 1½ cups of sugar and one can of evaporated milk until the sugar has fully dissolved.

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