With its indulgently creamy texture and absence of added sweetness, evaporated milk is suitable for a wide range of both sweet and savory dishes. Its ability to enhance thickness and reduce fat content makes it a popular choice for preparing creams, soups, sauces, and dressings. It finds a special place in the hearts of bakers and dessert enthusiasts, as it is frequently used in recipes such as tres leches, one of my favorite desserts!
Evaporated milk undergoes a process where approximately 60% of its water content is removed, resulting in a more concentrated form than regular milk. The homogenization step ensures that the milk’s fat is evenly distributed throughout, while sterilization prevents the growth of harmful microorganisms. This condensed milk is then packaged in cans. So, you do not have to worry as much about storing it properly as with fresh milk. Though, there are some best practices you should follow!
Side note: Evaporated milk still contains lactose and is not suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals. You can try an alternative milk and look for one that is plant-based.
How To Store Evaporated Milk?
Evaporated milk is conveniently packaged in sturdy tin cans, offering long-lasting storage at room temperature without spoiling. After opening, refrigerate any unused portion. The tin can safeguards the milk from light, making temperature fluctuations the main risk factor for spoilage.
While the pantry is a popular choice for storing unopened cans of evaporated milk, a kitchen cupboard is equally suitable. Refrigerating unopened cans doesn’t notably enhance milk quality. For opened evaporated milk, make sure it is sealed tightly and refrigerated.
Since tin cans are challenging to firmly seal, transferring the milk to an airtight plastic container is ideal. While using the old plastic with a rubber band can serve as a makeshift seal, a resealable container is far more practical and effective!
Can You Freeze Evaporated Milk?
Yes, you can freeze evaporated milk, but it causes separation and decreases the quality of the product. Even with the texture change, it generally suffices for cooking and baking purposes.
Stirring and whipping might help a little to restore its texture, but it doesn’t fully fix it. If you have leftover evaporated milk that would otherwise go to waste, try freezing it and observe how it performs in your next cooked or baked recipe. The results are likely to be alright, although not comparable to freshly opened evaporated milk.
How To Defrost Evaporated Milk?
To defrost frozen evaporated milk, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, vigorously whisk, shake, or stir the milk.
How Long Does Evaporated Milk Last?
Unopened evaporated milk typically remains fresh for a few months after the labeled date. Once opened, it should be consumed within a narrow window of 3 to 5 days. Various producers provide different recommendations; for instance, PET Milk suggests using their product within 2 to 3 days, while Carnation states it can last up to 5 days.
The date on the label acts as a “best-by” date, offering a minimum duration for the milk to retain its freshness. However, being canned, evaporated milk usually remains usable beyond that date.
In general, it is advisable to consume all of the milk or freeze any leftovers within five days.
How To Know When Evaporated Milk Is Rancid?
Spoiled evaporated milk exhibits common indicators: altered color, clumps, peculiar or sour odor, or an unpleasant taste. If there is any doubt about the liquid’s quality, it is advisable to discard it.
Likewise, if you have stored leftover evaporated milk for over a week, it is best to dispose of it, even if the dairy product appears in good condition. Initial signs of spoilage are not easily detectable, so it is preferable to err on the side of caution.
Evaporated milk is typically white. If yours appears yellow, it is either off or it is actually sweetened condensed milk. While these two are similar, they are certainly not identical.
Lastly, the formation of a film, often called “milk skin,” on the surface of evaporated milk does not indicate spoilage. This film commonly occurs when the can is opened, and the remaining milk is stored in a non-airtight container. The milk film is a natural consequence of fat separation, and the simple solution is to gently heat the milk while stirring or mixing it to restore its consistency.
FAQs
Evaporated milk has a creamy color and a slightly darker hue compared to regular milk.
No, it is not. If the milk appears yellow, it is probably sweetened condensed milk formed by adding sugar to evaporated milk, giving it a distinct taste and color. That, or it is rancid!
No. If your evaporated milk develops lumps, it indicates spoilage and should be discarded.
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