Sweetened Condensed Milk

Photo: flickr user House Of Sims

About

Condensed milk is a mixture of whole milk and 40%% sugar, heated until 60%% of the water evaporates, creating a sticky, sweet mixture. Unsweetened condensed milk is referred to as evaporated milk.

Unopened, a can will keep for 6 months. Once opened, 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Substitutions: 1/3 cup evaporated fat-free milk + 3/4 cup sugar + 2 tbsp butter or margarine & heat all until dissolved = 1 cup low-fat sweetened condensed milk combine 1 cup + 2 tbsp nonfat dry milk powder + 1/2 cup warm water, then add 3/4 cup sugar = 1 cup low-fat sweetened condensed milk

Information

Other names: Condensed Milk

Translations: Saldināts iebiezinātais piens, Saldinto sutirštinto pieno, Lapte condensat îndulcit, Zaslađeno kondenzirano mlijeko, Sữa đặc có đường, Słodzone mleko skondensowane, Gecondenseerde melk met suiker, मीठा संघनित दूध, Leite condensado, Сгущенное молоко с сахаром, Ζαχαρούχου συμπυκνωμένου γάλακτος, المحلاة الحليب المكثف, 가당 농축 우유, Slazené kondenzované mléko, Susu kental manis, Sweetened letse-kondensada, 甜炼乳, La llet condensada, Sladkano zgoščeno mleko, Sladené kondenzované mlieko, Latte condensato dolcificato, חלב מרוכז ממותק, Sötad kondenserad mjölk, Заслађеног кондензованог млека, 加糖練乳, Le lait concentré sucré, Gezuckerte Kondensmilch, Sødet kondenseret mælk, Sukret kondensert melk, La leche condensada, Згущене молоко з цукром, Makeutettu kondensoitu maito, Подсладено кондензирано мляко

Physical Description

The two terms, condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk, have become synonymous; though there have been unsweetened condensed milk products, today these are uncommon.

Colors: white to cream

Tasting Notes

Flavors: sour

Mouthfeel: Thick, Sweet, Contrived

Food complements: Chocolate, Coconut, Lime, Graham crackers

Wine complements: Red wine, Dry white wine, Port

Beverage complements: Milk, Coffee

Substitutes: Evaporated milk, Cream and sugar

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Choosing: Condensed milk thickens and darkens as it ages, and the sugar crystals may become grainy, which can be unpleasant. It is likely that condensed milk six months past the "best before" date is safe to use, but if you have any doubts after opening the can or if it just looks too sludge-like, we would move on to a more recent vintage.

Buying: Can be purchased at a local supermarket.

Preparation and Use

Raw milk is clarified and standardized, and then is heated to 85-90°C for several seconds. This heating destroys some microorganisms, decreases fat separation and inhibits oxidation. Some water is evaporated from the milk and sugar is added to approximately 45%. This sugar is what extends the shelf life of sweetened condensed milk. Sucrose increases the liquid's osmotic pressure, which prevents microorganism growth. The sweetened evaporated milk is cooled and lactose crystallization is induced

Cleaning: Not applicable

Conserving and Storing

It appears to us that most manufacturers give it a two-year shelf life — that is, the "best before" date is about two years from the time it hits the grocery shelves.

Social/Political

The U.S. government ordered huge amounts of it as a field ration for Union soldiers during the American Civil War. The first World War regenerated interest in, and a market for, condensed milk, primarily due to its storage and transportation benefits. In the U.S., the higher price for raw milk paid by condenseries created significant problems for the cheese industry.Condensed milk is used in recipes for the popular Brazilian candy brigadeiro in which condensed milk is the main ingredient (the most famous condensed milk brand in Brazil is Moça

History: Before this development milk could only be kept fresh for a short while and was only available in the immediate vicinity of a cow.By 1912, stocks of condensed milk were large and the price dropped. Many condenseries went out of business.