When I sat down to write I Can’t Believe It’s Food Storage, I just knew I had to change people’s minds about powdered milk. Trust me, it’s better than you think.  Of all the foods that can be stored long term powdered milk probably gets the worst rap.  Most people think that it’s difficult to use and that it tastes bad.  but today’s powdered milk actually tastes much better than what you probably drank as a child.  Powdered milk is easy to use (it requires no special tools or cooking preparation), is an easy substitute in recipes calling for milk, and is less mess than fresh milk.  

MILK VS. MILK ALTERNATIVE

But before we go on its important to understand the difference between powdered milk (instant and non-instant) and a milk alternative drink.  The difference between powdered milk and a milk alternative is similar to the difference between orange juice and Tang: Orange juice is juice that has been extracted from an orange, while Tang is an orange-flavored drink.  Powdered milk contains nonfat dry milk, vitamin A palmitate, and vitamin D3.  Milk alternative drinks contain sweet dairy whey, nonfat dry milk solids, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, corn syrup solids, sodium casein ate, dipotassium phosphate, propylene glycol monosteraate, monoglycerides and diglycerides, lecithin, carrageenan, Vitamin A, and vitamin D.  A milk alternative is just that–an alternative drink that isn’t milk.  The main ingredient in milk alternatives is whey, a byproduct of the cheese making process.  Vitamins and minerals are added to ,make the drink more nutritious.  While a milk alternative still costs less than fresh. ilk, it lacks many of the health benefits of real milk.  Some people think that a milk alternative tastes better than powdered milk, but powdered milk has come a long way.  It’s just no the same powdered milk that was available fifteen or twenty years ago, and there are many ways to make it taste even better.

INSTANT VS. NON-INSTANT MILK

Instant and non-instant powdered milk are both made from nonfat milk.  Once mixed, there is no measurable difference in taste, texture, usability, or nutritional value.  The main difference is in the time and effort it takes to dissolve the powder in water for drinking.  Dry instant powdered milk is light and fluffy, and it dissolves in cold water with just a few stares with a spoon, so it can be served right away.  Dry non-instant milk is denser, must be dissolved in warm water, and requires more stirring.  It should be chilled before it is served.  Non-instant milk tastes up less space than instant milk, which is why the LDS Home Storage Center carries non-instant instead of instant.  (Think of it as the difference between popcorn kernels or already popped popcorn)

TIPS FOR COOKING WITH POWDERED MILK

1. DOWNLOAD THE CONVERSION CHART: Using (and sharing) this conversion chart will simplify the math for you, making it simple to use powdered milk in your cooking & baking. Download your copy by clicking HERE.
2. SAVE A DISH: You don’t need to mix the dry powdered milk and water before adding them to the other ingredients.  Use powdered milk in any recipe calling for milk by adding the dry powdered milk to the dry ingredients, and the necessary water to the wet ingredients.
3. SKIP A STEP: You don’t have to scald powdered milk.  Use powdered milk instead of scalded milk in any recipe calling for scalded milk, without scalding!

TIPS FOR MAKING POWDERED MILK DRINKABLE

1. Use it first in something where there are other flavors.  Try it in chocolate milk, in a milkshake, or on cereal.
2. Mix liquid powdered milk with equal amounts of whole or 2% fresh milk..  Mixing it with whole milk will create the equivalent of 2% milk, and mixing it with 2% milk will make the equivalent of 1%milk.
3. For better flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar to 1 gallon of powdered milk.
4. For easing mixing and storage of liquid powdered milk, use a 1-gallon jug.  The sterilite 1-gallon jug has a handle, a slim deign that fits in your refrigerator door, and a lid with a closable spout.

These tips and tricks were shown in a LIVE Instagram Meet up, if you missed it, you can watch it HERE in our Outsmart Dinner Facebook Group!

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