The Difference Between Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk
When it comes to baking, there are many different types of milk products that can be used in various recipes. However, two of the most popular milk varieties often used in baking are condensed milk and evaporated milk. While these two are similar in many ways, there are some key differences between the two. This article will cover the differences between condensed milk and evaporated milk.
What is Condensed Milk?
Condensed milk is made by removing water from regular milk through a heating and reduction process. Sugar is then added to the milk, resulting in a thick, sweet and sticky product. The milk is cooked down until almost 60% of its water content is removed, resulting in its thick and gooey texture.
It is commonly used as a base for making caramel or fudge, and is also great as a sweetener in coffee or tea. Although it may be tempting to use it as a substitute for regular milk, it is not recommended due to its high sugar content.
What is Evaporated Milk?
Evaporated milk is similar to condensed milk in that both are made by evaporating regular milk to remove water content. However, unlike condensed milk, evaporated milk is not sweetened with sugar.
This means that evaporated milk has a thinner consistency than condensed milk, and its flavor is neutral in comparison. It is often used as a substitute for regular milk in recipes, as it has a creamy and rich flavor. It is also great in coffee or tea, and works well as a substitute for cream.
The Main Differences Between Condensed Milk and Evaporated Milk
The main difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk is that condensed milk is sweetened with sugar, while evaporated milk is not. This means that evaporated milk has a neutral flavor, while condensed milk has a rich, sweet and sticky taste.
Additionally, condensed milk has a thicker consistency than evaporated milk due to its high sugar content. Evaporated milk has a thinner consistency, making it more versatile as a substitute for regular milk in recipes.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, while both condensed milk and evaporated milk are made by removing water content from regular milk, the main difference lies in the addition of sugar. Condensed milk has a sweet, sticky and thick consistency due to its high sugar content, while evaporated milk has a thinner consistency and neutral flavor. It is important to understand the differences between the two when selecting which product to use in a recipe.
Table difference between condensed milk and evaporated milk
| Condensed Milk | Evaporated Milk |
|---|---|
| Condensed milk has added sugar which makes it sweeter and thicker in consistency. | Evaporated milk is unsweetened and has a lighter consistency compared to condensed milk. |
| It is often used as a sweetener for desserts and baked goods | It is commonly used as a substitute for cream to reduce fat content in recipes. |
| It has a longer shelf life compared to evaporated milk. | It can be stored for a longer time compared to fresh milk but has a shorter shelf life compared to condensed milk. |
| It is made by removing most of the water from fresh milk through a slow heating process. | It is made by removing most of the water from fresh milk through a process of heating. |