What is condensed milk and how is it made?
Condensed milk, called sweetened condensed milk in US rules, is milk with part of its water removed and sugar added. The FDA standard says it must contain at least 28 percent milk solids and at least 8 percent milkfat, and the sweetener must be enough to prevent spoilage.
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In this article
What is condensed milk made of?
US federal rules (21 CFR 131.120) define sweetened condensed milk as a mixture of milk and safe and suitable nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners. Sugar is the usual sweetener, but the rule names the group, not one ingredient.
How is condensed milk made?
The FDA standard says the food is made by partial removal of water only. It is then pasteurized and may be homogenized. The sweetener is used in an amount sufficient to prevent spoilage, which is why the product keeps well and is very thick and sweet.
What does the law require?
| Item | Sweetened condensed milk | Evaporated milk |
|---|---|---|
| Total milk solids (minimum) | 28 percent by weight | 23 percent by weight |
| Milkfat (minimum) | 8 percent by weight | 6.5 percent by weight |
| Added sweetener | Yes, enough to prevent spoilage | Not part of the definition |
Source for both columns: 21 CFR 131.120 and 131.130.
Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk?
No. Both have water removed. Evaporated milk is heat processed to prevent spoilage, with no sweetener required in its definition. Sweetened condensed milk relies on added sweetener instead.
What we could not confirm
The rule gives no sugar percentage, no cooking temperature and no shelf life. We found no official source for those, so we do not state them. Check the can label for ingredients and the best-before date.
People also ask
What is condensed milk made of?
US rules define sweetened condensed milk as milk plus safe and suitable nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners, with part of the water removed.
How is condensed milk made?
Water is partly removed from milk, sweetener is added in an amount sufficient to prevent spoilage, and the product is pasteurized and may be homogenized (21 CFR 131.120).
Is condensed milk made from cow's milk?
The US standard says milk and does not name the animal in the part we read. Commercial cans are normally cow's milk, but check the label.
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