How To Tell If Your Canned Evaporated Milk Has Spoiled (2024)
allen foster
·2 min read
The difference between milk and evaporated milk is that the latter has been heated until the majority of its water — about 60% — has, fittingly enough, evaporated. While the term might make you think it's some kind of powdery substance, evaporated milk is a decadently rich and creamy ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of recipes. You can add it to restaurant-worthydips, sauces, soups, custards, desserts, and more. And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it.If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it.
Two years is a long time, so if you can't remember how long you've had your evaporated milk, be extra cautious so you can avoid using an expired can. Don't just open it and add it to a recipe without thinking about how long it's been on the shelf; if you do, you may ruin your entire mixture and have to start over.
Other Was To Tell If Your Evaporated Milk Has Gone Bad
The first and best way to determine the state of your evaporated milk is to check the bottom of the can prior to opening — that's where the "Best if used by" information is usually stamped. However, this shouldn't be your sole criterion, as evaporated milk doesn't just turn bad within a 24-hour window. Once you open the can, use your senses to determine if the milk is safe for consumption.
Besides looking inside the can to evaluate the milk's color, you can also give it a quick sniff test. If the smell is off, that's yet another sign the can has spoiled. Also, short of tasting it, you can stir the contents to make sure the milk is still smooth. If it's lumpy, it's time to toss.
One last tip: Remember that evaporated milk and condensed milk are not the same. While evaporated milk is white and smooth, condensed milk is yellow and thick. If you don't keep this in mind, you may throw away a can of perfectly good condensed milk because of its golden color.
Smell: Spoiled evaporated milk emits an off, sour, or even putrid odor. A fresh can should have a mild, sweet smell typical of dairy. Taste: Should the milk pass the smell test, a small sip must be taken to assess its flavor. Any sourness or an unpleasant aftertaste means the milk should be discarded.
Besides looking inside the can to evaluate the milk's color, you can also give it a quick sniff test. If the smell is off, that's yet another sign the can has spoiled. Also, short of tasting it, you can stir the contents to make sure the milk is still smooth. If it's lumpy, it's time to toss.
How do you know if evaporated milk is bad? Check the color and smell of the evaporated milk. If it has an off-putting odor or a strange color, it may be spoiled. Additionally, if there are any signs of mold or an unusual texture, it's best to discard it.
While evaporated milk is white and smooth, condensed milk is yellow and thick. If you don't keep this in mind, you may throw away a can of perfectly good condensed milk because of its golden color. Read the original article on Mashed.
The shelf life of canned evaporated milk varies according to both its added content and its proportion of fat. For the regular unsweetened product, a shelf life of 15 months may be expected before any noticeable destabilization occurs.
And while milk might only last a week in the refrigerator, unopened evaporated milk that is properly stored can last up to two years. But how can you tell when it's gone bad? In short, by looking at it. If your milk has turned dark yellow or brown, don't use it.
The evaporated milk must be stabilized and of medium viscosity with a uniform consistency and appearance. It must be smooth and free from fat or protein separation, lumps, clots, gel formation, coarse milk solids precipitate or sedimentation, and extraneous material.
However, once the printed expiration date has passed, one should exercise caution. While the product can often be safe to consume after this date, it is not guaranteed. Consuming expired evaporated milk can lead to a higher risk of foodborne illness, especially if the can shows signs of damage such as dents or rust.
Evaporated milk comes in three varieties based on the amount of fat: whole milk, low-fat and skim. The benefit of evaporated milk is shelf-life: canned milk can remain stable for up to two years for peak flavor, and maybe longer. If you open a can of evaporated milk and it is dark yellow or brown, don't use it.
Due to the high content of milk fat and dry milk solids, evaporated milk is thicker and creamier than regular milk, says Leal. It also has light caramelized flavor and ivory color.
This pantry staple is created by removing about 60% of the water from fresh milk, and then sealed in cans for storage and convenience. When unopened and stored in a cool, dry place, evaporated milk can last well beyond the date printed on the can, typically maintaining best quality for up to 18 to 24 months.
As for whether you can drink evaporated milk right out of the can, it's safe to do so. Because the only real difference is the water content, evaporated milk is pretty similar when it comes to nutritional value. However, the taste and texture of evaporated milk can be somewhat off-putting to many people.
What Does It Taste Like? Evaporated milk tastes like milk but with a thicker, less watery consistency. The process of heating the evaporated milk in the cans imparts a slightly sweet flavor to the milk and it's just a bit darker in color than ordinary milk. It has a similar viscosity to half-and-half.
While it can endure past the expiration date when unopened, it's not recommended to use sweetened condensed milk if it shows signs of spoilage such as an off smell, color change, or the presence of mold.
Does evaporated milk need to be refrigerated after opening? I use evaporated milk daily as my coffee creamer, as well as in cooking. It is “shelf-stable” as long as it is unopened. Once opened, you have about 5 days before it starts to go bad.
Fat separation is a continuous problem in the production, handling, and storage of evaporated milk. This defect becomes most objectionable during pro- longed quiescent storage at high temperatures.
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