What is the difference between condensed milk vs sweetened condensed milk? Is there a need for comparison, or are people just making things up?
Condensed and sweetened condensed have been in unwritten competition for a long time. There are several unanswered or silent cheap shots about the difference between these two types of milk, what they are best used for, and whether they are similar.
You should read this article to find out the answers to this age-old question. It will simplify the entire process of condensed and sweetened condensed milk in layman’s terms.
SEE: Which Is A Better Option Between Heavy Cream And Condensed Milk?
What is condensed milk?
Condensed milk is a dairy product with added value created by partially evaporating the water from cow milk.
Compared to regular milk, condensed milk has a longer shelf life and less moisture. It is frequently used as a dessert topping, in sweet and savory dishes, fudge, candies, waffles, and baked goods, as well as a drink mixer for coffee, tea, and other beverages.
This type of milk offers the following advantages in food and baked goods: sweetness, moistness, porosity, highly desired flavor, and crust color.
What is sweetened condensed milk?
This condensed milk has sugar added, making it not too dissimilar from regular condensed milk. Sugar is primarily used to extend the shelf life of milk, which can remain on shelves at room temperature for lengthy periods.
After the dairy has been heated up, reduced, and effectively pasteurized, sugar is added to help thicken it even more and stop microorganism growth.
SEE: Is Sweetened Condensed Milk Gluten-Free?
Condensed milk vs sweetened condensed milk
The terms sweetened condensed milk and condensed milk can both be used interchangeably. This storage product is concentrated milk with a 60% reduction in water content.
Sugar is then added before the product is canned. Sugar makes up 40 to 45 % of condensed milk. It has a caramel color, is thick and rich, and tastes incredibly sweet.
Can you use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk for fudge?
No, you cannot. Condensed milk cannot be substituted in fudge for evaporated milk. In many cases, evaporated milk can be used in place of regular milk, but it won’t have the same rich, silky flavor that condensed milk does.
SEE: How To Make Milk From Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk vs condensed milk
Many people mistake these two milk types for the same and, as a result, mix them up in recipes. What you didn’t realize is that they are not the same and will not necessarily perform the same function in your baked goods.
Evaporated milk
To concentrate the nutrients, 60 percent of the water in fresh milk is removed during the production of evaporated milk with no sugar added.
The vaporized milk is cooled, bundled, and sterilized at 240-245 degrees Fahrenheit (115-118 degrees Celsius) after the water has been removed.
The result is canned milk, which is lighter and takes up less storage space than unprocessed milk. Without refrigeration, it can be stored on shelves for months to years.
This helps make this milk very appealing in regions where a cooling system is not readily available, where milk is not produced, and where milk is not readily available.
Evaporated milk offers the same nutritional benefits as fresh milk, but its color is noticeably darker. It is a preferred part of baked products and desserts because of its concentrated flavor.
Condensed milk
Condensed milk has had 60 percent of its water removed, like evaporated milk, but sugar has been added.
It becomes extremely thick and calorie-dense when sugar is added. Milk does not need to be refrigerated and, like evaporated milk, can be stored unopened for years.
Sweetened condensed filled milk vs sweetened condensed milk
Conversely, filled milk is evaporated milk that has soy oil in place of the butterfat. Condensed milk that has been sugar-sweetened and had about 60% of its water removed receives additional milk.
SEE: Which Is Better Between Evaporated Milk and Heavy Cream?
Sweetened condensed milk vs sweetened condensed coconut milk
In place of sweetened condensed milk, sweetened condensed coconut milk works well and adds a hint of tropical flavor. It can be used as a substitute and is dairy-free.
Since cream of coconut has a thick consistency like sweetened condensed milk, many recipes can use it to achieve a similar level of richness.
Sweetened condensed milk vs fat-free sweetened condensed milk
When an acid such as lime juice is added to fat-free sweetened condensed milk, it thickens. As a result, it works well in fillings and other pies. While sweetened condensed milk would do its usual job of adding texture and lushness to food.
SEE: Does Sweetened Condensed Milk Go Bad?
How can you tell if condensed milk is bad?
Get rid of condensed milk if it starts to smell bad, change color, or grow mold. The same applies if the can is rusted, bulging, or has noticeable dents. All of these show that the milk is bad and needs to be thrown out.
Is it okay to use condensed milk?
Yes, it is. Contrarily, condensed milk is high in calories and unsuitable for those who are lactose intolerant or allergic to the proteins found in cow’s milk.
Some people may not like its sweet flavor, and it is not a good substitute for regular milk in recipes. As a result, if this describes you, you ought to steer clear of condensed milk.
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FAQs
Is all condensed milk sweetened?
They are all technically sweetened. This is due to the 40–45 percent sugar content of condensed milk.
Even though the can specifies sweetened condensed milk, you can infer that all condensed milk is sweet since evaporated milk lacks sweetness.
Is condensed milk good for the body?
Like milk, condensed milk is high in protein, riboflavin, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, and phosphorus.
These vitamins and minerals are essential for cardiac health, physically active bones and teeth, and a robust immune system.
How much sugar do you add to evaporated milk to make condensed milk?
Condensed milk is created by combining one 12-oz can of evaporated milk with 1.5 cups of granulated sugar in a saucepan.
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Does condensed coconut milk taste like condensed milk?
It tastes like condensed milk with a hint of coconut. It is, however, an acceptable replacement for condensed milk.
Is there condensed milk that hasn’t been sweetened?
Not at all, no. There is no such thing as unsweetened condensed milk, which is just evaporated milk; condensed milk is always sweetened evaporated milk.
Conclusion
You must have deduced by now that condensed milk and sweetened condensed milk have no discrepancies, but only similarities. This is because they are equivalent.
The title sweetened does not imply that it is 50% tastier than condensed. This is just a generic name that many people use to describe both.
If you get condensed milk that is not sweetened, you should know that you have evaporated milk in your hands because it is sugar-free.
They are also as healthy in mineral elements as normal milk and are suitable for baking and pastries.
Thanks for reading.
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