Milky May Q & A:
Is there a difference between the instant powdered milk from the store and the powdered dry milk from LDS home storage centers? Yes. There is a difference in recipe amounts, and ease of use. If a recipe calls for 1 cup of powdered dry milk, if using instant the amount will need to be doubled to 2 cups. Or vise versa if a recipe calls for 1 cup of instant powdered milk, use only 1/2 c regular dry milk. Instant dry milk mixes up quicker and easier than regular dry milk.
What is the storage life of dry milk, both instant and regular? When stored in cool or cold dark places and sealed in mylar bags or #10 cans (or other container that limits light, air and moisture), both instant and non-instant dry milk store up to 20-25 years and still sustain life, but for best taste & nutritional value use within 3-7 years. Once opened, if still stored in a cool/cold place they can store for up to 2 years. If stored in higher temps and humidity whether sealed or opened, the storage life drops dramatically (even as low as 3 months).
How much milk does one #10 can of dry milk powder make? A #10 can of dry milk from the LDS Home Storage Center can make between 4 and 5 1/2 gallons worth of milk. The difference comes from how much you can into a can and how much you are using to make a gallon of milk--more or less than the directions say. For the cans of dry milk I have canned at home, I measured and got 5 1/2 gallons worth of milk.
Can I use powdered milk in recipes that call for milk? Yes! You can either make the milk and have it ready or simply add the dry milk powder to the dry ingredients and the water to the liquid ingredients.
How can I make drinking milk made from dry milk taste better? Adding a little vanilla to the milk may help it taste better--I've done this multiple times and have liked the taste. I’ve also heard of people adding both vanilla and a little sugar. Some people also use more or less powdered milk than the directions say to get the taste they like--I like it when making 3 qt adding only 2 c of dry milk instead of the 2 1/4 it would normally call for. Another option is to mix it with store bought milk--in whatever proportions you like. Whatever you add or don’t add, chill the milk! Freshly made warm milk does NOT taste good.
How much should I store? The general guidelines suggest 16 lbs of dry milk powder per person per year. This is the equivalent to 1 cup of milk a day for that person. If pregnant, nursing or young child you will want to store more to meet the nutritional needs.
Are there any alternatives to dry milk? Yes. But, the downside to most of the milk alternatives, besides being expensive, is that they don’t have the storage life of regular dry milk, so you will need to be sure to rotate through it faster. But here are some options: soy milk powder, canned/liquid soy milk (I’ve seen some that is shelf stable until it is opened) or you could learn about how to store soy and making your own soy milk, evaporated goat milk.
What does dry milk look like? Instant dry milk looks more like little balls, while powdered dry milk is powder.
Left: instant powdered milk
Right: non-instant powdered milk
(lighting isn't very good, but pics show the difference in texture)
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