Evaporated Milk vs Condensed Milk

Literally, there is no difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk. However, there becomes a significant difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk when sugar is used to sweeten the condensed milk. In normal culinary terms, sweetened condensed milk is always referred to as condensed milk and even most brands of condensed milk are sweetened. In the same manner, this article will also address sweetened condensed milk as condensed milk. When condensed milk is not sweetened, it is known as evaporated milk.

Evaporated milk is made in factories wherein a vacuum evaporated process removes almost 60% of water content present in normal or regular milk. This is then homogenized and then sterilized to provide longer shelf life. As per FDA standards, evaporated milk needs to have a minimum milk fat of 7.9% and minimum milk solids of 25.5%.

Condensed milk is also subject to the same process. It is vacuum evaporated to eliminate at least 60% of water content in the milk. While evaporated milk is homogenized post vacuum evaporation, sugar is added to condensed milk. Since sugar acts as an inhibitor for growth of any micro-organisms, the sterilization process of condensed milk is less rigorous than that of evaporated milk. As per FDA standards, condensed milk should contain a minimum of 8% milk fat, milk solids of minimum of 28% and should have a 40-45% minimum sugar content.

While government regulations ensure that vitamins like Vitamin A, Vitamin D and Vitamin C are added to evaporated milk, government standards demand that only Vitamin A be added to condensed milk.

Because of its concentrated nature, both evaporated milk and condensed milk are rich in calories. However, because of the added sugar content, condensed milk is far higher in terms of calories when compared to evaporated milk.

Both evaporated milk and condensed milk come in different versions like skimmed, whole milk or low-fat milk. A few brands of condensed milk also come in different flavors like chocolate.

Because of its huge sugar content, condensed milk and evaporated milk cannot be interchanged or substituted during the cooking process. Most people use condensed milk for desserts and beverages like the Vietnamese coffee. People also used condensed milk for a dessert called dulce de leche wherein condensed milk is caramelized heavily. On the other hand, evaporated milk is used as a substitute for regular milk in coffees and teas. It is also used in recipes like gravies, casseroles, soups and quiches to add a creamy taste and texture to the final dish.

Summary:
1.Evaporated milk is unsweetened condensed milk. Sweetened condensed milk, commonly known as condensed milk has a sugar content of 40-45%.
2.Evaporated milk is fortified with Vitamin A, D & C whereas condensed milk has added Vitamin A
3.Condensed milk is used for desserts while evaporated milk is used for savories.

ncG1vJloZrCvp2OxqrLFnqmeppOar6bA1p6cp2aemsFwu8GjnJysX5i8rrzAq6Csp56oerCyjJ%2BmqJxdnsGmudJom6Kelpq%2FprrCnmSbnaSssqa6jJ6tmqifp661scNmpKKkm2Kur7CMnKannJWjwKawjKagpaNf