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.
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. Always check the expiration date as well.
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.
Both evaporated and condensed milk are shelf-stable for more than a year, as long as the cans are unopened and stored in a cool, dark place. If the milk is yellow or dark brown, has a putrid smell, or has a curdled texture, the milk has soured and should not be used.
If the color is dark or obviously yellow, it can be a sign it's gone bad. Texture: Condensed milk is thicker than regular milk, but should still be pourable. If the condensed milk is so solid that you can't pour it, it's time to replace it. Smell: Condensed milk should smell pleasantly sweet.
How do you store evaporated milk after opening? Once opened, evporated milk should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for the above charted time, regardless of the best-by date. The can should not be refrigerated, so be sure to place your evaporated milk into an airtight container.
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.
An off odor is a clear sign of spoilage; evaporated milk should have a mildly sweet smell, not a sour or unpleasant one. The taste should not be altered; if the milk tastes sour or distinctly different from its original flavor, it should not be used.
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.
Spoiled milk will produce a sour smell as the bacteria produce lactic acid. The smell will intensify after the milk becomes unsafe for consumption. A yellowy color, crusts around the edges, and lumps in the milk also indicate that it is off.
Can the color of the sweetened condensed milk vary? Yes, it should have an off-white color. However, as the product ages it may darken in color and thicken. As long as the Best If Used By date is still current, the product can still be used.
Unopened containers of evaporated milk generally last for 12 to 18 months past the date of manufacture when stored in a cool, dry pantry. The best-by date stamped on the can is a helpful indicator of peak quality but is not an absolute expiration date.
Between the heating process and addition of sugar, sweetened condensed milk is thick, sweet, and dense, according to Canonne. It also has a light ivory tinge that may look more noticeable than the color of evaporated milk.
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.
In a pinch, if you don't have any milk for a recipe, you can use evaporated milk as a substitute. After grabbing the canned evaporated milk from the pantry give it a good shake, open it up, and add one and a half cans of water to each can of evaporated milk to get it back to milk consistency for the recipe.
Texture: Evaporated milk should be smooth. If it's thick, lumpy, or separated, it should be discarded. Taste: After passing the visual and smell test, a small taste can confirm if it's spoiled—any off taste means the milk should not be used.
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.
Spoiled milk may be lumpy, thick, and/or slightly yellow. Odor: Sour milk smells, well, sour. Fresh milk has barely any odor — and what odor it does have is not unpleasant. When you smell spoiled milk, you'll definitely know something is off.
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