Can You Use Evaporated Milk in Coffee?
Have you ever had that morning where you can’t wait for that first sip of coffee, get it all brewed up, just to discover that you are out of creamer? You realize your whole morning is ruined.
Then you spot the evaporated milk and wonder, can you use evaporated milk in coffee? The simple answer is yes, you can use evaporated milk in coffee.
However, it is a different experience. Evaporated milk is a thicker, creamier consistency when compared to coffee creamer. I suggest you start with half of the amount you use for your regular creamer and then you can add to it until you get the consistency that you want.
It also is not sweet. If you want a sweet or flavored coffee, you will need to add in some sugar or flavorings to get it. So, is evaporated milk right for you? We give you all of the information you need so you can find out.
What is Evaporated Milk?
So, you are probably wondering…what is evaporated milk? Is it the same as condensed milk? No, the two are different. However, they do have some similarities which is why it can be confusing.
Both are concentrated forms of milk where approximately 60% of the water content has been removed. They feature the nearly identical thickness and consistency. However, condensed milk has sugar added to it to make it sweet. Which is why on most labels it reads sweetened condensed milk.
Evaporated milk does not contain any added sugar. Evaporated milk contains the same nutritional value as regular milk. It is just a condensed version that has less water content, so it takes up less space.
Once you add water to it, it is almost identical to milk. This makes it a great substitute for you to use. You can keep it in your pantry until you are ready to open and use it. Evaporated milk has a shelf life of 6 to 12 months.
Can you use evaporated milk in coffee?
There are many uses for evaporated milk when it comes to food and beverages. It is often used to create a thick, slightly sweet texture to a recipe. Many people add it to their coffee to make it creamy and help to soften the bitter taste that black coffee can have.
So, let’s talk about the pros and cons of using evaporated milk instead of creamer in your coffee. First, it creates that creamy texture you want without all of the added sugar that many coffee creamers contain.
It also has a long shelf life and doesn’t have to be refrigerated until you open it, so it is easy to store and take with you on the go. It’s the perfect option for your camping trips. The con is that once you open the can, it will only be good for about 4 days. Since you only need a little bit for your cup of coffee, you may not be able to use it all up in four days.
You will have to find some other ways to use it, so that it doesn’t get wasted. It is a good idea to find some other recipes that call for it and make some of those to use the rest of it up. You can add it to both desserts and savory dishes such as soups, sauces, and mashed potatoes.
So, which is better evaporated milk or coffee creamer. Let’s find out!
Evaporated Milk vs Coffee Creamer
You may be wondering what the differences are between evaporated milk and coffee creamer and which one is best for you. The first difference is that evaporated milk is a lot thicker, so you will want to use less of it. I suggest you use half the amount that you would for your regular coffee creamer. Then add a little at a time until you get the consistency that you like.
The next difference is that evaporated milk doesn’t contain any added sugar. If you like your coffee to taste sweet, then you will need to add sugar or another sweetener to your coffee. I would say if you use unsweetened creamer, then you may enjoy using evaporated milk instead. It is slightly sweeter without any sugar or added calories to it.
However, if you like your coffee flavored, then it may be harder to get that experience with evaporated milk. You can try to use different flavorings to it. However, it is much easier to just use a flavored coffee creamer instead.
The last difference is that many coffee creamers are dairy-free while evaporated milk is not. If you are lactose-intolerant, then you definitely want to stick with your preferred coffee creamer.
How to use Evaporated Milk in Coffee
It is a very simple and straightforward process to use evaporated milk in coffee. However, there are a few differences between evaporated milk and creamer, so you need to do it differently. Below are step-by-step instructions to help you get started.
1. Brew your favorite cup of coffee like you normally would. It doesn’t matter if you drink regular, decaf, or cold brew. You can add evaporated milk to any of them to make them richer and creamier in texture.
2. Add in the evaporated milk. As a tip, you should add half the amount that you would normally use when adding your regular creamer. Evaporated milk is thicker, so you don’t want to use as much. You can always add more, but you can’t take away.
3. Mix your coffee solution well, so that the evaporated milk is completely dissolved into the coffee. It shouldn’t take long to get the evaporated milk mixed in properly. If you are drinking cold brew, it is best to mix the evaporated milk as you add it in little by little. This will help it to dissolve and incorporate better into the cold coffee.
4. Taste the coffee to check the flavor and texture. You will want to taste the coffee after you mix in the evaporated milk to make sure that it is to your liking. You want to be sure that your coffee is the right consistency before you add anything else to it.
5. Add sugar/sweeteners and flavorings to your coffee. If you like your coffee to be flavored or sweet, then you will want to add that in. While evaporated milk is slightly sweet it’s not that same as a sugary, flavored creamer. You may also want to add ice if you are drinking cold brew.
6. Enjoy! Your coffee is ready for you to drink.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use evaporated milk as a substitute for regular milk?
Yes, you can use evaporated milk as a substitute for your regular milk. Evaporated milk is just a concentrated form of regular milk. Therefore, it is perfectly safe to use in your coffee. As well as other beverages and recipes. You can even use it for your cereal. Just mix it with an equal amount of water and, voila, you have milk ready to use.
Is evaporated milk the same as cream?
While evaporated milk and cream are similar, they are not the same. They are both processed form of whole milk. However, evaporated milk is used by removing approximately 60% of the water content.
Cream, on the other hand, only removes water from the upper layer. This makes the texture, consistency, and flavor profile different between the two.
Is it ok to drink evaporated milk?
The short answer is yes. However, it won’t taste the best drinking it as it is. You will want to add water to it in equal proportions first. This will make it the consistency of whole milk, so the experience will be much more enjoyable.
The nutritional value is the same as milk. However, evaporated milk does taste slightly sweeter than regular milk. It is not much of a difference though, so it shouldn’t bother you.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, evaporated milk is a great choice to use for your morning cup of joe. It is a great substitute for regular milk or creamer. However, there are some differences between them. You will have to decide which choice is the best one for you. I will say if you love sweet, flavored coffees then a flavored creamer is your best choice.
However, if you are trying to cut back on the sugar and calories of a creamer, then evaporated milk is a great option for you to use. This way you still get the rich and creamy coffee experience without the added sugar. Evaporated milk will smooth out the bitterness and add a hint of sweetness to your coffee.
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