Monday we will add milk to our General Store so let's take a minute to talk milk.
Milk provides nine essential nutrients: protein, phosphorus, calcium, vitamins A and D as well as B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B12 (cobalamin)
Yogurt provides seven essential nutrients: protein, phosphorus, calcium, zinc, B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid) and B12 (cobalamin)
Cheese provides six essential nutrients: protein, phosphorus, calcium, B3 (niacin), vitamin A and B12 (cobalamin)
Milk contains three of the under consumed, those most of us are lacking, calcium, vitamin D and potassium. Did you notice the advice during the pandemic has been to consume more or add vitamin D to help fight COVID?
Powdered milk: One pound of powdered milk creates 6.7 cups of milk. Adults need 3 cups of dairy every day, children 2.5 cups. Five pounds of powdered milk will meet the daily requirement for 35 days. We are preparing a 3 month or 92 days. You can see 5 pounds per person is just 1/3 of the days for which we are preparing.
What is powdered milk? Powdered milk is created by evaporating milk to dryness by removing the water. Powdered milk has a much longer shelf life than liquid milk, and it does not need to be refrigerated due to the low moisture content once it is powder. It can be found in low fat or whole milk forms.
Evaporated milk: A concentrated milk product comes in whole milk, reduced fat, and fat-free varieties. Evaporated milk has a higher nutrient content than fresh cow’s milk per serving. It is made by reducing the water content of fresh milk by 60%. The whole milk variety is perfect to mix with powdered milk to make a more creamy and natural tasting product. Evaporated whole milk is the best to have on hand for young children who need the milk fats in their diets.
Evaporated creamer: Canned evaporated creamer is made by reconstituting powdered buttermilk and adding vegetable fats. It is slightly higher in calories but very similar in nutritional value to evaporated milk
Sweetened condensed milk: Another concentrated milk product, sweetened condensed milk has a higher calorie concentration due to the addition of sugar. Because of the sugar added the stabilizers present in other condensed milks is not necessary. This milk is used mainly in baked foods and candies. It is not good for drinking although it can sweeten homemade hot cocoa and coffee for those using both milk and sugar in their coffee.
When purchasing condensed milks check the labels. The stabilizers used may be very different from one another. Purchase those with the least added ingredients.
Coffee creamers: These are NOT made with milk. Do not store them as part of your milk or dairy.
Shelf stable milks: Shelf-stable, or aseptic, milks are common in other parts of the world.
Typically unopened fresh milk expires within a matter of weeks under refrigeration, unopened shelf stable milk lasts 6-12 months at room temp. Once you’ve opened the aseptic milk, refrigerate and use it within one to two weeks. Shelf stable milks can be purchased as whole milk, 2 %, skim milk, chocolate milk and lactose free milk.
Remember Almond milk, Cashew milk, Oat milk, and others ARE NOT milk and will not provide the nutrients of real milk. If for health reasons you need to store these in place of real milk, purchase those that are unsweetened and contain added calcium and added vitamin D.
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