Have You Ever Used Powdered Milk and What do You Think of It?
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
United States
January 2, 2007 3:27pm CST
When I was younger, I remember my mother making powdered milk for us to drink. Sometimes she would make a coffee shake using the powdered milk, instant coffee and ice cubes. She would put them all in a blender and make them into a nice refreshing drink.
This was once an economical way to serve milk, but now it seems that it costs just as much as buying a gallon of milk.
When my children were little I needed to try ways to cut corners and make ends meet. Powdered milk was inexpensive 20 some years ago. I would mix a quart of powdered milk and add a quart of whole milk to this. The kids never knew the difference.
I would use the powdered milk to make homemade hot chocolate mix. It can be used to make pudding too.
14 people like this
90 responses
@cloud_kicker_32 (4635)
• United States
3 Jan 07
ewwwieee!! I have tried it many times,many brands..and it makes me gag!! lol.it is the nastiest crud is the world..ok maybe nor the nastiest//but i think its up there!and it make the coffee taste like crap too.i know i do it right,,its not hard to mess it up,its just,..,,YUCKIE!!! lol..i will stick to my 2% meadow Brook thank you..:)
4 people like this
@JC1969 (1224)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I had to laugh at this, you captured my sentiment exactly. Years and years ago, the first base we were stationed at was in Alaska, and when we first got there we were told to be overjoyed as they just started getting dairy milk imported to the State. A few months prior to our arrival there, they were still using powdered milk, because it was often difficult to import milk to the state. The downside was you paid almost $5 for a gallon of milk back then.
3 people like this
@iheartducks (343)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I have tried to use it, but I don't like the taste of it - so I must be doing something wrong!!
4 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
2 Jan 07
There are some that really have that powdered milk taste and others that aren't so bad.
@nancygibson (3736)
• France
3 Jan 07
I don't mind it if it is the skimmed version, but the full fat variety is just horrible in my opinion. We use it when camping, there is always some in the van in case of emergency tea stops. Its not bad used in porridge either, and as you say, cooked into things you cn't really tell the difference. Definately worth having some in the store cupboard
4 people like this
@bck_1409 (662)
• India
3 Jan 07
For children powderd milk is not suggestable, mothers milk is the best milk for them, it has all the vitamins and proteens. The powderd milk is only for those times when natural milk is not available, ithink it lacks the taste and it is not so good either.
4 people like this
@gau_veldt (63)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
Powdered milk last a lot longer than liquid milk if stored properly. Any biologist will tell you that water is the #1 enemy of 90% of germs and in dry environments they cannot reproduce. So in liquid milk there is always slow but eventual germ growth that will sour the milk.
I use it in everything. It's cheaper than coffee mate for coffee, works in cereal and is great is you want a little more richness in Kraft Dinner sauce or hot chocolate (or any other milk-containing beverage).
4 people like this
@cajunmomma (624)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I have some, but I find it hard to measure. Therefore, I don't use it often. My husband uses more than I do.
3 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
11 Jan 07
I keep a canister with a really wide mouth canister like a tupperware canister only I bought it from the dollar store. It is easy to measure that way. I think it holds about a gallon of powder milk. It is more likely that you will use it if it is easy to get to and measure.
1 person likes this
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
2 Jan 07
I remember when times were tough and I would go and get a food basket from a local food pantry. They would always give out powdered milk. I also did the half and half thing and no one knew. And it is real good for making hot cocoa. I have not used the powdered milk in years.
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
2 Jan 07
If times got tough enough that I would have to use it again I would not bat an eye.
2 people like this
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
11 Jan 07
My daughter mixes 1/2 gallon 2% milk with half gallon powered milk mixed up of course. Her family never enen knew when she started it.
I use powdered milk on a regular basis. We buy it in bulk so it is cost effective.We buy it in large white plastic buckets. It stays bug free and very fresh. It has a shelf life of 2 years but we have kept some longer and it was still good. I use it to make many things. There is a downloadable book with recipes to use just for powder milk. We store it so we never run out.
1 person likes this
@Khokhonut (702)
• United States
4 Jan 07
I have used it in cooking and baking and for hot cocoa as well.
I haven't ever used it as milk to drink, it just doesn't sound appealing.
If I needed to cut corners I would give it a try though :)
3 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
4 Jan 07
It isn't the best tasting stuff I have ever tried.
2 people like this
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
2 Jan 07
NO offense taken. I haven't used it in years. Some people I know get it with their government commodities and toss it out. I feel it is a shame to throw away what is given to you. There are ways of putting it to use other than for drinking purposes.
2 people like this
@depakbhat (78)
• India
3 Jan 07
i never used powdered milk. y should i try all those when i get fresh milk nearby? so i don yhink i will be using it in the near future also....
4 people like this
@moulikrishna (122)
•
3 Jan 07
Hi friend this is economical but might be unhealthy so plaese check everything before use .It may no show you the difference in taste but you will know the differnce in health after some days.so please take care.
@bunnie17479 (18)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I remember when I was little and we lived on a farm, that of course had cats, we would feed the cats powdered milk. I also remember tasting it, and well...let's just say that it was the first and last time that I would drink it. To me, I personally can't stand that taste of it. Now maybe the taste has changed since then, but I don't think I could get up the courage to drink it again unless I absolutley had to.
3 people like this
@doingit4fun (917)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I hate the taste of powdered milk! I guess you have to get used to the taste...
@Blackpepper1 (94)
•
3 Jan 07
I have tried it but I can't stand the taste.
It ruins the taste of coffee or tea. Nothing beats the real thing.
It is better than nothing I suppose and in an emergency I would use it but that is all.
3 people like this
@tbomb2002 (269)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I agree it is no longer economical to use the powdered milk, however, it does have a longer shelf life. It is useful in baking too, in recipes where adding liquid milk would make the product too thin to use. And, as you mentioned, it is great for making drinks. I can remember making one with orange juice that tasted like a creamsickle.
@primecrimson (1388)
• Philippines
3 Jan 07
I grow up using powdered milk as alternative for chocolate drinks or coffee. I really like it.
3 people like this
@patootie (3592)
•
3 Jan 07
I think powdered milk brands are much nicer these days ... I use them all the time ... I live on my own and it's impossible to use up a pint (0.5 litres) of milk before it goes off .. so I use powdered milk for all my cooking .. seems to work ok ..
I prefer coffee rather than tea ... which is perhaps a little unusual for an English person heheh .. and I use a coffee whitener which makes a lovely creamy coffee ...
Powdered milk is far more practical if you live alone ... but I do buy 'real' milk now and then for a special treat ...
3 people like this
