How to store milk powder correctly and for how long?
Powdered milk is a product that can be used instead of fresh bottled milk.
Such a product can be stored for a long time without losing its taste. But for this, milk must be stored correctly.
We will tell you further about how to properly and under what conditions store milk powder at home.
Content
What is the powdered product?
Powdered milk is produced in a wide range by various manufacturers. At its core, the product is a concentrate that is obtained from a regular pasteurized drink.
This form of milk has many advantages:
- long shelf life;
- ease of transportation;
- compact packaging;
- preservation of all useful substances in the composition;
- opportunity to always have at hand.
The process of producing milk powder industrially includes several stages:
- Normalization, in which fat content is brought to the required level.
- Pasteurization - heating and subsequent cooling.
- Cooking/thickening.
- Homogenization – obtaining a substance that is homogeneous in composition.
- Drying using a special apparatus, resulting in the appearance of powder.
Powdered milk can be used in the diet of not only adults, but also children.
The video will show you how milk powder is produced:
Rules and terms of storage at home
High quality milk powder must have a uniform consistency and dissolve completely in water. The formation of sediment may indicate poor quality of raw materials. Also, compliance with the standards is indicated by uniform color and the absence of uncharacteristic taste and smell.
If the package is opened, then for better preservation it is recommended to pour the powder into a container with tight-fitting lids with rubber seals. This will prevent moisture and foreign odors from getting inside.
The duration of storage of powdered milk depends on the conditions and type of packaging. It can be kept in bags for no more than 8 months, in a closed metal container - up to three years.
When the package is opened, the shelf life is reduced. At room temperature – up to a month. Powder diluted in water can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
In a hermetically sealed glass container, dry milk can be stored for up to 8 months. And it can be stored for the same amount of time in vacuum packaging in the refrigerator. But if the product is low-fat, then its shelf life will be longer - up to a year, provided it is kept in a cool place with a humidity of no more than 85%. Manufacturers indicate the shelf life of the product on the packaging.
This video will tell you about storing powdered milk:
How to increase the shelf life?
Storage under conditions recommended by the manufacturer is a mandatory requirement. To prevent the dry milk product from spoiling, it is important to follow the humidity and temperature standards indicated on the packaging. Also promotes long-term storage in a tightly closed container.
No techniques will help extend the shelf life of a product longer than recommended by the manufacturer.
What to do with expired?
Milk that tastes bitter may be spoiled due to improper storage or expired. A product whose expiration date has expired cannot be used as food in any form. It must be disposed of.
Recommendations
When using milk powder you need to follow these tips:
The product should not be stored in direct sunlight, regardless of the container chosen.- When purchasing a product, you should check the expiration date.
- The storage conditions/duration of products from different manufacturers may differ, so be sure to read this information on the packaging.
- Powdered milk should not contain preservatives, flavorings or ingredients of plant origin.
- The consistency of the powder should be crumbly, without lumps or heterogeneous inclusions.
- The packaging of purchased milk must not be damaged.
- The packaging of powdered milk must contain information about the composition, manufacturer, energy value, expiration date, etc. If the buyer is not fully informed, such a product should not be purchased.
The powder cannot be very cheap, since according to the manufacturing technology, no more than 125 grams of dry concentrate is obtained from 1 liter of full-fat milk.
Conclusion
Powdered milk is a universal product that is actively used in the food industry and at home. The range of its use is very wide – from preparing drinks to making ice cream, creams and other confectionery products.
If the storage conditions are met, powdered milk is convenient to have in the kitchen - it can help out the housewife in the most unforeseen situations.
