If you have leftover condensed milk and are not going to use it any time soon, you may ask: “Can I freeze condensed milk?” We'll tell you what happens if you freeze condensed milk, is there a difference between freezing boiled and regular condensed milk.
Storage conditions for condensed milk are established by the manufacturer. As a rule, an unopened can (package) of condensed milk has a longer shelf life in the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 to 10 degrees Celsius. But if you open a tin can or plastic packaging of condensed milk, the duration of its storage in the refrigerator is reduced. And then the question arises about using the freezer to store condensed milk. But does condensed milk freeze in the freezer, will its taste and consistency change?
What is the product?
Condensed milk refers to canned milk , which is produced using established technology in an industrial environment. The product is prepared by boiling whole milk with added sugar.
During the boiling process, the liquid changes consistency and becomes thick. The product is high in calories, sweet, and contains vitamins and minerals.
In order to have confidence in the quality of the product, you should study the packaging. It must contain information about the manufacturer, composition, volume and nutritional value. The expiration date must also be indicated.
A quality product will indicate “whole condensed milk with sugar.” Another name for freeform may indicate a lower quality product.
In accordance with GOST, the product must contain a fat content of 8.5% . For sweetened skim milk this figure is 1%, for sweetened condensed cream - 19%.
The world owes the appearance of condensed milk in cans to N. Appert, who lived during the reign of Napoleon.
How to cook condensed milk
For cooking, you should choose a quality one. fresh. condensed milk so that after heat treatment the product does not acquire a bitter taste. The composition of the product should consist only of sugar and milk. It is necessary to check that the tin can has no damage, diverging seams, or islands of rust.
A product whose label says: “whole condensed milk with sugar” is suitable. Before cooking, the label should be removed from the jar, and the jar itself should be rinsed and wiped thoroughly. It is recommended to choose a pan as deep as possible, and the water in it should be at least 5 cm above the level of the jar.
How long can it be stored, at what temperature?
Condensed milk is produced in metal cans, plastic containers and bags with a dispenser. If the products comply with GOST, then in the first case the storage time is one year, for packages – six months. The shortest shelf life in plastic packaging is 3 months.
Optimal conditions for condensed milk:
- humidity from 75% to 85%;
- air temperature – from 0ºС to +10ºС.
The shelf life of the product is directly affected by:
- the conditions in which the product is located;
- violation of the tightness (opening) of the original packaging.
A longer shelf life - above 12 months - can only be in the presence of preservatives and in the case of production according to specifications, and not according to GOST.
In a refrigerator
Condensed milk can be stored in unopened factory containers for as long as indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. Once opened, the product can be kept in a cool place for up to 5 days .
In the freezer
It is not advisable to freeze condensed milk. At low temperatures, the product loses its consistency and becomes sugary. When defrosted, such milk can still be added to tea, but it will no longer be possible to use it to prepare culinary masterpieces.
Milk should be frozen in special containers, not in iron cans. In this case, the product can be kept frozen for 3 to 6 months.
In room conditions
At high air temperatures, condensed milk cannot be stored for a long time. An opened jar should be used within several hours (no more than 6), if it is not possible to move it to the refrigerator. In hot weather, this period is reduced even further.
Related questions
We hope you find this quick and easy guide to freezing condensed milk helpful! However, in case you need more information, we've added a few other related questions for you:
How long can condensed milk last in the refrigerator?
Once opened, condensed milk can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 days . However, once opened, evaporated milk should be stored in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
How to defrost frozen condensed milk?
You should leave frozen condensed milk in the refrigerator overnight or for several hours. This is the safest way to defrost condensed milk. This ensures that it is not exposed to temperatures that could cause bacterial growth.
How can you tell if condensed milk has gone bad?
The best way to tell if condensed milk has gone bad is to smell it and look. If it has an unpleasant odor, a strange taste, or has changed in appearance, it should be discarded.
Condensed milk can sometimes form a film or milky crust on top, but this does not always mean it has gone bad. You can simply whisk the condensed milk to remove the skin.
Selection of containers
The original packaging is suitable for long-term storage of the product subject to all conditions of temperature and humidity.
After the jar is opened, it is recommended to pour its contents into a glass container and keep it under the lid.
You should not leave milk in a metal can, as in this case oxidative processes will begin and the product will deteriorate faster.
In addition to glass containers, a ceramic or enameled container can be selected. They must also close, preventing air from entering and foreign odors from being absorbed.
Extending the storage period
extend the shelf life of an opened can of condensed milk if you pour the contents into a glass container and cover with a lid . This allows you to keep the product in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.
If condensed milk is supposed to be stored for a long time, and in fairly large volumes, then the best option is a basement with good ventilation. The cans themselves, which come in a box, are best left in this packaging. In some cases, jars may have a special lubricant that protects them from damage.
Boiled condensed milk
Boiled condensed milk is one of the popular varieties of condensed milk. You can prepare it yourself or buy it ready-made in the store. The standards for the release of this product differ from ordinary liquid condensed milk. The expiration date for the product is set by the manufacturer himself.
The characteristics of condensed milk depend on the cooking time:
- In 1.5 hours, the consistency acquires the viscousness necessary for making creams.
- In 2-2.5 hours, condensed milk becomes of medium consistency and can be used as a filling for nut-type cookies.
- After 3 hours of cooking, the condensed milk becomes dark in color and can be used as a self-sufficient dessert.
The shelf life of such delicacies depends on the container, humidity and storage temperature. If the original packaging is opened, the shelf life in the refrigerator is reduced to 8 days.
Home
You can not only buy condensed milk ready-made, but also make it yourself. It is prepared from two components:
- milk;
- sugar.
Having combined milk with sugar, the product is strongly boiled, bringing it to the required consistency. After the treat has cooled, it can be placed in the refrigerator and used within 10 days.
If condensed milk is being prepared for future use, it is poured hot into glass jars, which are sterilized for 10 minutes, and then sealed .
The product is stored in a dark and cool place for up to two years. If sugariness begins to appear on the surface of the mass, condensed milk should be used as soon as possible.
You can learn about making homemade condensed milk from the video:
How to prevent condensed milk from becoming sugared?
To avoid having to constantly stand near the stove, cook condensed milk in a water bath. To do this, pour water into a large saucepan and place a saucepan with milk in it. Heat to a boil over high heat, and once the milk begins to boil, reduce the heat to low. The milk must be boiled for at least an hour.
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What to do if it goes bad?
A product that is expired or has been stored for a long time after opening should not be eaten. Even if the expiration date has not passed, you should not use condensed milk that has changed color, smell or taste .
You should be wary of a consistency uncharacteristic of condensed milk or the presence of foreign inclusions. This product must be disposed of.
Heat treatment is only possible if the product is not lost. Sugaring indicates violations of storage conditions or periods.
What to do with candied condensed milk
When this product shows signs of sugaring, we can say that the condensed milk’s shelf life has already expired. This product should be thrown away.
If the contents of a recently purchased jar are already candied, and there is still a lot of time before the expiration date of this product, this indicates that the temperature regime was violated during transportation or storage in the warehouse. In this case, the manufacturer is not responsible for the quality of the product, so it is useless to make claims against it. You should also not eat such products.
In order not to harm your health and the health of your children, you should carefully read how long condensed milk can be stored. Carry out an audit of the cellar, refrigerator, and pantry in order to get rid of expired products in a timely manner.
Recommendations
When purchasing and storing condensed milk, it is advisable to remember the following expert advice:
You should not buy condensed milk in a tin can that has dents, especially on the seams, since such a defect can lead to damage to the product due to damage to the inner layer.- The container tin should not be rusty on the outside.
- If there is doubt about the quality of the product, you should not use it for food.
- If condensed milk that is not expired turns out to be candied after opening the package, this may indicate improper storage or violation of transportation conditions. It is not advisable to use such a product as food.
- The high calorie content of condensed milk makes it not a suitable product for those losing weight, and is not used in dietary nutrition.
- The recommended amount of condensed milk is 1-2 spoons per day.
- This condensed milk should not contain synthetic components or oils of vegetable origin.
- Do not keep the product package in the sun.
- A can of real condensed milk should have a completely stamped marking in two rows. In the second row - production date and shift number.
- During storage, tin cans should not touch each other. This will prevent rust and chipping.
- After opening the plastic package, the condensed milk from it does not need to be poured into another container. But storage must be under a lid.
In addition to regular condensed milk, you can find a product on sale with various additives, for example, chicory, coffee or cocoa. Condensed milk is also available - without sugar.
How to choose the right condensed milk
Long-term pasteurization (condensation) of milk with sugar takes place at a temperature of +60°C. This helps preserve a significant amount of beneficial substances found in fresh milk. The initial qualities of milk, of course, surpass the properties of condensed milk in some respects, but the nutritional value of condensed milk and its unforgettable taste are familiar to everyone since childhood. Although this product was not always available for free sale.
Unfortunately, these days many unscrupulous manufacturers sell various surrogates based on palm oil and other substitutes harmful to humans under the guise of condensed milk. Therefore, when choosing this product, you should pay attention to the label and composition.
- If the label says “condensed milk” or “condensed milk product,” the can may contain a compound that has nothing in common with real condensed milk.
- According to GOST, real condensed milk should contain only milk and sugar, which is what is written on the label. If any other components are indicated, such condensed milk is not worth buying.
- Most often, the real product is sold in tin cans. Any other types of packaging containers (glass, plastic, polyethylene) are not practical from the point of view of further cooking of this product and may contain a surrogate.
