Powdered milk is a manufactured dairy product, formed when liquid milk is evaporated. Powdering the milk allows it to be preserved without refrigeration without limiting the varieties available to consumers. Buttermilk, whey products, non-fat milk, and whole milk can all be dried in bulk.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages that powdered milk provides from a nutritional standpoint.
List of the Advantages of Powdered Milk
1. It can be fortified.
Because the milk has been evaporated and turned into a “dust,” it is an easy product to fortify. Many powdered milks have added vitamins, calcium, or even iron so that the daily recommended amount of each item is easier to achieve.
2. It tends to be cheaper.
Powdered milk can be reformulated into a milk product by following a few basic steps. It creates more milk per container than regular milk if it were purchased at the store. That allows families on tight budgets to better meet their needs.
3. It can be used in baked goods.
Adding powdered milk to baked goods doesn’t change the result of the recipe. It can be added in the powdered form or reformulated and added as a wet ingredient, providing some versatility in the kitchen.
4. It is very easy to carry.
Most powdered milk products come in an air-tight container that preserves the product. You can take it anywhere and use it whenever there is a need without worry.
List of the Disadvantages of Powdered Milk
1. It doesn’t taste like milk.
The flavor of powdered milk is somewhat different than the flavor of regular milk. It can be quite off-putting to someone who is not used to the difference.
2. It doesn’t have a lactose-free option.
Since 1995, there has been at least one low-lactose powdered milk available to consumers. There is not a lactose-free option, however, so those who are sensitive will still need to look for an alternative product.
3. It doesn’t always mix up as it should.
If you get the mixture ratio wrong, powdered milk can turn into clumpy milk. You can get large clumps that are wet on the outside, but dry on the inside. That can turn this product into something that is very unappetizing rather quickly.
These powdered milk advantages and disadvantages show us that this product can be a viable dairy alternative, but it may not be right for everyone.
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.