Evaporated vs Condensed Milk

What is Evaporated and Condensed Milk?

Evaporated milk and condensed milk are both concentrated forms of milk that have been processed to remove water. The main difference between the two lies in the amount of sugar added during the production process. Evaporated milk is produced by heating milk under reduced pressure, which causes some of the water content to evaporate, resulting in a thicker consistency. No sugar is added during this process. On the other hand, condensed milk is made by adding sugar to milk and then heating it until much of the water evaporates, resulting in a thick, syrupy liquid.

Another key difference between evaporated and condensed milk lies in its flavor and texture. Evaporated milk has a creamy, slightly caramelized taste with a thinner consistency, while condensed milk is thick, sweet, and sticky. Due to the added sugar, condensed milk has a more pronounced sweet flavor. As a result, evaporated milk is used more often as a substitute for cream or regular milk in recipes, while condensed milk is commonly used as a sweetener in baking and dessert recipes.

In terms of storage, both evaporated milk and condensed milk have a long shelf life, but they are usually stored differently. Evaporated milk is often sold in cans or cartons and can be stored at room temperature until opened. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within a few days. Condensed milk, on the other hand, is always sold in cans and should be stored unopened in a cool, dry place. Once opened, it should be refrigerated and consumed within a few weeks.

Evaporated and Condensed Milk Production in the World

The global production of Evaporated and Condensed Milk plays a significant role in agriculture and trade. As of 2021, Germany is the top producer, contributing 1,521,957 tonnes, which accounts for 18.04% of the total global production. United States ranks second, producing 1,048,196 tonnes, representing 12.42% of the world's output. Other significant producers include Poland, Peru, and Italy, with production levels of 716,579, 545,552, and 541,133 tonnes, respectively. Cuba has the lowest production among the listed countries, contributing just 100 tonnes in 2021. In total, global production of Evaporated and Condensed Milk reached approximately 8,436,788 tonnes in 2021.


Top 10 Countries by Evaporated and Condensed Milk production 2021


Countries Ranked by Evaporated and Condensed Milk Production in 2021

Source:FAOSTAT
Last Updated: 23 Jan 2025
RankCountryProduction (Tonnes)
1
Germany Flag
Germany
1,521,957
2
United States Flag
United States
1,048,196
3
Poland Flag
Poland
716,579
4
Peru Flag
Peru
545,552
5
Italy Flag
Italy
541,133
6
Netherlands Flag
Netherlands
459,246
7
Malaysia Flag
Malaysia
349,950
8
Saudi Arabia Flag
Saudi Arabia
247,253
9
Spain Flag
Spain
232,668
10
Mexico Flag
Mexico
210,360
11
Austria Flag
Austria
203,638
12
Singapore Flag
Singapore
202,000
13
Belarus Flag
Belarus
197,997
14
United Kingdom Flag
United Kingdom
177,043
15
Russia Flag
Russia
153,692
16
Sweden Flag
Sweden
143,615
17
China Flag
China
132,574
18
Belgium Flag
Belgium
126,039
19
Ireland Flag
Ireland
100,200
20
Czech Republic Flag
Czech Republic
98,892
21
Thailand Flag
Thailand
84,249
22
France Flag
France
66,100
23
Brazil Flag
Brazil
65,438
24
Canada Flag
Canada
63,292
25
Hungary Flag
Hungary
57,508
26
Ukraine Flag
Ukraine
56,850
27
South Africa Flag
South Africa
54,279
28
Australia Flag
Australia
47,218
29
Japan Flag
Japan
43,575
30
Latvia Flag
Latvia
42,588
31
Chile Flag
Chile
40,701
32
Vietnam Flag
Vietnam
35,044
33
Kazakhstan Flag
Kazakhstan
31,537
34
Israel Flag
Israel
30,086
35
Luxembourg Flag
Luxembourg
28,305
36
Estonia Flag
Estonia
26,107
37
Romania Flag
Romania
23,397
38
Colombia Flag
Colombia
23,211
39
Indonesia Flag
Indonesia
22,222
40
Kyrgyzstan Flag
Kyrgyzstan
21,754
41
Denmark Flag
Denmark
18,142
42
Panama Flag
Panama
17,177
43
Portugal Flag
Portugal
16,543
44
Slovakia Flag
Slovakia
13,461
45
Norway Flag
Norway
12,369
46
South Korea Flag
South Korea
10,495
47
Sri Lanka Flag
Sri Lanka
9,818
48
Argentina Flag
Argentina
9,586
49
Lebanon Flag
Lebanon
5,914
50
Zimbabwe Flag
Zimbabwe
5,655
51
New Zealand Flag
New Zealand
4,883
52
Lithuania Flag
Lithuania
4,867
53
Turkiye Flag
Turkiye
4,064
54
Switzerland Flag
Switzerland
4,015
55
Serbia Flag
Serbia
3,414
56
Bosnia and Herzegovina Flag
Bosnia and Herzegovina
2,803
57
Nicaragua Flag
Nicaragua
2,564
58
Pakistan Flag
Pakistan
2,376
59
Mongolia Flag
Mongolia
1,976
60
Moldova Flag
Moldova
1,674
61
Madagascar Flag
Madagascar
1,466
62
Taiwan Flag
Taiwan
1,443
63
Iran Flag
Iran
1,407
64
India Flag
India
1,351
65
Tajikistan Flag
Tajikistan
1,224
66
Honduras Flag
Honduras
1,199
67
Kenya Flag
Kenya
1,160
68
Jamaica Flag
Jamaica
1,047
69
Greece Flag
Greece
840
70
Venezuela Flag
Venezuela
793
71
Uganda Flag
Uganda
229
72
Croatia Flag
Croatia
217
73
Trinidad and Tobago Flag
Trinidad and Tobago
213
74
Uruguay Flag
Uruguay
151
75
Bulgaria Flag
Bulgaria
107
76
Cuba Flag
Cuba
100

Process of Making Evaporated and Condensed Milk

The manufacturing procedures for evaporated and condensed milk are quite dissimilar, generating two unique products with varying flavor and texture characteristics.

Here are some of the primary variations in the production processes:

  1. Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is made by heating fresh milk under reduced pressure, causing a portion of its water content to evaporate. This process is typically carried out at a temperature of approximately 120-140°C, resulting in a thick and creamy texture. The milk is rapidly cooled and homogenized to ensure a uniform product. Unlike condensed milk, evaporated milk does not have added sugar and is usually sold in cans or cartons.
  2. Condensed milk: To produce condensed milk, whole milk, and sugar are combined in a ratio of two parts milk to one part sugar, and heated slowly while stirring until the sugar dissolves. This results in a thick, syrupy liquid that is then heated further to remove more water, producing a highly concentrated product with a sweet flavor and thick consistency. Condensed milk is typically sold in cans and is frequently used as a key component in desserts and baked goods.

The primary distinction between the manufacturing processes of evaporated and condensed milk lies in the addition of sugar to condensed milk. Evaporated milk is heated to achieve a thicker consistency by removing water, while condensed milk undergoes a sweetening process and further reduction to form a highly concentrated product. These distinct production techniques lead to contrasting flavor and texture profiles, making each product suitable for unique purposes in cooking and baking.

Health Benefits of Evaporated and Condensed Milk

There are significant health differences between evaporated and condensed milk, despite their similar appearance and texture. Here are some points to consider:

  1. Calorie content: Condensed milk contains more calories than evaporated milk. A serving of condensed milk (2 tablespoons) contains around 130 calories, while the same amount of evaporated milk contains approximately 40-50 calories.
  2. Sugar content: As previously mentioned, condensed milk is heavily sweetened with added sugar. This results in a high sugar content, with approximately 12 grams of sugar per serving. Evaporated milk, on the other hand, does not contain any added sugar and has a low sugar content.
  3. Fat content: Both evaporated and condensed milk are produced using whole milk, implying that they have a considerable amount of fat. Nonetheless, the fat content can differ depending on the processing technique and brand. As a rule, evaporated milk has lower fat content than condensed milk.
  4. Nutrient content: Although both types of milk are excellent sources of calcium and vitamin D, which are crucial for bone health, the nutrient content can be influenced by the processing methods. The heat-treatment process involved in evaporated milk production can result in a minor decrease in certain nutrients. Conversely, condensed milk is typically enriched with vitamins and minerals.

Although evaporated and condensed milk can both be utilized in cooking and baking, evaporated milk is usually deemed a healthier choice because it has lower levels of calories, sugar, and fat. Nevertheless, it is crucial to consume these dairy products in moderation as part of a well-balanced diet.

Uses of Evaporated and Condensed Milk

Although evaporated milk and condensed milk may appear to be interchangeable, they have different applications based on their unique flavors and textures. Here are some of the notable variations in their respective uses:

  1. Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk is frequently used in savory dishes, including soups, sauces, and casseroles, due to its velvety texture and delicate taste. As a cream replacement, it can be used in coffee or tea. As a substitute for regular milk in baking, it provides richness and enhances the flavor profile of cakes, pies, and other desserts. It can also be whipped to create a topping for desserts.
  2. Condensed milk: Due to its dense, sugary taste, condensed milk is an excellent addition to desserts and baked goods. It is frequently used as a primary ingredient in recipes like fudge, caramel sauce, and ice cream. Additionally, it can be used as a sweetener in coffee or tea. The high sugar content makes it beneficial in extending the shelf life of desserts and baked goods.

In general, although evaporated milk and condensed milk may appear to be similar, they have distinctive flavor and texture profiles that make them more appropriate for different applications in cooking and baking. Evaporated milk is more adaptable and can be utilized in a broader range of dishes, while condensed milk is perfect for providing sweetness and thickness to desserts and baked goods.