Milk supplies various essential nutrients, including calcium, vitamins A and D, as well as protein. Yet, whole milk also supplies some unhealthy nutrients, such as cholesterol and saturated fat, both of which contribute to clogged blood vessels. Nonfat dried milk is a convenient and equally nutritious alternative to conventional liquid milk that does not contain the unhealthy components of whole and reduced-fat milk.
Features
Manufacturers remove the water content from pasteurized nonfat milk to produce the dried variant. The resulting powdered milk retains all the nutrients found in the liquid milk from which it derives -- and the powder is fat-free. Nonfat dried milk comes in three formulations: low-heat, medium-heat and high-heat. The low-heat variety dissolves the easiest when combined with fluids such as water, while the high-heat variety is most difficult to dissolve in fluids. The solubility of medium-heat nonfat dried milk falls between the other two. Retail outlets sell roller-dried and spray-dried forms of nonfat dried milk, as well. Spray-dried, the most common type, is available in instant and non-instant versions.
Uses
Individuals use nonfat dried milk both to drink in liquid form and for cooking in dry or liquid form. Turning the dried product into a beverage requires only adding the desired amount of water and mixing the solution thoroughly. Refrigeration enhances the flavor of the resulting liquid; however, if you don't like the flavor, you can improve it with ingredients like sugar or flavored extract. To cook with nonfat dried milk, add the powder directly to other food and then add the required amount of water if the recipe calls for fluid measurements. Preparing the liquid version first and then adding the fluid to ingredients also works.
Storage
Nonfat dried milk is a long-lasting kitchen staple when stored properly. In the best conditions, the product remains safe to consume for 6 to 12 months in instant form and 12 to 18 months in non-instant form. To help nonfat dried milk last as long as possible, manufacturers advise placing it in an airtight and watertight container before storing it in a dry, cool area. The dried milk can lose flavor a few months after you open it, however, and as such, you should refrigerate it and drink it as quickly as regular milk once you combine it with water.
Nonfat Versus Skim
Although some people believe nonfat dried milk and skim dried milk are identical, the two differ in important ways. Each version retains no more than 5 percent moisture and 1.5 percent milk fat after the manufacturers remove the liquid from regular milk. Skim dried milk must contain at least 34 percent milk protein, however, while nonfat dried milk can contain any amount of protein, according to U.S. Dairy Export Council.
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