Spend £150 for FREE Mainland Shipping
What is milk powder?
Milk powder, also called powdered milk, is cow's milk that has been evaporated to remove it's water content.
It goes through this process in order to achieve a longer shelf life as a solid. It is still a dairy product and is a concentrated form of milk solids, rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Adding water will create liquid milk again which can be used in cooking, baking, or simply mixed with water to make liquid milk again. Powdered milk is both practical for everyday cooking and essential in large-scale food production.
If you would like to know more about the specifics of powdered milk, including how it's manufactured and how it stands up against regular milk health-wise, read on.
How is powdered milk made?
Powdered milk is retrieved as normal milk from dairy cows and goes through the same pasteurisation process in which milk is heated to a high temperature and then quickly cooled to kill harmful bacteria.
Following that it goes through additional steps in which the milk is heated up again in an evaporation process.
It then goes through a drying process which involves spray drying, in which the concentrated milk is pumped into a nozzle that shoots the milk out as a fine mist into the drying chamber.
More evaporating will then take place to ensure all water contents are removed.
Following this, dry powdered milk can be collected, cooled and sieved for the right texture and consistency.
Like normal milk, you can make pasteurised milk using milk with different fat and calorie content, meaning you can have:
Is powdered milk healthy?
Powdered milk is a nutritious option that closely matches the benefits of fresh milk. It provides high-quality protein for muscle growth and repair, is rich in calcium and other minerals essential for strong bones and teeth, and contains fat-soluble vitamins, making it a convenient, long-lasting source of essential nutrients, especially in areas where fresh milk is not readily available.
Because of this, it can be an effective alternative for people who want the benefits of milk without worrying about short expiry dates.
Similarly, this is why it's so popular amongst hobby bakers who aren't in need of full fat baking milk every day.
Powdered milk is generally healthy, especially as part of a balanced diet. For people who can tolerate dairy, it's a convenient alternative to fresh milk, with nearly the same protein, calcium and vitamin content.
Does milk powder have lactose?
Yes. Powdered milk contains the same natural milk sugar (lactose) as fresh milk.
Some manufacturers do produce lactose-free milk powders by treating the milk with the enzyme lactose before drying.
So, unless its specifically labelled lactose-free, powdered milk will have lactose and can cause symptoms in people who are lactose intolerant.
Is milk powder dairy free?
No. Powdered milk is made from cow's milk and therefore falls under the category of dairy products.
It contains milk proteins such as casein and whey, as well as lactose, so it is not suitable for people following a dairy-free diet or for those with a cow's milk allergy.
Milk powder brands
Most milk retailers have a powdered milk variant of their products. We sell a range of milk powders from brands such as Arla, Milkmaster and Muller.
Want to know more? Let us know!
If you have more burning questions about powdered milk, whether it's how to use it in your recipes, which type is best for your needs, or how to order in bulk, let us know.
The team at Kent Foods Direct can help you make the most of powdered milk, a versatile product that continues to play an important role in baking, and everyday cooking.
We supply high-quality milk powders alongside a wide range of other dairy ingredients, so if you're looking for a reliable source, you're in the right place.
Get in touch with us today to find out more about our range or to discuss your requirements.