While fresh dairy products are not suitable for backpackers, powdered milk can provide a nutritious supply of nutrients when refrigeration is not available. Powdered milk, like fresh milk, is abundant in protein, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Powdered milk is also a wonderful source of calories for hikers in cold weather. Powdered milk can be used to supplement nutrients in instant oatmeal, dehydrated meals, and morning tea or coffee.
Quick overview of the best powdered milk for backpacking and hiking
The best-powdered milk for backpacking and hiking are:
- Milkman Low Fat Instant Dry Powdered Milk
- Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
- CapraMilk Goat Milk by Mt. Capra
- Peak Dry Whole Milk Powder
- All American Whole Milk Powder
5 best powdered milk for backpacking
Milkman Low Fat Instant Dry Powdered Milk
The Milkman Low Fat Instant Dry Powdered Milk is the initial choice to begin this powdered milk journey. You can obtain 12 quarts of milk for less than $25, which comes out to about $0.58 per ounce of milk. Right there, you’re looking at a pretty good deal.
What makes Milkman’s milk so appealing is how delicious it tastes. You receive a very rich and creamy flavor, and if you are not told that it was powdered milk, you’d think it was the real thing. The powder dissolves rapidly and readily in both hot and cold liquids, and it has a minimum shelf life of two years.
Milkman’s powder is completely GMO-free and low in fat. Milkman has been producing powder for almost 60 years, so the company must be doing something right.
Nestle Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
Nestle is one of the most well-known food companies, and its Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk is one of the most popular milk powders on the market. Popularity does not necessarily imply excellence, but it certainly does in this case.
Nestle Carnation is available in various quantities, but we found that the 25.6-ounce bottle was the best value. This results in a per-ounce price of $0.46, significantly lower than the other options.
Nestle Carnation tastes great and is reasonably priced. It’s fortified with vitamins A and D, and because Nestle takes the extra time to remove water from milk during the manufacturing process, you get milk that’s creamy, rich, and oh so tasty.
Whether you need assistance preparing outdoor smoothies or simply want a chilled glass of milk at the end of the day, this easily earns the vote as a solid contender for the best milk powder on the market.
CapraMilk Goat Milk by Mt. Capra
CapraMilk’s Goat Milk from Mt. Capra is a neat option that’s worth checking out for preppers looking for something a little different.
Powdered goat milk isn’t as popular as powdered cow milk. Still, it has the advantages of being simpler to digest, not containing antibiotics, and completely free of pesticides, hormones, herbicides, and other chemicals.
CapraMilk powder is naturally homogenized and, as expected, is an excellent source of calcium.
People frequently use powdered goat milk for creating the baby formula, and if you find yourself in a scenario where you need to utilize powdered milk, and you have a kid, this can come in helpful.
Peak Dry Whole Milk Powder
Peak Dry Whole Milk Powder is another good option if you’re looking for something with a higher value.
You receive 900 grams of powder for less than $20, and it’s rich in vitamins A and D3. Once again, there’s a rich and creamy flavor here, and Peak, like Milkman, manages to provide a remarkably true-to-life genuine milk taste.
Peak’s powder has a lengthy shelf life (up to 5 years after the expiration date on the package), and it’s perfect for drinking and baking.
Peak powder is incredibly diverse in terms of how it can be used, and having whole milk present here is a bonus for people who enjoy the flavor of whole milk.
All American Whole Milk Powder
Moving on, Hoosier Farm’s All American Whole Milk Powder is our fourth choice. This is yet another whole milk powder alternative, and the taste of whole milk is unmistakable.
People who don’t like whole milk will probably not like what’s on offer here, but this is the powdered milk for you for whole milk fans.
The 2-pound container is hormone and gluten-free, and 4.5 cups of powder mixed with 3.75 quarts of water yield one gallon of milk for baking, drinking, or whatever else you want to do with it.
We were pleasantly delighted by how delicious Hoosier Farm’s milk powder tasted. While some people have complained about it not dissolving easily, we had no such problems in our personal experience with the product.
Powdered milk brands
Some of the most prominent powdered milk brands include:
- Nestle Carnation
- Peak Milk
- Milkman
- All American
- CapraMilk
Nestle Carnation
Carnation has received more 5-star ratings than any other brand in terms of taste and aftertaste. If you’re looking for the best-tasting powdered milk brand, look no further.
Peak Milk
Peak achieved the second-best taste rating and tied for the second-best aftertaste rating. The powdered milk is both “creamy,” and “smooth.” It is also one of the simplest brands to combine.
Milkman
There are two types of Milkman milk powder available: skimmed milk powder and full milk powder. Whole milk powder is created by evaporating whole cream milk.
All American
Also known as the Hoosier Hill Farm Milk, the All American powdered milk brand produces one of the most averagely balanced powdered milk.
CapraMilk
There are two types of CapraMilk goat milk powder: skim (fat-free) and whole (full cream). Bulk Goat milk powder is available in 1 pound jars and 10 pound bags. Because it is naturally homogenized, it does not include Xanthine Oxidase.
Best powdered milk for tea & coffee
Nestle Everyday Dairy Whitener: The Dairy Whitener from Nestle is the best-powdered milk for making tea and coffee. It is a very popular and widely used brand. Making tea and coffee with Nestle Dairy whitener is easy.
You need to add one tablespoon of milk to approximately 100ml of warm water, and you are good to go.
Healthiest powdered milk
Meyenberg Whole Goat Milk: Though this is powdered goat milk, it is the healthiest milk. It is a bit pricey and does not contain artificial ingredients. Additionally, this powdered milk is easily digestible and very tasty.
It also has a surprisingly long shelf life. It can stay up to 4 years and has a non-fat version.
Types of powdered milk
Whole milk powder
This powdered milk is usually obtained by removing water from homogenized, pasteurized whole milk.
According to the FDN, it should be made of more than 26%milk fat and less than 5% water content.
This powdered milk type is typically used in confectionaries, bakeries, dairy, and the preparation of mixes, soups, and sauces.
Non-fat dry milk/skimmed milk powder
The second type of powdered milk is skimmed milk powder. Just like its name, it contains the least fat content.
It has a fat content of 1.5%, and its water content should be less than 5%.
These powdered milk are also further classified according to the heat treatment used when making them. They include; high- heat(least soluble, low heat(most soluble), and medium heat.
Buttermilk Powder/ Dry Buttermilk
The third type is buttermilk powder. It is obtained through water removal from liquid buttermilk from churning cream into butter and then pasteurized before condensing.
It should contain 5% or less moisture and 4.5 or more milk fat.
See related: Can You Bring Butter Backpacking?
Recipe ideas with powdered milk
There are a lot of recipes out there that can be used with powdered milk to make a tasty meal while you are out hiking. Here are a few recipe ideas with powdered milk: It’s an ingredient in making cereal, apple cinnamon pecan oatmeal, strawberry banana granola, banana nut oatmeal, and many more.
Cereal
Ingredients
- Dried Fruit
- Powdered Milk
- Cereal/Groats
Cereal is one of the most common breakfasts for hikers and backpackers alike. You can use any cereal of your liking. Powdered milk is almost non-perishable and a good source of calcium. Dried fruits with a chewy texture perform best, such as apricots, cranberries, and blueberries.
Apple Cinnamon Pecan Oatmeal
Ingredients
- A quarter cup quick steel cut oats
- Honeyville Freeze Dried Apples, 1/4 cup
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Peak Powdered Dry Whole Milk
- 1 tablespoon Honeyville Powdered Butter
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 cup of water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a Ziploc bag to produce a single-serving package at home.
- In the camp kitchen area, combine cereal and water in a cooking pot. Bring to a boil, covered, over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Place in a pot cozy and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Stir and serve.
Strawberry Banana Granola
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup High Protein Granola from Nature Valley
- Honeyville Freeze Dried Strawberries, 1/4 cup
- Honeyville Dehydrated Banana Chips, 1/4 cup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 14 cup powdered Peak Dry Whole Milk
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a Ziploc bag to produce a single-serving package at home.
- In the camp kitchen area, combine cereal and cold water in a cookpot (or bowl).
- Stir until the milk powder is dissolved, then serve.
Banana Nut Oatmeal
Ingredients
A quarter cup quick steel cut oats
Honeyville Freeze Dried Bananas, 1/4 cup
A quarter cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tbsp Peak Powdered Dry Whole Milk
1 tablespoon Honeyville Powdered Butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 cup of water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a Ziploc bag to produce a single-serving package at home.
- In the camp kitchen, combine cereal and water in a cooking pot. Bring to a boil, covered, over high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Place in a pot cozy and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Stir and serve.
Where to buy Powdered milk
Powdered milk is easily available at your local grocery shop. Every shop is different, but powdered milk is commonly found in the baking section. It is usually in a box, although it can also be in a bag or a can. There may be several brands to pick from, similar to liquid milk.
You can also purchase powdered milk from trusted online shopping platforms like Amazon.
How long does powdered milk last
Most manufacturers advise consuming powdered milk within 18 months of purchase; however, this is merely a “best by” date.
Powdered milk, according to the USDA, can be stored indefinitely. Unopened packages are likely to be usable for two to ten years after the printed “best by” date.
After reactivating the powder with water, it should be utilized within 4-5 days. This is because powdered milk is genuine milk that has been cooked to the point where approximately half of the milk solids have evaporated.
A package of powdered milk will specify the ingredients, such as nonfat dry milk and vitamins A and D3, but other commodities with ingredient lists are not genuine.
As is customary, removing the moisture significantly increases the product’s shelf life, allowing you to always have some milk on hand. The exposure of powdered milk to heat and moisture has the greatest impact on its shelf life.
How does powdered milk taste?
If you drink powdered milk the instant you mix it with water; it will taste slightly different from fresh milk. When powdered milk is mixed with water, it takes at least eight hours to rehydrate. Since it is allowed to settle for so long, the milk tastes significantly better and is nearly indistinguishable from fresh milk.
Furthermore, the crystals are incredibly fine, allowing for complete dissolution. Instant milk includes rougher crystals, resulting in a gritty texture if not fully dissolved. Even yet, the milk loses a lot of its fresh flavor, which many who adore milk are familiar with.
Bottom Line
Most dairy products are not suitable for camping. Powdered milk, on the other hand, is a healthful option. Powdered milk is a nutritious alternative when you desire milk but can’t keep it cool. Good quality powdered milk, like fresh milk, has high-quality proteins.
Sources
https://www.greenbelly.co/pages/best-backpacking-meals
https://ablecamper.com/easy-backpacking-food-ideas-for-2020/
https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Cooking-Food-Preparation/All-about-skim-milk-powder.aspx