Powdered milk question

[Justin Chaussee]

What is the ratio of powdered milk to water? Is it 1:4?

[Richard Gless]

I use Nestle's Nido which is available in Hispanic grocery stores in CA. The instructions say use 1/4 cup of milk and dilute to 1 cup with water. Since I usually use milk only for cooking or cereal, I usually just eyeball the measurements. If you actually drink the milk you should experiment and see what ratios suite your tastes.

My recolletion for Milkman 2%, which is no longer available, was that you mixed an envelope of milk powder with 1/2 quart of water, stirred, then diluted to 1 quart. I think I remember measuring out the amount of milk powder for a glass to 1/4 to 1/3 cup of powder with 3/4 cup of water.

[Jeff Antig]

I use some Safeway brand found at Pavilions/Vons and just add enough for it to look or taste like milk.

[Jack H.]

It varies vastly on brand. I tend to use way less milk than suggested.

[Joseph Reeves]

I've not seen Milk Man anywhere outside of Alaska, but the "kiss of cream" that it contains makes it the best available. I use 3:1 ratio water to milk.

[Richard Gless]

Here's a BPL thread from a couple of years ago you might find interesting on what powdered milk people have used and like.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=3279

[John Haley]

I use Nido (Amazon.com) and find that 60g (2.1oz) added to about 16oz of water tastes about right. I take the 360g tins and package six snack zip bags from it. Mixed (in a 20oz bottle) with two Carnation Instant Breakfasts, it make an excellent breakfast drink. I usually drink two bottles which just about covers breakfast and also hydrates for the start of a long hiking day.

[Justin Chaussee]

I found NIDO at walmart next to me. I plan on using it for cooking, not drinking. For example: I want to make mashed potatoes next time I go backpacking. The box of potatoes I have calls for 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup of milk. I want to just pack the potatoes along with the dehydrated milk in a ziplock bag, but how much more water will I have to add? How much powdered milk would I add?

[todd]

In theory, you should add the amount of water necessary for the milk + the amount necessary for the potatoes.

However, in practice, I have had what I consider great results using much less water for the milk part of the equation. Perhaps it's an individual taste thing, but it works for me. Nido tastes good for cooking.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

I tend to use 1/3 cup powder dry milk per 1 cup water for a richer flavor (more calories as well). For dry meals per person I add 1 to 2 Tbsp of it in with the starch or grains.

As for Milkman mentioned, it went out of production about 1 1/2 years ago…..sadly not made anymore.

[Unknown abc]

It should say on the box lol

[Dicentra OPW]

Ditto what Sar already said. I use 1/3 cup powdered to 1 cup liquid. It ain't rocket science. 1/4-1/3 cups works fine. There's different "types" of milk, right? :)

[Justin Chaussee]

"It should say on the box lol"

-Not when you buy it in bulk. There are no instructions on the bag.

[P ritch]

My memories of powdered milk come from a childhood spent overseas where fresh milk was not available. At least back then, the early seventies, powdered milk had such a nasty aftertaste that I could not choke it down. To this day, just thinking about powdered milk triggers a strong reaction. As such, I have not tried it for backpacking.

So, is the aftertaste still there?

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

For using in recipes you won't notice any taste. On the other hand, using it to make actual milk, no thanks ;-)

[Laurie Ann March]

In our bulk stores they have a little sticky note that you pull off a pad and that has the milk instructions on it.

[Dicentra OPW]

I've never seen that. Not sure I'd buy it. Maybe smell it first? It would have to have a pretty good (high) turnover… so it doesn't go rancid. Assuming it's a higher fat milk product.

[Sarah Kirkconnell]

I know at places like PCC I have seen it in the baking section of bulk….but yeah, I'd rather not. Open to air for who knows how long….

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