Different Types Of Milk Forms In Nigeria

There are so many brands of commercial milk in the market. They come in different forms, price and label. My curiosity was heightened when I discovered that a particular brand with the same form and size has a different price. I quickly realised that something is definitely different. I started off with research. What I found out will interest you.

Forms And Types Of Milk

Commercial milk comes in either powder or liquid form. There are different types of liquid milk. They are evaporated or condensed liquid milk. Both powder and liquid milk come in either whole (full cream or long life) milk or filled (skimmed) milk. Milk can either be sweetened or unsweetened.

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Difference Between Milk Forms

All types of milk are good and healthy. But the target audience varies. Knowing the difference will explain what each does.

Whole (Full Cream Or Long Life) Milk

Forms of milk

They come in liquid or powder form. The powdered form is derived from whole milk. They are fresh milk from farms fortified with other vitamins and minerals. They have creamier taste because it is richer and gotten from animal fat. The liquid comes in yellow colour.

Full milk powder must contain no less than 95 percent of milk solid and must not exceed 5 percent moisture. The fat content must be less than 26 percent. Vitamin A and D may be added. Emulsifying agent lecithin may be added in the amount not exceeding 0.5 percent.

Filled (Skimmed) Milk

They also come in liquid or powder form. Skimmed milk, or skim milk, is made when all the milkfat (cholesterol) is removed from whole milk. It tends to contain around 0.1% fat. Fat filled milk powder has dairy fat (butter) removed or reduced and replaced by vegetable fat. It is reconstituted with fats from vegetables such as refined palm, coconut oil or a blend of vegetable oil in the form of butterfat. Skimming produces 25 percent of fat in cream and less than 0.5 percent milk fat in skimming. They are pal blue in colour. Filled milk can be condensed, evaporated, concentrated, powdered, dried and desiccated.

From the above explanation, both have advantages. People who desire to burn done on fat intake will go for filled milk. It is also cheaper. But both contain added vitamins and minerals.

Condensed Milk

Condensed milk is milk 60 percent of water has been removed. Condensed sweetened milk is condensed milk with added sugar. It can survive for years without refrigeration.

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Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk has undergone a lengthier preservation process. 60 percent of water is removed and then heated (pasteurised) to produce a creamy taste. Pasteurization is heating milk to 161°F for 15 seconds followed by rapid cooling to kill germs. Evaporated unsweetened milk is evaporated milk sugar has not been added. Some evaporated milk comes in skim, 1%, 2% or homogenised 3.25% version. Skim, 1 and 2 percent versions are lowest fat choices. They are used in baking and cooking.

Commercial Milk Products

In the market, you will see a variety of labels. Some will be full cream evaporated milk. Others will be like filled condensed milk. To understand each, you just have to note the difference here. Some will specify the milk form like powder. But the major thing is the fat content.