In the past I have stocked up on the LDS Home Storage Center's powdered milk. One day we ran out of milk so I made some of this up to drink, and we ended up spitting it out. It was horrible and left such an aftertaste. Ever since, I've been on the hunt for a milk that my family would drink.
I do have to say that I cook with the LDS Home Storage Center's milk. It's the most inexpensive-even cheaper than our current fresh gallon of milk in the store. It's easy to just add 3 TBSP. of powder and a cup of milk, into any recipe that calls for 1 cup fresh milk. (I don't even bother mixing it up beforehand)
There are 3 kinds of nonfat dry milk (NDM)-regular or non-instant, crystallized instant and instant.
Regular NDM is sold at the Church cannery, dairy co-ops and at some health food stores. It is very fine and almost feels like flour. It is the least expensive of the three kinds, and has the least volume per dry weight. It is usually the most difficult to mix by hand, usually requiring it to be mixed with warm water, to help it dissolve. It requires 2/3-3/4 cup powder to make 1 quart.
Ok, now that we have that out of the way, here's what we did. We sampled 10 different milks, 1 regular fresh skim milk, 1 powdered milk alternative, 1 non-instant powdered milk and 7 instant powdered milks. 10 probably was a bit much, but I really didn't want to show a preference towards a certain company, so I made sure I included most of the main ones that I can purchase online. Each sample was given a letter, A-J. Even I didn't know which one was which, so I had the chance to sample them too.
We used a little rating card, with the numbers 1-5 on them. "1" was for "poor", and "5" was for "excellent". (When I did a taste test last year, I had them try to rank the five samples from best to worst, but that didn't work too well) Also a space was left for comments on each milk.
I took the results and figured out the average score (added them all up and divided by number of results), range (lowest to highest score), and mode (most frequent score given).
Because I don't live in Utah, I have to order all the milks online and have them shipped. The shipping rates varied greatly so I gave that information out on my handout (see below)
Here's the results:
H-Meijer Fresh Skim Milk
No, I wasn't trying to be sneaky. I figured that if we were comparing powdered milks to fresh milk, I needed a control sample to see how well the fresh milk scored. Our milk is currently around $2.79/gallon for the fresh skim. It scored 3.89 average, 2-5 range and 4 mode. Only comment made was "edible".
A-Augason Farms' Country Fresh
This milk retails for $11.25 and is currently on sale for $9.56 per #10 can. It contains approx. 39-1 cup servings. According to the directions, it takes 5 1/3 cups powder per gallon! I called the company on this because I thought they were incorrect. This milk looks like a crystallized, almost regular NDM. I thought it should have taken way less. The customer service rep. put me on hold and talked to marketing, and they assured me that the directions were correct. So this one comes to around $4.62/gallon. It scored the lowest rating, with an average of 1.35, range 1-3, and mode 1. Some of the comments were "no bueno", "horrible", "watery", "tastes like a box" and several stated "aftertaste".
I had ordered a large can of this, 1 1/2 weeks before our taste night, so I would have samples. It didn't show up in time, and in fact, still hadn't shipped, 2 weeks later. So I called the company and asked for it to be canceled, as I didn't want to even give it out-it was that bad. I'm just wondering if using a lesser amount of powder would make it taste better?
B-Grandma Country Foods' Country Cream
According to the label, this can makes 20 full quarts, or 5 gallons. It's priced at $17.99 a can. This can really frustrated me. On the can label, it shows mixing instructions for five different quantities: 1 serving, 1 quart, 1 gallon, 5 gallon and cream-like. If you use the formulas they give, and convert them all to gallon quantities, they aren't the same:
1 serving 2 Tbsp. powder to 1 cup water
1 quart 2/3 cup-1 cup powder to 4 cups water
1 gallon 2 2/3 cup-3 cups powder to 16 cups water
5 gallons whole can to 80 cups water
So if I use the "1 serving" instructions, and make 1 gallon, it will take 32 Tbsp. powder-which is 2 cups.
If I use the "1 quart" instructions, and make 1 gallon, I would use 2 2/3 cups-4 cups powder.
If I use the "gallon" instructions, it's 2 2/3 cups to 3 cups powder.
And if we use the "5 gallon" instructions, the can held about 12 cups so it would be just under 2 1/2 cups powder per gallon.
So it ranges from 2 cups/gallon to 4 cups/gallon! I called the company and talked to them about the issue I was having. They told me that it's all about "personal taste". I acknowledged that, but stated that I was conducting a taste test and wanted to know which was the best ratio to use. The lady was very nice and she told me that she would talk to the owners and bring it to their attention.
I decided that I'd shoot for the middle and go with 3 cups/gallon. That means a can makes about 3 gallons, instead of the 5 gallons they claim, and it's about $4.17/gallon.
This one scored the best, out of the 7 Instant Nonfat Powdered 100% milks that we tried. It had a 3.17 average rating, 2-5 range and 2 & 4 mode. Some of the comments were "best", "not great", "just like 1%" and "ehh, ok".
C-Walmart's Great Value
I purchased this one at the local Walmart, in a 25 oz. box, for $6.99 plus tax. It had the largest granules of all of milks tested. It takes 5 1/3 cups powder per gallon of water. It only makes 2 gallons per box, and averages $3.50/gallon. It scored 2.81 average, 1-5 range and 3 mode. Some comments were "pretty good" and "watery".
D-Honeyville
Sorry, poor graphic. They only have one milk-Instant non-fat dry milk. It was $14.69/can, takes 2 2/3 cups powder/gallon, and makes about 48 1-cup servings. This comes to $4.90/gallon. It had an average score of 2.25, range 1-5, and mode 1, 2 and 3 tied. Comments included: "aftertaste" and "watery".
E-Maple Island's Abby's Best
Maple Island graciously sent me a one pound sample of their milk, for the taste test. So thank you to Maple Island! However, there were no instructions sent. So I emailed the company and asked for nutritional information and mixing instructions. They emailed me these instructions:
INSTANT NONFAT DRY MILK
MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
- ONE QUART NONFAT MILK
- Add 3.2 oz (91g) (1 1/3 to 1 2/3 cups) Instant Nonfat Dry Milk to 3 ¾ cup (900mL) of water.
- FIVE QUARTS NONFAT MILK
- Add one lb. Instant Nonfat Dry Milk to 18 ¾ cups (4.4 L) of water.
- 25 QUARTS NONFAT MILK
- Add five lbs. Instant Nonfat Dry Milk to 93 ¾ cups (22 L) of water.
Can label says it has a 3 year shelf life.
F-Emergency Essentials' Provident Pantry (Fortified)
This milk is $14.50/can and makes about 45-1 cup servings. It takes 4 cups of powder and averages out to $5.16/gallon. It scored 2.31 average, 1-5 range and 2 mode. Comments included: "nasty" and "Mmmm!"
G-Shelf Reliance's Thrive Instant
I was really excited to taste test this one, as I used to be a consultant for Shelf Reliance. I loved their instant milk and stocked up on it, after my very first taste test. Then, in March 2012, Shelf Reliance changed the formula to their milk and many consultants and customers have been complaining that the new milk isn't as good. I haven't purchased any of the new milk so I borrowed some from another consultant. It is currently priced at $21.69/can, makes approx. 33-1 cup servings, and takes 3 cups powder/gallon. This comes to a whopping $6.55/gallon! Yes, $6.55/gallon. (I know, I can hear all the consultants out there saying, "but I can tell you how to get it 1/2 off, if you'll host a party!") It scored a 2.53 average, 1-5 range, and 3 mode. Comments included: "sweet" and "tastes like iron".
I-Augason Farms' Morning Moos (Milk Alternative)
This is a milk alternative. What does that mean? It means it's made from whey, soy and a whole lot of other crap. Here's the ingredient list: sweet whey, creamer (coconut oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, sugar, diglycerides, polysorbate 80), sodium silicoaluminate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, soy lecithin, nonfat milk, sugar, guar gum, vitamin A and vitamin D.
It costs $15.75/can, makes 96-1 cup servings and takes 2 cups powder/gallon. It comes to about $2.63/gallon. It scored the highest average (except for the fresh milk) with a 3.33 average, 1-5 range, and 5 mode. Comments included: "not bad" and "most creamy".
J-LDS Home Storage Center Nonfat Milk
This is the milk that I use to cook with (but not drink!). To me, it has a nasty aftertaste. But I learned that there are many out there that love the taste, which surprised me! It costs $8.60/can, makes 69-1 cup servings, and takes 3 cups powder/gallon. It comes to $1.99/gallon. I decided that if I was mixing all the other samples with cold water, I'd go ahead and do that to this one. I used a mixing pitcher and it worked okay. Yes, there was a little powder stuck to the plunger, but not bad at all. It scored a 2.86 average, 1-5 range and 2 mode. Comments included: "aftertaste", "watery", "sour" and "nutty". Several people scored it at a 4, and even one a 5- what where they thinking!?!?! ROFL
Here are all the results, in chart form:
| The Great Ohio Powdered Milk Taste Test | ||||||||||
| Milk Name | Fortified? Vit. A & D | Cost/ #10 Can | Cups Dry Milk/ Gallon | Number of cups you can make from one #10 can | Cost per gallon of milk | Test Sample | Average Taste Score 1=low, 5=high | Test Score (Range) | Most often chosen taste score | |
| Milk Alternatives: | ||||||||||
| Augason Farms' Morning Moos | yes | $15.75 | 2 cups | 96 | $2.63 plus shipping** | I | 3.33 | 1-5 | 5 | |
Instant NonFat Powdered Milks (and real milk): |
||||||||||
| Augason Farms' Country Fresh | yes | $11.25 | 5 1/3 cups | 39 | $4.62 plus shipping** | A | 1.35 | 1-3 | 1 | |
| Grandma Country Foods' Country Cream | yes | $17.99 | 3 cups | 69 | $4.17 plus shipping**** | B | 3.17 | 2-5 | 2 & 4 | |
| Great Value (Walmart) | yes | 6.99/25 oz. box | 5 1/3 cups | 32 | Aprox. $3.50 | C | 2.81 | 1-5 | 3 | |
| Honeyville | yes | $14.69 | 2 2/3 cups | 48 | $4.90 plus shipping* | D | 2.25 | 1-5 | 1, 2 & 3 | |
| Maple Island's Abby's Best | yes | $9.58 | 2 2/3 cups | 60 | $2.55 plus shipping**** | E | 2 | 1-4 | 1 & 2 | |
| Emergency Essentials' Provident Pantry | yes | $14.50 | 4 cups | 45 | $5.16 plus shipping** | F | 2.31 | 1-5 | 2 | |
| Shelf Reliance's Thrive Instant | yes | $21.69 | 3 cups | 53 | $6.55 plus shipping *** | G | 2.53 | 1-5 | 3 | |
| Meijer Skim Milk | yes | n/a | n/a | n/a | $2.79 | H | 3.89 | 2-5 | 4 | |
Non Instant NonFat Powdered Milks: |
||||||||||
| LDS Home Storage | $8.60 | 3 cups | 69 | $1.99 | J | 2.86 | 1-5 | 2 | ||
| Shipping Costs: | ||||||||||
| 1 star * | flat rate $4.49 | |||||||||
| 2 star ** | based on order total-orders over $100 have flat ship rate ($12 ave. max. shipping rate) | |||||||||
| 3 star *** | based on order total with no max. rate | |||||||||
| 4 star **** | based on product weight-Shipping cost/case decreases the more you order. For example: Grandma's Country cream-$19.95 to ship 1 case, 2 or more case- flat $29.99 rate | |||||||||
| All the milks, except for the Morning Moo's, are made from 100% real milk. Shelf Reliance labels it as "milk solids". I called the company to confirm that it is 100% real milk and they looked it up and confirmed that it is. They stated:" milk solids is what is left after real milk is dehydrated". | ||||||||||
| Morning Moo's is a lowfat milk alternative (soy based). The ingredients include: sweet whey, creamer (coconut oil, corn syrup solids, sodium caseinate, dipotassium phosphate, sugar, diglycerides, polysorbate 80), sodium silicoaluminate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, soy lecithin, nonfat milk, sugar, guar gum, vitamin A and vitamin D. | ||||||||||
| Daily Vitamin D % varied by brand-ranging from 0% to 40% | ||||||||||
If you think a milk is "watery", add more powder and try it again. If you think it's bland, add a little vanilla or sugar and try it. Everyone that participated found a milk that they ranked a 4 or 5. That tells me that there is something out there, for everyone. You just need to be patient and try several to see what suits your family best. And if you can't find a 100% real powdered milk, try a milk alternative. Having that is better than nothing.
