Evaporated Milk In Coffee (A Perfect Combination)

Evaporated milk in coffee may sound weird to some but it is in fact a fairly popular add-in to coffees.

So to those who ask “can you add evaporated milk to coffee?”

Well of course you can! We each have our own personal preferences when it comes to add-ins to our coffee and evaporated milk is no different.

While evaporated milk in coffee does seem like adding regular milk or creamer, there are actually a few reasons why the combination works so well.

In this blog post, I will reveal why evaporated milk and coffee are great together. Also, I will share some recipes around the world that actually use evaporated milk in coffee.

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At a glance: Evaporated Milk In Coffee (A Perfect Combination)

Evaporated Milk: An Overview

Before we kick off the discussion, here’s a reminder not to confuse evaporated milk with condensed milk which is heavily sweetened. 

As the name suggests, evaporated milk is actually milk with a portion of its water (about 60%) removed through evaporation. 

The process behind the production of evaporated milk simply involves simmering the milk gently to gradually remove water. On top of that, the heat kills any bacteria that might be present.

This leaves behind a slightly concentrated form of milk which is denser than regular milk. Alternatively, it is known as unsweetened condensed milk with a comparatively more watery consistency. 

Since it involves no other processes, evaporated milk is generally treated just like a dairy product. The only difference is that evaporated milk has a decently long shelf life. Other than that, it is a great substitute for milk if it is scarce.

Hence, you can use it in baking, cooking, desserts, and of course coffee.

Why Evaporated Milk Works Well With Coffee?

The main reason evaporated milk works well with coffee is because of the added mouth feel and unique milkiness it brings to the coffee beverage. Just like how milk frothing adds a different dimension to espresso-based milk beverages. 

Since there is less water content in the evaporated milk, this concentrates the milk proteins and lactose present in the milk itself. As a result, the taste of the milk will be more pronounced and the creaminess exceeds regular milk. 

Furthermore, evaporated milk has a thicker consistency and a slightly sweeter flavor and both of these traits complement extremely well with full-bodied coffees.

On top of that, the other advantage that evaporated milk has over regular milk is that it will not curdle or separate when added to hot coffee. Instead, the addition will gently blend itself into the coffee, creating a beautiful brown hue of a milk coffee. 

If you haven’t tried this combination yet, do give it a go!

Author’s Note: That said, regular milk when frothed and textured with a steam wand can achieve a superior texture in comparison to evaporated milk. 

Coffees With Evaporated Milk (Examples)

Since evaporated milk is a fairly common add-in to coffee, you can bet that there are plenty of coffee drinks out there that require evaporated milk. Note that not all of them are espresso-based beverages, some of them use thick-brewed dark-roast coffee which pairs extremely well with evaporated milk. 

Here are a few examples of coffees that incorporates evaporated milk as part of their drink;

Evaporated Milk Coffee

Evaporated Milk Coffee is the most basic way to use evaporated milk with coffee. It is simply a combination of brewed coffee and a splash of evaporated milk.

And as a result, you get a smoother cup of coffee in comparison to one made with regular milk.

Kopi C

When you order a local milk coffee in the South East Asia region (Singapore, Malaysia, or Hong Kong), you will most likely get a thickly brewed coffee with condensed milk. The unsweetened version of it simply requires you to add the term “C” behind it.

As such, upon ordering Kopi C, you will get a thick local coffee with a generous amount of evaporated milk and less guilt. This creamy treat can be enjoyed both hot and cold!

Cuban Coffee

Cuban Coffee which is otherwise known as the Cuban Cortadito is another infamous coffee beverage that uses evaporated milk. It is essentially an espresso shot with equal amounts of evaporated milk and two teaspoons of sugar. 

The evaporated milk helps mellow down the intensity of the espresso and adds a layer of creaminess to the espresso-based drink. Together with some sugar, it makes a perfect end to a hearty dinner.

Author’s Note: Another espresso-based milk beverage very similar to Cuban Coffee is the Cortado. It is made with equal amounts of espresso and milk!

Thai Coffee

Unlike Vietnamese Coffee which uses only condensed milk as part of the recipe, Thai Coffee combines both condensed milk and evaporated milk for its recipe. 

This in essence yields a very smooth and milky Thai coffee that tastes even better with ice! 

Cafe con Leche

A Cafe Con Leche which is of Spanish origin is typically made with thickly brewed coffee with equal parts of milk. The milk here can be easily substituted with evaporated milk to elevate the creaminess of the drink.

This is only a short list of coffee beverages around the world that uses evaporated milk as part of their recipe. If you know any more other coffee drinks that have evaporated milk in them, do share them with me below in the comments!

Evaporated Milk VS Condensed Milk In Coffee

Evaporated Milk and Condensed Milk are very similar and this is why people often confuse them for one another.

The core difference between Evaporated Milk and Condensed Milk is the amount of water removed and the additives. And they cannot be used interchangeably when following recipes.

In the case of evaporated milk, about 60% of the water content is removed by simmering the milk. As a result, the milk becomes thicker and creamier which acts as a great substitute for milk in coffee.

On the other hand, if you simmer a mixture of milk and sugar until 50% of the water content is removed, you will get a viscous consistency milk which is known as condensed milk.

This variation is comparatively thicker and has an unmistakable sweet taste. However, Italian coffee does not go really well with condensed milk. Instead, coffee drink variation from the Asia continent is more compatible with condensed milk.

In summary, evaporated milk adds a rich texture and creaminess to your coffee without changing the flavor too much. Condensed milk on the contrary will alter the overall flavor profile of the coffee because of the intense sweetness it brings.

How To Prepare Coffee With Evaporated Milk?

Preparing Coffee With Evaporated Milk is extremely simple. Here’s a non-fluff simple recipe to prepare coffee with Evaporated Milk.

Barista Tip For Using Evaporated Milk In Coffee

In the absence of regular milk and the only option you have is evaporated milk, you can use evaporated milk as a substitute. To do so, all you need to do is to mix the evaporated milk with water in a 1:1 ratio.

Do note that this little hack only works for iced coffee drinks. You will not get great results when used with hot coffee beverages.

Best Evaporated Milk Brands For Coffee

At this point, you may be wondering which are the best evaporated milk brands for coffee.

Fret not, because I’ve got you covered. Here’s a short list of evaporated milk brands in no particular order that you can use for your coffee.

Carnation Evaporated Milk

Being one of the most common household product names for evaporated milk, you can certainly find it in almost every local market. 

The Carnation Evaporated Milk is known as a great choice for baking, making sauces, desserts, and most certainly coffees. Besides that, it has a low-fat and fat-free option which is great for those who are watching their calorie intake.

To top it all, the added Vitamin D is certainly a good bonus to have here.

NoyNoy Evaporated Milk

NoyNoy Evaporated Milk is an uncommon brand that is imported from Greece. Like the rest, NoyNoy Evaporated Milk has added Vitamin D and tastes roughly similar to Carnation Evaporated Milk.

Although, some people swear by the taste of NoyNoy Evaporated Milk in comparison to Carnation Evaporated Milk. What are your thoughts on this?

365 Whole Foods Market Organic Evaporated Milk

With organic food products being the talk of the town in recent years, the popularity of evaporated milk from 365 Whole Foods Market is no foreign name anymore. 

Organic often means premium and this brand is no different. Unlike regular farm cows, cows from organic farms are fed better quality food that is not laden with fillers. 

As a result, these cows produce better quality milk and in turn better tasting coffee for you. 

Although the price is slightly higher, the extra benefits it brings may be worth your money!

These evaporated milk are fairly common household brands and you can certainly find them in your local market.

However, your taste buds and mine may be different, and hence do take this list with a grain of salt. After all, taste is subjective and it all boils down to personal preference. 

If you do have a brand of evaporated milk that you prefer, do leave a comment down below so I can try it out too!

FAQ On Evaporated Milk In Coffee

Is Evaporated Milk Good With Coffee?

Yes! Evaporated milk is a great way to add creaminess and flavor to bitter coffee drinks. This is because evaporated milk is a concentrated form of regular milk. This intensifies the flavor of milk and elevated sweetness since water was removed from its natural state. Adding evaporated milk will give your coffee a smooth texture with subtle milk sweetness.

Can I Use Evaporated Milk As Coffee Creamer?

You can use evaporated milk as a coffee creamer if no other options are available. Evaporated milk is in fact an excellent choice as it adds a smooth creamy texture to your coffee without altering the overall taste. On top of that, the subtle sweetness from the evaporated milk is a great addition to balance out the coffee’s bitterness.

Is Evaporated Milk Healthy?

Since evaporated milk is simply concentrated milk, evaporated milk is a healthy choice. It retains all the nutrients that are present in regular whole milk. This includes calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and protein. All of which are essential for healthy bones. That said, taking it in excess will have adverse effects and ultimately, moderation is key.

How Much Evaporated Milk To Add To Coffee?

I’d recommend three tablespoons of evaporated milk for 240 ml of coffee as a general rule of thumb. Ultimately, it boils down to personal preference. Some would prefer to have the taste of coffee more pronounced while others would love a milky coffee drink. Try it out yourself and find the best ratio that suits you best!

Closing Notes

That concludes all you need to know about evaporated milk in coffee.

Once you have tried the creamy goodness when you have your coffee with evaporated milk, you will never go back to regular milk.

That said, regular milk has higher nutritional value and is a comparatively lesser processed food product. Hence, as I’ve always said, have everything in moderation and you are gold.

If you find this piece of article informational and have taught you a thing or two about evaporated milk in coffee, please share it with your fellow friends, baristas and home brewers! 

Happy brewing!