I just opened a can of condensed milk?

Question

and it was a very thick, caramel colored substance-never seen condensed milk like this before. Its the Carnation brand. What gives? Is it bad, and why? The can was sealed and unopened?

marc D-are you sure? i've been a baker for years and i'm almost sure i've used carnation before...maybe it was borden, but in any case it isn't the right consistency for my recipe, so I don't know what to do.

bdawg-it IS sweetened condensed, but now I'm confused even more, because isn't the white stuff sweetened? can I use it in a coconut macaroon recipe?

it doesn't smell bad, but I'm honestly afraid to put it in my mouth...until I figure this out :)

Answer 1

assuming it was SWEETENED condensed milk - i have had this before.

it looks like caramel because it has sort of slow cooked into caramel. and it is fabulous. yes, i have eaten it, served it on ice cream - even learned how to make it on purpose. served it to friends who loved it.

If you don't want it, i would love to take it - if you live near me.

i am really serious about this.
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if it was not SWEETENED condensed milk, ignore everything i just said. you may have to check the label.
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oh, you can't use it in the recipe you were planning to use it in. the density and liquidness are all wrong now. it has been through a chemical change.

Answer 2

Are you referring to Sweetened Condensed Milk or Evaporated Milk?

If it's evaporated milk, it sounds like the fat (little flecks of butter) has separated from the the rest of the liquid.

When in doubt, just throw it out and buy another can of the same brand to see if it's the same. It may be the way the product turns out for that manufacturer, Carnation.

I'm almost tempted to tell you to just shake it up and use it... but I don't have enough info to answer you fully.

If it's sweetened condensed milk, it could be the way that manufacturer make their product. I'm used to Bordens. Their sweetened condensed milk is more of a yellowish thick goop.

Also, look on the label, I've noticed some companies are now making a "Dulce de leche". Maybe you got one of those cans by mistake.

Answer 3

Condensed milk from Carnation is thick and somewhat caramel colored. It's delicious. When I was little I'd sneak and eat it with a spoon. It's really good in brownies and coffee...

mmmmm.

Answer 4

It's fine, thats what condensed milk looks like.

There are two kinds of canned milk. One is EVAPORATED Milk The other is Condensed milk. Evaporated milk is closer to normal milk. Condensed milk is condensed down so it's very thick, sweet and Carmel colored.

Answer 5

First expiration date, second, smell it! It usually takes that color when the Carbohydrates of the condensed milk cut their bonds and start deteriorating. I recommend to eating it since you will have a long journey to the bathroom! ;)

Answer 6

wouldnt risk it, check the date, might jsut be a bad batch. I never really seen the carnation kind, but no matter what, caramel coloured is not that good.....it should be slightly llow, but only jsut so it could be mistaken as being white.

Answer 7

I've had this happen as well from time to time. I think that it's just a matter of it separating or something like that. I've never poisoned anyone with my cooking (yet), so I would suspect that its fine. And remember 180 degrees kills everything....

Answer 8

Are you sure it is CONDENSED MILK? Make sure it is not Sweeten Condensed Milk which is sweeter and carmel colored.

Answer 9

if it is condensed it is supposed to be think with an off white color..

if it was supposed to be evaporated then it is thin..

but, check the date....if is out then throw it out, if not take it back to the market you got it from for a refund.

Answer 10

Sounds normal to me for sweetened condesed milk....

you're not thinking of evaporated milk, are you? b/c that's pretty white.