Best Instant Milk?
 

Is there an instant milk powder you use that tastes decent? Most instant milk tastes terrible to me. I was thinking about mixing instant milk powder with granola, in biscuit mix, pudding mix, etc... I thought I once found an instant milk brand that tasted halfway decent, but I can't remember the brand.

I find that plain water in granola tastes better than instant milk powder.

I've heard some say Nido brand is better than others.

I've carried Nesltle Nido while backpacking if I had access to cold water. I don't like it warm. You just have to see if you like it

Yep Nido.

Thanks all.

This is one of those threads that at the moment doesn't really apply to me, since I have never carried milk, powdered or otherwise. However, it is one of those threads with great information to file away in case I decide to do so. I had never considered carrying any milk product, but may after reading this. It could be useful at times. Thanks for posting the question, and thanks for the answers.

My wife had her SIL freeze dry us whole milk. We used it last year on a tour from Wyoming to Ohio. Tastes great!

I’ve first used Manapro Unimilk which is powered milk primarily for livestock (because we had it for the horses). It worked nicely with granola. Saved an 8oz plastic baby food jar to mix it with. Shake, shake, shake and pour. Unfortunately it only comes in large bags (like 9lbs or more) so, even in the freezer, it aged out and was disposed. Last trip I tried Carnation Malted Milk (powered) and was very pleased. Too sweet for some folks but, when preparing for 30 or so loaded miles before lunch, the carbs set well with me. I don’t recall the powder to water ratio I use but you just conduct experiments at home to find what suits you. I have a 13oz jar which reseals well and seems to have good shelf life.

Is this to drink, or for baking purposes, or something else? Sounds like you are using it for several purposes.

I never drink milk, but decades ago when I was a boy scout leader and did campfire baking, I used coffeemate or other powered coffee creamers as a substitute. It worked. But when you are baking on a campfire, almost everything tastes great and nobody gets too picky.

FWIW, Nido comes in a few sized cans and keeps pretty much forever if unopened. Once opened it keeps quite long, but does go bad eventually. When it goes bad it doesn't disolve well and is kind of nasty. I have not tried it for super long periods but I bet it would keep really well if vacuum sealed in mylar bags. I have vacuum bagged it in small bags for backpacking and it worked out well for coffee and on cereal.

The open can has kept for at least several months at home. I never kept track, it may have been as long as a tear before it was unusable.

Good thread here. I could very well try that Nido, if I can find it. I don't drink a lot of milk, but once in awhile, I get a need for cereal. I've been just grabbing that liquid milk that doesn't need to be refrigerated until opened, but that's obviously not the best choice. 🙄 Besides being heavy & bulky, it kinda tastes a little funny, compared to "normal" milk.

Mostly for mixing into other things. It also might be interesting to combine with Ovaltine or something similar for a chocolate milk recovery drink...

Sorry. Couldn’t resist. :D

Can you pass me the Roundtine when you're through with it? 😁

What’s wrong with carnation?

Swiss Miss?

Just to clarify... We're talking about the drink mix, right? Otherwise I'll need a tandem. Not that I would complain...

I was thinking hot chocolate, but if you were thinking hot something else, ... ...

It is skim milk not whole milk at least what I see in stores that I go to. Nido is the only powdered whole mik I have reliably found. Nothing eles is even 2% that I know of so if you want any butter fat it is the only way to go for dried that I know of..

I have no names to offer, but I seem to remember reading about backpacking provisions, that powdered whole milk rather than skim was much more palatable. Perhaps it was in Colin Fletcher's The Compeat Walker.

When camping I just use vanilla flavored whey protein powder. Tastes good with oatmeal or granola.

I've never heard of that. I'll have to look into it. Thanks!

Thanks for posting. I really am not a fan of hot instant cereal, but I am adding that to my list of things to try, as I have some of that for post-exercise muscle recovery from when I used to go to a gym before covid.

I usually just add about two ounces of dried fruit to two packets of instant hot cereal (raisins, pineapple, papaya, etc.) to make it edible. But the whey is a great protein source, could be a good addition.

All backpacking sources I've read recommend Nido.
I just saw a post somewhere about someone finding Horizon Organic Instant Whole Milk at Costco and it tasted great.
I have tried using random-brand dried Coconut powder creamer from Sierra and it wasn't all that great for my instant coffee, TBH. But it might have been just this one, I saw other options so some experimentation may be needed.

Instant milk....isn't that what happens when you squeeze a cow's teet?