Do you miss the creamy taste of oatmeal, coffee, tea, or soups in the backcountry? Whether you drink milk or want to increase the taste of your food and hot drinks, powdered milk is a good alternative to fresh milk. The best part of powdered milk is that you can keep it for days since it’s shelf-stable, portable, and lightweight.
From short hiking to backpacking trips, I always pack dry milk for tea, coffee, oatmeal, and drinking. It’s nutrition-rich, which you need on the trail. You can find plenty of dry milk options in your local market, but not all are great in terms of quality, taste, and freshness. In this article, I have reviewed the best powdered milk brands that I have tried over the years of backpacking experience. These are best for long-term storage and great for adults too.
What is Powdered Milk
Powdered or dry milk is a convenient and shelf-stable alternative to liquid milk. It is made by removing water from pasteurized milk through heating and drying. You can reconstitute it by adding water, making it useful for camping trips or emergency preparedness kits.
While some claim that powdered milk lacks the taste and texture of fresh milk, technological advancements have made modern powdered milk almost indistinguishable in flavor and appearance. Many baking recipes call for powdered milk to add a rich creaminess to baked goods.
Best Powdered Milk Brands Review
1. Augason Farms Nonfat Dry Milk
Augason Farms Nonfat Dry Milk is our go-to choice due to its 100% natural instant nonfat dry milk. This gluten-free milk has a remarkable shelf life of 20 years, icing on the cake for the backpacking and camping.
I loved its taste and quality, which taste fresh, making it ideal for drinking purposes. It mixes easily with water, cold or hot, making it a great choice when on the go. Even though it’s nonfat, it has a delicious, creamy flavor that sets it apart from other shelf-stable options.
Augason Farms has always been my go-to brand for dry milk. We also read the reviews from various other consumers who praised the quality and taste of this milk. I don’t love oatmeal without milk when i eat them at home. However, I do eat during backpacking. The Augason Farms milk really add the creamy flavor along with the much needed nutrition’s.
2. Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk
Carnation Instant Dry Milk is another quality option that comes in multiple small packs that are easy to carry. Additionally, if you are looking for vitamins A and D3, then this milk is a go-to option. Take a look at the expiry of this milk before buying.
This powdered milk tastes good and mixes well into campfire coffee, tea, or oatmeal. However, this is not a budget-friendly option if you want to use it daily. But it’s worth having for outdoor adventures, considering its taste and quality.
We love its packing, which is sleek and packs well in the backpack. It also dissolves quickly, requiring less effort in the backcountry. I liked its smooth and creamy taste in my morning tea and oatmeal. It’s a terrific value, too, offering the same benefits as regular milk without any added fat.
3. NIDO Fortificada Dry Whole Milk
Who is not a big fan of NIDO milk? NIDO Fortificada Dry Whole Milk is an excellent option due to its quality and taste. I have been seeing this dry milk since childhood in many homes that shows its popularity over the years.
It contains all five essential vitamins and minerals. Also, it has a rich, creamy flavor that outperforms other brands. I keep it on the shelf and use it for tea when I am short of fresh milk at home. Not only do I use it for cooking or hot drinks in the backcountry, but I also drink this tastiest milk. You can use it with both hot or cold water, making it versatile enough for any drink or recipe.
It’s shelf-stable, and you can keep it at home and take it during your outdoor adventures when you want. It also offers the added benefit of being fortifying and nutritionally balanced. Overall, NIDO Fortificada Dry Whole Milk is an excellent choice for a tasty and versatile option.
4. Z Natural Coconut Milk Powder
Are you looking for a dairy-free alternative to traditional milk? Z Natural Coconut Milk Powder is vegan and environmentally friendly milk that is made from the coconut. You can use this milk powder during outdoor tours for tea, coffee, soups, food, etc.
This 𝐊𝐞𝐭𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 coconut milk powder is an excellent addition to any backpacking kitchen if you don’t want the dairy item. However, this milk takes a bit more time and effort to mix than the others we reviewed. It even smells great, which we were not expecting either. You have to use it more if you want milky tea or coffee.
If you like dairy milk, then I would advise you to go with the dairy milk instead of opting for coconut milk. It’s suitable mainly for those people who consume keto and vegan-friendly food. Personally, I prefer the dairy milk option over the coconut due to the ease of mixing and the more fresh and natural dairy milk taste.
5. Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk
If you’re looking for high-quality powdered milk, look no further than Hoosier Hill Farm Whole Milk. This brand is well-known for its superior milk products, and its powdered milk is no exception. Its creamy taste and texture are amazing; I loved it. This milk is also highly rated by consumers overall on different seller sites because of its quality, taste, and texture. This milk is excellent for cooking and other backpacking needs.
Its rich flavor and smooth texture make it a standout for any hot or cold beverage.
And although it may require a bit more effort to mix, the results are well worth it. The strong and rich flavor makes it a delicious addition to my morning coffee. And because it comes in a resealable container, I can easily add just the right amount and save any leftovers for later. Hoosier Hill Farm’s commitment to high-quality ingredients shines in every sip.
6. NESTLE KLIM Powdered Milk
NESTLE KLIM Powdered Milk is another excellent option for convenient, versatile, and tasty milk for camping or backpacking trips. It has great taste, blends effortlessly, and is affordable compared to other brands. You can use it for multi-purposes such as drinking, cooking, baking, etc.
It’s hard to beat NESTLE when it comes to quality products. This creamy flavor makes it a delicious addition to tea or coffee. We liked this milk because we didn’t have to use extra to get the better flavor. Still, a small amount was enough for a reasonable taste and flavor during backpacking trips.
How to Choose Powdered Milk
Types of Powdered Milk
- Whole Milk Powder
Rich, creamy taste, ideal for a fuller flavor. I love my oatmeal and tea with whole milk powder.
- Skim Milk Powder
Lower in fat, lighter flavor. Which one is better, skim or whole milk? It depends on the personal preference. I prefer whole powdered milk not only for a richer taste but also for extra calories and fat. But why? You burn more calories during hiking, and extra calories help to pack less food for eating.
- Non-Dairy Milk Powders (soy, almond, coconut, etc.)
Suitable for those with dietary restrictions or for vegan and keto food lovers.
- Instant vs. Regular Powdered Milk
Instant powdered milk, as the name suggests, is easy to mix, but it’s not as creamy as the regular powdered milk. You can give a try to both of them and choose the ones that you prefer. I usually go with regular powdered milk to get more calories, a better taste, and a creamier texture.
Ease of Mix
After a long day on the trail, the last thing you want is to spend too much time cooking or prepping drinks. That’s why choosing a powdered milk that mixes easily is key. Carnation Instant Nonfat Dry Milk performed really well on the trail—it dissolved quickly and without any hassle.
On the other hand, the whole milk powders I tried took a little more time to mix, but they’re definitely worth it if you prefer the richer taste of whole milk.
Unfortunately, Z Natural Coconut Milk Powder didn’t mix well at all, and the clumps were a real pain to deal with. When you’re tired, it’s frustrating to deal with milk that doesn’t dissolve easily.
That being said, most of the powders I tested did well when it came to cooking, as they blended more quickly in hot water and food, making them a better option for meal prep on the go.
Taste
Let’s be honest, you don’t get much tasty food on the trail. You have to rely mostly on freeze-dried foods and trail mixes. That’s why I take the best-tasting powdered milk for drinking, such as NIDO Fortificada Dry Whole Milk and Augason Farms Nonfat Dry Milk. NIDO Fortificada with full fat is a tastier option with its creamy texture.
Honestly, when you’re out on the trail, a hot drink or a tasty meal can be a much-needed morale boost and refreshment. Taking tasty powdered milk plays a key role in that. Also, if you are an avid backpacker, you’ve probably noticed that when you’re on a long hike, especially, everything tastes a little more intense.
Therefore, having powdered milk that actually tastes good can turn a simple cup of hot coffee into a great meal or make your morning oatmeal something you look forward to instead of just powering through.
Calories
Nothing can replace calorie-dense, nutritious food on the trail. Backpacking is a physically demanding activity where you burn calories quickly. That’s why you’ll want milk with extra calories, such as whole dry milk.
High-calorie powdered milk is compact and easy to pack, saving you precious space in your backpack. It’s also rich in fats and carbohydrates, which help with endurance on long hikes.
In addition to calories, some powdered milk provides additional vitamins and minerals like calcium and potassium, which support health and hydration. But if you don’t drink whole milk, it’s better to opt for non-fat milk powder instead of instant skim milk powders.
Summary
We have reviewed the best powdered milk brands based on extensive experience. We considered various factors when shortlisting powdered milk for backpacking and camping. We looked for affordable brands that still provided a good-quality product. We know powdered milk can sometimes have a strange taste, so we looked for brands with a good flavor. We also considered how easy the milk was to mix, as some brands can be very difficult to get the right consistency. The last factor we considered was nutritional value. We wanted to ensure that the milk we chose would provide our bodies with the nutrients they need, especially while backpacking and camping.
Related:
