How do evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk differ?

Evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are both concentrated dairy products created by removing approximately 60 percent of the water from milk, but they differ significantly in their preservation methods and ingredients.1

• Evaporated Milk: This product is preserved through sterilization. After the milk is concentrated, it is homogenized, fortified with vitamins, and sealed in cans. The cans are then sterilized at high temperatures (118 °C) to ensure a long shelf life.1
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This product is preserved by the addition of sugar. The high sugar concentration—typically at least 60 percent in the water phase—creates enough osmotic pressure to prevent bacterial growth. Because the sugar acts as a preservative, this milk only requires pasteurization rather than the intense sterilization process used for evaporated milk.12

While both are used in food manufacturing, such as for ice cream or candy, their distinct processing methods result in different flavor profiles and shelf-stability characteristics.1