Why is condensed milk sweeter than evaporated milk?

Condensed milk is sweeter than evaporated milk because of the specific ingredients added during production. While both products are created by removing approximately 60 percent of the water from milk, their preservation methods differ significantly.1

Evaporated milk is preserved through heat sterilization in a sealed can, which prevents spoilage without the addition of sweeteners. In contrast, sweetened condensed milk is preserved by the addition of sugar. This sugar is added in high concentrations—typically at least 60 percent in the water phase—to create enough osmotic pressure to inhibit bacterial growth. Because it is preserved by this high sugar content rather than by high-heat sterilization, the milk only requires pasteurization before being packaged.1