Imagine you are stuck at a place and do not have access to your regular dairy milk; what do you do? Well, you must have heard about milk powder – a close alternative to milk. Milk powder or dried milk is nothing but milk in powder form. You can use it to make tea, coffee, or just any beverage!
It provides a rich & creamy texture to your tea while also saving time. So you can make your favourite drink whenever you want, wherever you want! Let us read and know about the best milk powders available in India, including Amirthaa, Amul, and more. This article is medically reviewed by nutritionist Ruchi Wadhwa, so scroll down to the buying guide to know more about milk powders.
Ruchi Wadhwa is a certified Nutritionist with a keen interest in Ayurvedic science. She has a wholesome, holistic, and sustainable approach to nutrition.
mybest editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in India in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
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Ruchi Wadhwa is a certified Nutritionist with a keen interest in Ayurvedic sciences. She has a wholesome, holistic, and sustainable approach to nutrition. Check out the Food and drinks section as she has reviewed some more articles on the mybest website.
Now that you know about the best milk powders in the country, you must be thinking about which one to go for. Below are some essential points that you must consider before you ahead with the purchase. Note down your dietary preferences, check calories per serving, and more. Read our buying guide to know further!
Today, the milk powder industry offers a wide range of choices to suit the dietary needs of different people. It is not limited to only cow milk. You can choose from plant-based options like coconut & soy milk powder and animal-based options including camel & goat milk powder.
Vegans often find it challenging to meet their daily nutritional needs since they cannot consume dairy products. For them, plant-based milk powder is a perfect choice. These are safe & healthy as they do not contain cholesterol and are enriched with natural plant-based proteins.
Plant-based options like soy milk or coconut milk powder are an excellent substitute for dairy. They are highly nutritious and have great taste. Soy milk contains a much higher protein content than cow milk. You can also try coconut milk powder, which has a natural sweet taste and is packed with several health benefits.
Milk made from plant sources like soy, almond, coconut, etc., is a blessing for vegans and keto dieters. Plant-based milk and milk powders are low-calorie alternatives to conventional milk and are loaded with unsaturated fatty acids and bioactive compounds like phytoestrogens, isoflavones, polyphenols, etc., which are responsible for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective (heart-healthy) properties.
Suppose you are lactose intolerant but do not have a problem with animal-based nutrition. In that case, you can try camel milk or goat milk powder. Both of these have much higher digestibility than regular cow milk. Camel milk is rich in antibiotics, which helps in gut healing and boosting immunity.
Goat milk contains higher amounts of nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamin A than cow milk. It is also quite low on lactose compared to cow milk (less than 12% per cup approx.). As such, it is suitable for those who have a mild intolerance for lactose.
Bovine milk contains around 4.8% of lactose, and its consumption by a lactose-intolerant person will result in bloating stomach aches and other complications.
On the contrary, milk from camels and goats are a good alternative as they have much less lactose. Moreover, they are naturally low in calories and are rich in nutrients like selenium, calcium, potassium, etc., making them ideal for people on weight-loss or maintenance diets.
One of the essential points to check before buying powdered milk is the total calories per serving. This is especially necessary for those who are on a calorie deficit diet. Regular milk is high in calories because it is loaded with fat and lactose. You can go for skimmed milk powder as they are known for their low-fat content.
Always check the calories per serving on the product label. Two examples of low-calorie milk powder are Amirthaa and Shreemat, with only 357.0 calories per 100g serving. The fat content in Amirthaa skimmed milk powder is less than 1% fat and in Amul Sagar Skim milk powder is just 0.5% fat. Both are easy to digest.
Regular milk has a bad reputation among dieters because it is high in fat, i.e., one cup of milk contains around 20% of the daily calories recommended from fats.
Additionally, the quality of fat is poor as it is 98% triglycerides, a kind of fat that has an established link with hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and other heart conditions. So, as a calorie-conscious person, you should opt for either skimmed or toned milk as it has less percentage of total fat and calories.
Protein is essential for bone and muscle growth. Your body needs protein for its overall development and boosting immunity. Milk is considered to be one of the best sources to get your daily protein.
When you are opting for milk powder, do check the protein content on the label. Some brands offer a higher amount of protein than others. For example, Urban Platter and Amul brands have a high protein content of 49.0g and 35g per 100g serving, respectively.
As per ICMR guidelines, it is important to have at least 50% of your protein from high biological value sources like milk, eggs, etc., which roughly means eating 5 eggs every day or consuming 8 glasses of milk daily.
Eating so much can be difficult, so using high-protein milk powders is an effective way of meeting your daily requirements. Milk powders are versatile and can add milk powder to milk, flours, etc.
One main advantage that milk powder has over milk is that it is a non-perishable item. This is, in fact, the USP of this product. So, it makes sense if you go for a product that has a long shelf-life. You buy it once and use it for an entire year!
Any milk powder has a minimum shelf life of 6 months. But some have more than that, say 9 months or even 12 months. A few examples of these are KLF Coconad, Amrithaa, and Farmer Fresh milk powder. Read the label to find the product shelf-life.
Milk is perishable and gets spoiled 4-7 days after its printed date, whereas milk powder is shelf-stable and can last for 6 months to one year after opening the packet.
Moreover, milk can retain most of its nutrients in its powdered form, making it a perfect alternative for regular milk. However, the taste and texture of milk powder are no match for liquid milk, so one is not a replacement for the other.
You need to be sure that you are buying an authentic product, especially in the case of milk powder, since they are more susceptible to adulteration. Do not confuse milk powders with dairy whiteners. The latter usually contains artificial sugar or preservatives that enhance their taste and texture.
Go for pure & natural milk powder. Check if the product is a certified one. You can look for the certifications of FSSAI, ISO, and BIS, amongst others. Read the product label to find other information concerning its quality & safety.
Make it a habit to read food labels before buying a packed item. These labels indicate the product’s quality and contain information about the calories, serving size, ingredient list, additives, etc. Avoid a product if it does not have an authentication mark like AGMARK or FSSAI logo.
Before buying one, you might want to know about a few crucial aspects, such as the milk powder's taste, texture, and smell. You cannot get this exact information from the product label or its description. The best way to know about this is by reading customer reviews.
Major EC sites like Amazon and Flipkart have a good amount of ratings and reviews by the customers. Go through their reviews’ section, especially on Amazon. You will find a lot of information from people who have personally used the product. The reviews will tell you about the product’s taste, texture, mixability, smell, and many other things.
The KFL brand has a rich heritage of 75 years, exporting its products to more than 18 countries. Their milk powder is a dairy-free product extracted from 100% pure coconuts of Kerala. The extraction process takes place in a highly hygienic environment, following strict quality measures.
This milk powder has a creamy texture and carries the authentic taste of pure Kerala coconuts. It is non-messy and easy to use. You just need to add it to warm water, and you will get the coconut milk in under a minute.
It is ideal for recipes from Kerala, Mangalore, Thailand, and others with a coconut base. Moreover, it has a long shelf life of 12 months from the date of manufacturing. Most customers seemed extremely happy with this product.
Amirthaa skimmed milk powder is highly-rated powdered milk in India. It is a premium quality milk powder that tastes like cow milk. Its speciality is that it is free from cholesterol and does not contain any added preservatives.
With fat less than 1% and no artificial sugars, it is an excellent choice for those with diabetes. According to the customers, it mixes well in lukewarm water but may form clumps if used in cold water. It is an FSSAI, ISO, and BIS certified product with a shelf life of 12 months.
Amul is a household name in India when it comes to dairy products. One of its best-selling products, Sagar Skim Milk Powder, is a non-fat and high-protein milk powder. It only contains 0.5% fat compared to ordinary milk powders having 20% to 30% fat content.
It is an ideal choice for those having a preference for a low-calorie and protein-rich diet. People with diabetes can also use this powder as it is free of sugar. It is also very affordable; you get 500g of powder at just Rs.145 on Amazon.
The reviewers said that it mixes well in both hot & cold water but better in cold water. If you are using hot water, first mix it in half a cup to get a good consistency. You can also add sugar-free Natura or stevia drops to give it a sweet taste.
The Farmer Fresh skimmed milk powder is one of the best milk products with no added preservatives. This powder contains 100% pure milk against dairy whiteners that have added sucrose and stabilizers. It also helps manage blood sugar levels.
It is perfect for making tea, coffee, other beverages, breakfast cereals, sweets, and desserts. The customers said it is an excellent ingredient in food preparation. It tastes great and dissolves easily without forming lumps.
The product packing is done hygienically in high-quality vacuum packs, meeting all food safety standards. The only downside is that you will not find it easily in your local street market and on many online stores like Big Basket.
Urban Platter Soy milk powder is a perfect plant-based alternative to regular milk. It is beneficial for all – children, adults, and even senior citizens. Packed with natural abundant plant-based proteins, it is even safe for pregnant women.
The quality of this powder is top-notch, but the taste is purely a personal choice. Since it has the smell and taste of soya, you need to get accustomed to it. You can add some honey or coconut sugar to sweeten the taste. The customers found it convenient to use as it dissolves well in warm water. It is economical and keeps you full for hours.
HYE FOODS Camel Milk Powder is a 100% pure and natural milk product with numerous health benefits. This gluten-free milk powder is a perfect choice for those who are lactose intolerant but comfortable with animal-based food products. It is rich in various essential nutrients like zinc and helps in overall body development.
It contains high amounts of probiotics, which helps in gut healing and boosting immunity. It also aids in fighting allergies & infections as it is antiviral and antibacterial. You can use this milk powder in shakes, smoothies, desserts, ice-creams, and puddings.
Many people suggested that it can also be used effectively as a face mask, providing appropriate moisture to the skin. It is an excellent substitute for cow or goat milk. Loaded with minerals and hormones like insulin, this milk powder is easy to digest.
Shreemant Skimmed Milk Powder is made from fresh cow milk. It has no preservatives and provides bone-essential nutrients, such as calcium, protein, vitamin D, and vitamin A. The protein content is high in this one.
This milk powder is ideal for elderly age groups because of its low-fat content and easy digestibility. Some customers used it in desserts like kheer and found that it tasted much better. Also, it does not stick to the container walls and dissolves easily in water.
Aadvik Goat Milk Powder is 100% pure & natural milk powder with zero additives. It is processed by the freeze-dried method that keeps intact all essential minerals & nutrients. The powder is tested in the lab and manufactured as per ISO standards.
Goat milk effectively fights against fevers like dengue as it helps increase blood platelet count and is anti-inflammatory. What makes it different from cow’s milk is the better digestibility of protein & fat and certain therapeutic values it offers to the body.
Patanjali is a well-established and popular nutrition brand in India. Its whole milk powder provides complete nutrition as it is full of essential nutrients. It is a rich source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and vitamins A, D, E, and K.
The whole milk powder is made by drawing out water from fresh pasteurized milk. Whole milk means there are no preservatives added to it. Many customers agreed that it matches the level of International brands like Nestle. They were satisfied with the flavour and richness.
This one is another 100% plant-based and gluten-free milk powder. Made from 100% pure coconut milk, it is rich in antioxidants and has the goodness of plant-based proteins. It is a certified coconut milk powder with no artificial ingredients or added sugar.
Its high protein content makes it an excellent substitute for weight gainer supplements or mass gainers. One of the customers (apparently a dietician) said that she was highly impressed with the quality and taste of the product.
We can use milk powder in a variety of ways. Apart from using it in tea & coffee, you can also incorporate it in various sweets and snacks. Here is a popular recipe by India’s top cooking expert, Ms Nisha Madhulika. In her video, she explains how you can easily make instant doodh peda with milk powder.
Few ingredients you will need for this recipe are:-
Watch this six minutes video to learn an excellent way of making peda using milk powder.
We compromise in many things in life; food shouldn't be one. If you want to know about other healthy & delicious food products, check out the links given below. All these contain our top 10 picks for every food item, along with an in-depth buying guide to make your selection easier.
Milk powders make a great addition to your kitchens. In situations where you can’t rush to the market to get milk, they come in handy. Not only do they enhance the texture of your food, but they also save time in preparation. Besides, you can easily carry their sachets anywhere. So, go and buy one!
Author: Deeksha Mangla
Editor: Lakshmi Srinivasan
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