# Does anyone buy powdered eggs or milk anymore? What other powdered foods are available?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Tags:** soda-softdrinks
**Created:** [July 7, 2013, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887 "2013-07-07T19:16:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/21 "2013-07-07T20:51:48Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> You probably aren’t going to find powdered eggs or powdered milk in very many grocery stores. I imagine not too many people buy them.
>
> But they can be bought: [eggs](http://www.amazon.com/Powdered-Whole-Eggs-2-25-Pound/dp/B0006ZN4XE/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1373228720&sr=1-1&keywords=powdered+eggs) and [milk](http://www.amazon.com/Peak-Whole-Milk-Powder-900-Grams/dp/B004K0862K/ref=sr_1_1?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1373228898&sr=1-1&keywords=powdered+milk).
Any grocery store will have powdered milk.
As for powdered potatoes, I could see using that in soup or bread (and trust me, just a little potato in homemade bread keeps it fresh MUCH, MUCH longer).
BTW, it wasn’t just poor people who got free cheese, etc. Anyone who was on Social Security, regardless of income or assets, was eligible. My grandmother got commidities, and because it was more than she could possibly use herself, gave some to my parents who in turn passed some of it on to me.
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### Author:  [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/22 "2013-07-07T20:54:33Z")
There was a damn good whole wheat pancakes recipe that called for powered milk that I got from one of the workout magazines a couple years ago. I wish I could find it.
I’m far from a master chef, but can’t powered milk be substituted in many recipes which call for milk?
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### Author:  [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/23 "2013-07-07T21:02:04Z")
I remember powdered eggs all too well from my childhood. We were on welfare, and we were more likely to have powdered eggs than the real thing. No matter how you prepared them they came out as a mushy yellow goo.
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### Author:  [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/24 "2013-07-07T21:04:23Z")
Powdered eggs = nasty.
Powdered egg whites, for baking = genius!!
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/25 "2013-07-07T21:08:11Z")
> [@dalej42](#):
>
> There was a damn good whole wheat pancakes recipe that called for powered milk that I got from one of the workout magazines a couple years ago. I wish I could find it.
>
> I’m far from a master chef, but can’t powered milk be substituted in many recipes which call for milk?
Yes, but in most cases, you have to reconstitute it first.
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### Author:  [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/26 "2013-07-07T21:12:58Z")
Powdered milk is useful for wilderness camping. No one I have ever known has taken powdered eggs, however.
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### Author:  [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/27 "2013-07-07T21:17:57Z")
> [@njtt](#):
>
> Potato.
>
> Sometimes dried potato comes as flakes of little lumps, but I have also seen it as powder, and even had some quite recently. You can use it to make mash, but that is not very good. However, I use it in certain recipes where the real potato taste and texture would be submerged anyway, and using the dried stuff is a lot quicker than peeling, boiling and mashing.
Oh yes. I forgot. I always keep a packet of powdered potato on hand to rescue mashed dishes that have become too wet. I like the taste and the consistency.
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### Author:  [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/28 "2013-07-07T21:18:13Z")
I recently bought powdered buttermilk to make dry ranch seasoning.
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### Author:  [@alted315](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alted315)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/29 "2013-07-07T21:20:35Z")
of course there’s **POWDERED TOAST
[http://http://youtu.be/xe2BUPqPSx4](http://http://youtu.be/xe2BUPqPSx4)**
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/30 "2013-07-07T21:39:46Z")
I read _Modernist Cuisine_, and they were very fond of using dried potato flakes in potato recipes as a way to goose potato flavor. One involved sauteing dried potato flakes in butter.
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### Author:  [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)
#### Post date: [July 7, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/31 "2013-07-07T21:48:14Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> I’ve heard veterans talk about powdered eggs in the military. Not very fondly either. 🙂
>
> Does anyone in the regular world buy powdered eggs? I can’t ever recall seeing them at the grocery stores. What aisle would they be on?
>
> I haven’t seen powdered milk since the 1980’s Government give away program. (they gave huge blocks of cheese and powdered milk to the poor).
>
> What other powdered foods are available for my culinary delight? 😛
>
> Lets ignore dehydrated food that survivalists, camping, and backpackers buy from specialty places.
I’ve seen powdered butter and honey at my local Winco lately, and have powdered milk in my pantry. I also keep powdered buttermilk on hand for baking purposes (buying fresh, we’d either have to drink extra that neither of us cares for or dump it, and I object to the waste).
Check out places like [www.emergencyessentials.com](http://www.emergencyessentials.com) for more :). (Note: I have no financial affiliation with the site in question.)
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/32 "2013-07-08T01:25:30Z")
That’s probably the main use for them. It works out really well for any packaged baking mix.
> [@gaffa](#):
>
> Powders milk and eggs are used in a lot of foods you might buy, like all-in-one pancake and cake mixes.
I was pleasantly surprised how much powdered/instant mashed potatoes have improved. I recall the ones from my childhood with disgust. They were like white paste. Thirty years later I decided to buy a couple packages on sale. They were really good! Not homemade good. But a big improvement over the product sold in the 70’s.
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### Author:  [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/33 "2013-07-08T01:42:01Z")
When I was cooking deep fried chicken for a living, we’d use powdered eggs for the egg wash part of the recipe. And I’m certain that I’ve eaten them while I was camping at one point or another.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/34 "2013-07-08T01:56:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#):
>
> I was pleasantly surprised how much powdered/instant mashed potatoes have improved. I recall the ones from my childhood with disgust. They were like white paste. Thirty years later I decided to buy a couple packages on sale. They were really good! Not homemade good. But a big improvement over the product sold in the 70’s.
The difference is that they are now made by freeze-drying actual potato bits.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/35 "2013-07-08T02:18:11Z")
> [@Seanette](#):
>
> I’ve seen powdered butter and honey at my local Winco lately, and have powdered milk in my pantry. I also keep powdered buttermilk on hand for baking purposes (buying fresh, we’d either have to drink extra that neither of us cares for or dump it, and I object to the waste).
>
> Check out places like [www.emergencyessentials.com](http://www.emergencyessentials.com) for more :). (Note: I have no financial affiliation with the site in question.)
What’s the point of powdered honey, unless it was to be used like sugar? Honey doesn’t spoil unless it has something in it that does.
As for powdered peanut butter, I’ve seen that at my local natural foods store. I’m sure there’s a specific use for that too.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/36 "2013-07-08T02:36:49Z")
I saw powdered milk just yesterday at my local Aldi (they keep it with flour, sugar and other baking ingredients.) Given that Aldi doesn’t waste a lot of space, there must be people buying it for more than just mixing it into batter.
As for powdered eggs, I saw them at a local Whole Foods store.
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/37 "2013-07-08T02:51:40Z")
I keep a packet of powdered milk in my cupboard, for emergencies when I run out of liquid milk and need a cup of tea quickly. Not as good as the real thing, but better than nothing.
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### Author:  [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/38 "2013-07-08T03:04:26Z")
We keep a supply of powdered milk around in case we lose power for a long stretch. Sometimes I’ll use a bit to make chocolate milk or put some in instant coffee.
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### Author:  [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/39 "2013-07-08T04:22:06Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#):
>
> What’s the point of powdered honey, unless it was to be used like sugar? Honey doesn’t spoil unless it has something in it that does.
I was baffled by that item myself. 🙂
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### Author:  [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)
#### Post date: [July 8, 2013, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-anyone-buy-powdered-eggs-or-milk-anymore-what-other-powdered-foods-are-available/662887/40 "2013-07-08T04:42:19Z")
Years ago buying dry milk was a money-saving option. In New Hampshire where I do most of my shopping, it has been 10 years or more since that was true. It is now cheaper to buy fresh milk. I still buy it because powdered milk is especially convenient for bread recipes. Fresh milk has enzymes that interfere with the yeast, and pasteurization does not raise the temperature enough to destroy them. It has to be scalded, then cooled to lukewarm, which is time-consuming and inconvenient. With dry milk, you just add it with the other dry ingredients and substitute water for the liquid. I also use dry in a few other recipes that I make rarely, like fudge and some cake recipes. For drinking purposes, reconstituted dry milk is frankly nasty. If it’s going to be cooked a long time, there is no difference I can tell between fresh and dry.
I also use powdered potatoes in bread recipes. Fresh mashed potatoes works better, but powder is a lot more convenient and the difference isn’t huge. I’ve never tried dry eggs. I’ve seen them in the store a time or two but they weren’t cheaper than fresh, so what’s the point?
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