Baked Milk

Baked milk ( , , ) is a variety of boiled milk that has been particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It is made by simmering milk on low heat for eight hours or longer.

History

Baked milk was relatively popular outside of Russia as well. It was deemed more palatable than boiled milk, and was described in medical literature as potentially more digestible. The most simple recipe suggested by 19th-century cookbooks for baked milk instructed one to leave milk in an oven overnight; however more elaborate recipes could be found as well.

In rural areas, baked milk has been produced by leaving a jug of boiled milk in an oven for a day or overnight until it is coated with a brown crust. Prolonged exposure to heat causes reactions between the milk's amino acids and sugars, resulting in the formation of melanoidin compounds that give it a creamy color and caramel flavor. A great deal of moisture evaporates, resulting in a change of consistency. The stove in a traditional Russian loghouse ( izba) sustains "varying cooking temperatures based on the placement of the food inside the oven".

Today, baked milk is produced on an industrial scale. Like scalded milk, it is free of bacteria and enzymes and can be stored safely at room temperature for up to forty hours. Home-made baked milk is used for preparing a range of cakes, pies, and cookies.

Long term consumption of baked milk may help for resolution of milk allergy. However, in some cases, acquired tolerance reverts back to unresolved allergy.

Fermented baked milk

Ryazhenka and varenets are fermented baked milk products, a type of traditional yoghurt. It is a common breakfast drink in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia.

In peasant communities, varenets has been made in the traditional East Slavic oven by "baking sour milk to a golden brown color". In the Soviet era, the name "ryazhenka" came to be applied to a government-produced creme-colored drink without the skin.

In China

In China, the Yihetang chain popularized baked milk ( zh, s=烤奶, p=kǎo nǎi) as an ingredient in bubble tea.

The article notes: "据悉，益禾堂品牌创立于2012年，是武汉熠汇饮科技有限公司旗下的茶饮品牌，因“烤奶”产品为消费者熟知。据悉，目前，益禾堂现有门店超4000家，产品主打平价，定价普遍在8-20元。"

From Google Translate: "It is reported that the Yihetang brand was founded in 2012 and is a tea brand under Wuhan Yihuiyin Technology Co., Ltd. It is well-known to consumers for its "baked milk" products. It is reported that Yihetang currently has more than 4,000 stores, and its products are mainly affordable, with prices generally ranging from 8 to 20 yuan."

See also

* Dulce de leche, a similar preparation used in home-made pastries
* List of baked goods

References

External links

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Milk-based drinks
Russian dairy products
Russian drinks
Ukrainian cuisine
Belarusian cuisine
Milk