Did you know that condensed milk is 151 years old? Its creation in 1853 gained popularity wherever milk was unavailable or undrinkable in the heat.

Gail Borden was a surveyor, inventor and businessman who settled in Texas and was known for surveying and laying out Galveston.

He developed a meat biscuit in 1851, and after several failed attempts, finally developed a method to make condensed milk. Obtaining a patent from the U.S. Patent Office was difficult, but Borden was finally granted his patent in 1856.

In the beginning condensed milk was business failure. Then, with financial backing, Borden founded the New York Condensed Milk Company, later renamed Borden Inc., which grew into the largest dairy in the U.S.

Condensed milk is milk reduced by evaporation, with sugar added. One can (14 ounces) is the same as a quart of whole milk with 7 ounces of sugar.

Filed Under: Culinary History