Powdered milk dropped in popularity over the past few decades, but it has experienced a bit of a resurgence in recent years, especially during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. If your power is out, all you need to do is add the powder to water and mix.
You can also stock your shelves with liquid milk that has been treated with ultra-high temperature processing (UHT) to make it shelf-stable. Brands like Horizon offer this kind of milk in cardboard Tetra Pak packaging, but one study found that storage temperature may still affect the milk’s quality, so it’s best to keep it stored at around 68 degrees F or below.
Nutritionally, UHT milk is practically identical to other cow’s milk: It packs over 8 g of protein and is a good source of vitamins A and D as well as an excellent source of calcium, according to the USDA.
If you’re vegan or lactose-intolerant, look for a Tetra Pak shelf-stable dairy-free milk that matches dairy milk’s nutritional profile as closely as possible. Unsweetened soy milk, for instance, is a great alternative.
Shelf life: Dry milk, three to five years at cool temperatures; Tetra Pak milk boxes, six months