Condensed milk is milk from which water has been removed and to which sugar has been added, yielding a very thick, sweet product that can last on the shelf for years. Also known as "sweetened condensed milk", the two terms have become synonymous; though there have been unsweetened condensed milk products they are uncommon.
Condensed milk is used in numerous dessert dishes, and by the Vietnamese to make their unique coffee (Cafe Sua Da ).
Condensed milk was developed in the mid-1800's by Gail Borden, Jr. in reaction to difficulties in storing milk for more than a few hours. See the About.com articles (below) for further information.
A related product is evaporated milk, which has undergone a more complex process and which is not sweetened.
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