Nestle NIDO Dry Whole Milk

Milk for the backcountry that tastes a lot like milk. Whole milk with milkfat retained. Great for breakfast cereals, in coffee, in meals and can even be drunk by itself.

Nothing like the powdered non-fat milk commonly sold here in the US, Nestle's NIDO Dry Whole Milk is worth the effort to track down. The ingredients are simple; whole milk and a tiny bit (0.2%) of soy lecithin as an emulsifier. Being whole milk may contribute to the surprisingly good flavor, but it definitely adds some light to carry fat calories to a backcountry diet.

Instructions say to use warm water to reconstitute, but I just pour cold water into a bag with granola cereal and the NIDO powder and get good results. I also use it along with cheese powder to create a creamy tasting sauce for dinners. I don't put milk in my coffee but I have a feeling it would make a pretty good creamer based on the taste.

There is a slight odor issue, but having been raised on a dairy farm my nose is very sensitive when it comes to milk. It isn't a bad smell, sort of like steamed milk. It just seems to get my attention.

As you may notice from the packaging this is an international product produced in the Netherlands. There are other products sold under the NIDO name so look closely before purchasing.

I can definitely recommend Nestle's NIDO Dry Whole Milk for use on the trail or even at home for most purposes. If you really need a glass of milk to go with your cookies this stuff would probably work, but as part of a hot meal or with cereal in the morning it definitely does the trick. With its high fat content it is an easy to carry way for a thru hiker, or anyone really, to add some useful calories to their trail diet.