The Core Ingredients in Peak Milk
Peak Milk, an iconic brand produced by FrieslandCampina WAMCO, uses a variety of ingredients to create its different product lines, including full cream milk powder, evaporated milk, and dairy creamers. While all products start with cow's milk, the specific formulation varies significantly based on the product. The two main ingredient profiles are those using purely milk solids and those using a blend of milk solids and vegetable oil.
Full Cream Milk Varieties
Peak's premium full cream milk products, such as the Peak Gold Full Cream Evaporated Milk and Instant Full Cream Milk Powder, are made primarily from high-quality, pure cow's milk. To increase shelf life and stability, these products undergo a careful manufacturing process.
- Evaporated Milk: Fresh cow's milk is first evaporated to remove a significant portion of its water content, resulting in a richer, thicker liquid. The milk is also sterilized before packaging to ensure it remains safe and fresh for an extended period. Vitamins and minerals are added to fortify the product and boost its nutritional profile.
- Milk Powder: High-quality cow's milk is pasteurized, concentrated, and then spray-dried into a fine, dissolvable powder. An emulsifier like soy lecithin is often added to the powder to ensure it dissolves easily in water, preventing clumping.
Filled Milk and Creamer Varieties
To offer more affordable options, Peak also produces "filled" products and creamers. The key difference here is the replacement of some or all of the milk fat with vegetable oil.
- Filled Evaporated Milk: Products like Peak Filled Evaporated Milk contain skimmed milk, buttermilk, and milk permeate, but use vegetable oil to replace the dairy fat. Stabilizers and a vitamin premix are also included to ensure the product's consistency and nutritional value.
- Dairy Creamer Powder: This variant is made from a blend of skimmed milk solids and vegetable oil. It also includes other ingredients like maltodextrin, sucrose, and various stabilizers and vitamins. This product is specifically designed to enrich the taste of tea and coffee.
The Manufacturing and Fortification Process
The manufacturing of Peak Milk products is a multi-step process that ensures a consistent, high-quality, and nutritious end product.
- Sourcing Raw Milk: The process begins with sourcing fresh, quality raw milk from local dairy farmers and international suppliers, primarily in Holland.
- Quality Control and Testing: Upon arrival at the processing plant, the raw milk undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets strict quality standards.
- Processing and Pasteurization: The milk is then pasteurized to eliminate any harmful bacteria. Depending on the final product, the milk may be separated into cream and skimmed milk.
- Concentration and Drying: For evaporated milk, water is removed through evaporation. For milk powder, the concentrated liquid is spray-dried into a powder. For filled products, vegetable oil is added at this stage.
- Fortification: Key vitamins and minerals are added to the milk to enhance its nutritional profile. These typically include Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, calcium, and B vitamins.
- Packaging and Sealing: The final product is packaged in airtight tins, pouches, or TetraPaks to guarantee freshness and a long shelf life.
A Comparison of Peak Milk Varieties
The table below highlights the key differences between Peak's main milk product categories, helping consumers understand what they are purchasing.
| Feature | Full Cream Milk (Powder/Liquid) | Filled Evaporated Milk | Dairy Creamer Powder | 
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Fat Source | Cow's milk fat | Vegetable oil and minimal milk fat | Vegetable oil | 
| Base Dairy | Whole cow's milk | Skimmed milk and buttermilk | Skimmed milk solids | 
| Cholesterol Level | Naturally higher | Low cholesterol option | Low cholesterol | 
| Primary Use | Drinking, cooking, baking | Tea, coffee, cooking, drinking | Whitening tea and coffee | 
| Creaminess & Taste | Rich, creamy, and buttery taste | Lite and creamy, with a neutral taste | Smooth and satisfying addition to hot beverages | 
Conclusion: More Than Just Simple Milk
What is Peak Milk made of? The answer is not singular but depends on the product in question. While its premium full cream products are made from pure cow's milk, its more budget-friendly filled and creamer versions contain a blend of milk solids and vegetable oil. The consistent factor across all varieties is the careful manufacturing process and fortification with essential vitamins and minerals, which ensures a high-quality, nutritious, and shelf-stable product for various uses, from cooking and baking to simply enjoying as a drink. This versatility and commitment to nutrition explain why the brand has remained a trusted household name for generations.
To learn more about the production and quality assurance processes, you can visit the official Peak Milk website.