Powdered milk
Leche en polvo
- Date
- 1855 · confidence low
- Place
- London, United Kingdom
- Credited to
- T. S. Grimwade; Osip Krichevsky; Hatmaker (1902)
- Field
- Life & health
⚠️ Disputed: the sources disagree.
What it is
Milk dehydrated to powder that keeps for months without refrigeration and is rehydrated with water. Grimwade patented an evaporation process in 1855; the industry took off with roller and spray dryers in the early 20th century.
Marco Polo describes dried Mongol milk; the Russian physician Osip Krichevsky produced dried milk in 1802. Priority among Krichevsky, Grimwade and others is disputed; industrial production dates from 1900-1910.
What it led to
- milk for armies, expeditions and tropical countries
- infant milk formula
- export dairy industry (New Zealand)