I took some powdered whole milk from a bulk store along on my last trip. We used it in a package of instant pudding. It tasted terrible. 2 of the 4 of us could not eat it and the other 2 had to work to get it down. You know, when you carried it you hate to toss it in the fire! We went back to the instant skim powder from Zehr's.
I bought some more (from a different bulk store) after we got back because we all thought that the stuff had just been old and it went bad. The smell of the powder smelt familiar so I thought I would do a test.
Using 3 glasses I put in chocolate Nesquik.
The first with my 1% milk, the second with the whole milk powder mixed 1:4 ratio with water and in the third straight water.
The water was terrible, the powder a bit better but still had the same bad taste as on the trip and the 1% milk was good. These were all cold drinks. I even warmed up the milk because it was a bit colder than the others. I also mixed the whole milk powder in the water (& dissolved the lumps) before adding the chocolate.
My "taste vocabulary" is very poor so I can't give you a good description of the taste but it was not sour, sweet or bitter! I added a bit of man's bet friend (no, not a dog) sugar, but there was no real improvement.
Any help out there would be appreciated.

hi,
give this brand of milk a try, probably the best powdered milk I have ever tried.

http://www.rei.com/product/1493.htm

I hope this helps.
Larry

You might try Buttermilk powder - also from the bulk store. A very rich, creamy flavour with a bit of fat content. I've not used it as a stand alone drink, but use it all the time in puddings, granola and any other place where milk is called for.

If you are used to 1% milk, or Skim milk powder from Zehr's, is it possible the whole milk powder tasted too rich (thick)?

I know that I am used to the 1% and taste a difference when drinking homogenized (4.5%?) milk

Rick - where do you buy buttermilk powder?

I have used powdered whole milk from Bulk Barn many times. It tastes much better than skim milk powder but take a bit more care in making up the liquid from powder.

I've been using Pamalat skim milk powder (Low Temperature) produced by the spray dry process for the last 15 years or so. This is not the stuff you find at the grocery store. Contrary to the cheap stuff it contains all essential amino acids. You may find some in your local health food store.
I mix it with my morning granola while the granola is still dry then add the water. It dissolves well, no fuss. It actually tastes better that liquid skim milk and the granola itself is sweet enough as to make this acceptable to even the most finicky of people.
1/4 cup of this low temp powdered milk contains the same amount of complete protein as 330 ml of liquid skim milk.
It can be added to chocolate pudding which it makes thick and creamy and protein rich.
GG

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I think that "They call me Akela" had a good point. I drink 1% all the time. Maybe going "whole" was a shock to my tastebuds.
I should stick with being a 1%er!

I mix dry skim and whole together 50/50. I add a tablespoon of each to my granola. Gives a thicker, more full taste.

A small independant bulk food store here in St. Thomas called Scoops.

It might also be in the baking section of your supermarket near the flour and sugar and baking soda and powder. It is in mine anyway.

If you don't live near St. Thomas, you can get canned Buttermilk Powder, Sour Cream Powder, Tomato Powder etc. etc. from Walton Feed Mills go to: http://waltonfeed.com/

Remember ....if you are bringing their products into Canada don't let them ship using UPS or you will get hosed. Insist they ship by USPS .

Also, I notice that some stuff is now available in Canada from : http://www.survivalpro.com/catalog/

If you don't live near St. Thomas, you can get canned Buttermilk Powder, Sour Cream Powder, Tomato Powder etc. etc. from Walton Feed Mills go to: http://waltonfeed.com/

Remember ....if you are bringing their products into Canada don't let them ship using UPS or you will get hosed. Insist they ship by USPS .

Also, I notice that some stuff is now available in Canada from : http://www.survivalpro.com/catalog/

The bulk barn has powdered buttermilk.

Crazy Larry:
I think from the discussion you are correct, some of the Bulk Barns carry it, but the one here in Guelph doesn't.
If someone knows of a Bulk Barn in KW , Milton, Misissauga etc. I would certainly buy my modest requirements from them.