Milk powder, also known as dried milk or powdered milk, is a dairy product created by dehydrating liquid milk through various drying processes until it becomes a fine, granular powder. This manufacturing innovation serves primarily to extend milk's shelf life significantly, eliminating the need for refrigeration and reducing its bulk for more economical transportation and storage. It's produced by first pasteurizing milk, then concentrating it through evaporation to remove a large percentage of its water content, and finally, often by spray-drying, where the concentrated milk is atomized into a hot chamber to evaporate the remaining moisture. Milk powder comes in various forms, including whole milk powder (containing full fat), skimmed milk powder (fat-free), buttermilk powder, and whey powder, each with distinct uses in baking, confectionery, infant formulas, and as a convenient, rehydratable dairy source, especially in areas with limited access to fresh milk.