Dulce de Leche (Caramelized Condensed Milk) - a Prelude to Yema

Dulce de Leche is the moist version of Yema
I vaguely remember a time when I was a child when my Nanay cooked ONE whole unopened can of condensed milk in boiling water for HOURS...I asked her, "What are you making?" and she answered, quite excitedly with a twinkle in her eyes, "Yema." So I waited eagerly....for a loooooong time. Then finally, the cooking was done. My Nanay opened the can of brown "yema" then she poured the contents off into a bowl. My initial (unspoken) reaction was,"Why was it runny?" because I knew yema was solid but chewy soft enough...like soft candy...so what was this brown syrup? But not wanting to displease my Nanay, who so eagerly placed some into a sliced pandesal, and onto a spoon, and handed to me for tasting, I feigned excitement and tasted the 'treat'...and was I so delightfully surprised...YEMA nga!!!! at least in taste. Mmmmm...I ate a lot!

My Nanay only made it once, probably she was also just experimenting based on a friend's directions, then probably got disappointed with the long cooking time that she never made it again, but I would never forget that time.

Only lately did I learn that the proper term for this runny form of yema was DULCE DE LECHE. My Venezuelan co-worker, knowing I enjoy cooking, asked if I like condensed milk-based desserts, and she mentioned dulce de leche, which I asked her to describe how it was prepared...and I could imagine my Nanay back on that particular day...So now, not having the time to spare (and not really eager to spend that much energy on long cooking in these days of aiming for sustainable living by using less fossil fuels), I searched for the recipe online, and for tips/methods to prepare this in the most efficient, energy-saving, and greenest (as in earth-friendly) way I could. I thought it best to do the pressure cooking for at least 5 cans per batch. (And as I mentioned in the past post on yema, I could use the microwave for preparing one can of condensed milk into yellowish yema).

What you need:
condensed milk
water
pressure cooker or microwave

Instructions:

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Method:
Place 1 cup water in the inner pot. Place trivet in. Put the cans (or jars) of condensed milk on top of the trivet. Close and seal the lid. Set Manual on High for 40 mins. When done, allow natural release. I like to leave it alone overnight, that way, I will be very sure that even the pressure inside the can/jar has equalized with the outside pressure, that way, if I open it, I will be sure it will not suddenly explode on me.

Regular Pressure-Cooker Method:
How many cans you want to prepare depends on you and the capacity of your pressure cooker.
Peal the label off the can of sweetened condensed milk. Put in a pressure cooker with enough water to come 2/3 up the can ( or cans ) of condensed milk. DO NOT OPEN THE CAN(S) at all. Seal on the lid and pressure cook for 45-60 minutes (depending on how runny or gel-like you want it), longer for darker and thicker dulce. The pressure in and out of the cans is equalized by the pressure cooker. Release pressure and let cool COMPLETELY before attempting to open one can (the pressure you released was that of the water and air inside the pan, not inside the can. If you take out a hot can and open it right away, the content might suddenly explode because of higher pressure compared to the cool air, much in the same way air and steam escapes quickly when you open the release valve of pressure cooker. You now have SEALED cans of dulce de leche that will keep as long as the original cans uncooked. You may want to eat this as is, or as filling for rolls, or (if runny) as topping for pies or ice cream. Make it thicker (using microwave or by longer pressure cooking time) and you come up with YEMA that is brown in color (optional to add butter and or sugar), the yema that I knew from childhood, wrapped into pyramids with a cellophane. My sons love it, plain or as palaman. (Come ice cream season, I will make a runny batch for topping.)

Microwave Method (ideal for making only one can)
Place in a big microwavable bowl. Microwave on high for 2 minutes, then stir. Microwave for 30 sec to 1 minute or until you see it start to bubble and rise, then stir. Microwave in increments of 30 seconds or less, and stir before it bubbles over the bowl. Repeatedly do the same until you get a good consistency although it may still be yellowish (or light brown). Use oven mitts to protect your hands from heat!
Let cool before you eat.

Comments

  1. Sarap! I add 3 pieces of ground unsalted crackers para di masyadong matamis. :)

    Happy Mother's Day Manang!!!

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  2. Thanks for this! Pressure cookers scare me so I'll try the microwave method. 8-)

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  3. can i make this as filling sa chocolate cake n gagawin ko manang? pano kung walang pressure cooker and microwave pwde b ung convetional oven or big pot lng? thanks

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  4. Hi Ellen, pwede siguro pero hindi ata bagay. In any case, pwede mo gamitin yung microwave (hindi sya magbo-brown nang ganito; stop microwaving as soon as you get a good consistency. Pag hinintay mo magbrown, sobra tigas paglamig. Pag big pot, cook with water above cans, 4 hours boiling.

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  5. manang, do u have a caramel cake recipe? thanks

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  6. Manang,
    Yan pala yun! =p When I was a teenager, I always buy kutsinta from walking vendors with horn (torotot ba yun?)and he puts that dulce de leche topping on top.(Di ko pa alam na dulce de leche pala yun =p) I really loved it kaya minsan umo-order na ako ng whole can sa kanya. That's how they make it huh! yehey! Thanks Manang...yummy na naman ang life ko,Matitikman ko na uli ang aking favorite kutsinta topping. Yumm! Lots of HUGS to Manang K.

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  7. Hi Jane,
    Now that's something new to me -- dulce de leche to top kutsinta. I gotta try that too!

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    Replies
    1. hi po gud am po nagtitinda po kse ako ng dulce de leche spread kso po parang nluluge ako dhil minimix ko po ang evap milk at condense tpos sa sobrang tagal nyang lumapot ang kinalalabas niya onte na lng po ano po kya ang dpat kong gwin pra mbilis sya lumapot at tumagal po pa help nman po

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    2. pede po pala na haluan ng evap..d po b mabilis masira pag gnynn

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  8. hi manang. I'm a 13 year old girl. your blog is really helpful. my mother has been busy when we were born so she had no time to cook delicious viands for me and my two brothers. as soon as i was searching for recipes i clicked at your blog. it has many recipes with easy ingredients. so now, I thank you beacuse my mom cooks food that are very delicious.

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  9. hi anonymous,
    that was very heart-warming of you to leave a message here...thanks!
    I hope you will also try cooking. My oldest son, who is now 15, is helping me with food prep now that I am busy reviewing. He has been using my blog to cook, and has been inspired at times to try something new.

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  10. Hi manang, ask ko lang if you have the recipe of caramel cake like the one i have been ordering somewhere in Makati, its really a house & you can pick up your order...if im not mistaken its called Costa Brava, they are known for their caramel cake...i just thought about it & of course thought about you kasi baka you have the recipe...thanks

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  11. Manang nagpapasalamat ako at napadpad ako sa blog mo.. weeeeeeeeeeeeeee Nice posts, ill try them one of this days. :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Xyza,
    nagpapasalamat din ako at napadpad ka sa blog ko. I hope you will find the ingredients in my recipes. I try to stick to what we have in the Philippines or look for substitute if I can't find the ingredients here.

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  13. Hi Manang, gagawa po sana ako ng caramel para sa banoffee, hindi po ba mag-eexplode yung can sa pressure cooker? tsaka safe po ba? salamat po.

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  14. HI Erika,
    Habang nasa loob sya ng pressure cooker, hindi mag-eexplode yan while you are cooking kasi equal ang pressure inside and out of the can. However, let's say kakatapos mo lang lutuin in the pressure cooker, tapos as soon as na-release ang pressure sa pressure cooker, nilabas mo yung lata at binuksan mo, baka magexplode yan dahil masyado pang mainit. Better to let the can inside the pressure cooker cool down some until completely released na yung pressure sa cooker AND the can has cooled down at least to lukewarm. I would say, leave it alone for at least one hour to be sure, bago mo buksan. :)

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    Replies
    1. hi po.. diba ung usang gatas ngaun parang softdrinks may buksan ndipo ba sya mag eexplode s loob ng pressure cooker

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    2. Maila, hindi pa ako nakakita ng condensed milk na gaya ng sinasabi mo, pero just the same, equal ang pressure outside and inside the can habang nasa pressure cooker. (So same answer as above.)

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  15. hi manang,
    maayong adlaw! i really like checking what's new to discover sa website mo, i even shared it with my sis (miles away from me),madaling hanapin ang mga recipes and it has even a video w/ a step by step instuction...well done manang and more cooking...power pa guid!

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  16. Hi Anonymous, thanks for your feedback and for sharing my site with your sis. Enjoy cooking! :)

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  17. THANKS MANANG SA RECIPE AT PROCEDURE SA DULCE DE CREMA. YAN PALA ANG SINASABI SA AKIN NG MGA PAMANGKIN KO NA TOPPING SA KUTSINTA NA MASARAP. NGAUN MAGAGAWA KO NA PARA SA KANILA.

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    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Anonymous! Minsan pinapapak lang namin to eh. :) Pero siguro, para gawing topping (sa biko or cassava cake), magandang ihalo sa egg yolks...hmmmm...

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    2. Manang.gano katagal shelf life
      Ng dulce de leche?

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    3. Manang ask ko Lang Po kapag kaserola ko siya niluto ilang hours Po siya

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  18. Finally nakagawa din ako after many years :)) Ito favorite ko sa halo halo eh :)) THANKS MANANG, na satisfy na ang cravings ko :))

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    Replies
    1. HI Hazelle, Magandang idea yan sa halo-halo! Enjoy!

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  19. hi manang! thank you sa recipe mo! super thank you sa mga recipes mo! hehehe

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  20. Thank you manang for this! I've been looking for the recipe of dulce de leche and ganito yung hinahanap ko. Favorite ko na kasi to since nung natikman ko to sa naglalakong kutsinta haha

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    Replies
    1. Hi Chel, oo nga, me nag-message/comment na rin noon sa akin na heto yung topping sa kutsinta na hinahanap hanap nya. Enjoy!

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    2. ask po if hindi mo cya bubuksan sa lata ilang buwan po pwede i stock ang dulce de leche d po pa un nasisira sa loob?

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    3. Same po sa question na ito. Ilang buwan po tumataga ang yema pag binuksan na ang lata at nailipat na sa jar. Pls. Reply. Thanks

      Delete
  21. Hi manang! Nung bata pa ako, natutunan ko gumawa ng yema in a different way, yung niluluto mismo ung condensed milk sa kawali na may butter.. Do you think same din ang magiging consistency nun?

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  22. gud pm po manang ako po si charm sinearch ko po ito dahil gusto ko pong maperfect ang pag gawa kasi gusto ko po syang gawing extra income nsa bahay lng po kasi ako
    sa pag kakaintindi ko po sa presure cooker papakuluan ko lng po sya ng mtgl wala n pong ihahalo pa help me po!!

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  23. Hello! Do you put water in the pressure cooker with the cans? Thank you

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  24. hi manang, hehe..(i know im too lazy) can i use something like 1 box of cake mix (either basic yellow or butter cake mix.) instead of chiffon cake? thank you

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    Replies
    1. yes you can, pero iseparate mo yung egg whites, whisk to make meringue then fold the rest of the cake batter para lumutang.

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  25. thank u po manang. tagal ko na hinahanap tong recipe na to. habang hinihintay ko mag 45-60minutes ginagawa ko na po sana success!!

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  26. Hi Manang, thank you for sharing this recipe... for the egg yolk po ilan po ang kailangan for every 1 can of caramelized condensed milk?... for topping and filling po sana sa chiffon cake.. kahit po b walang egg yolk ok sya for topping and filling sa cake?... one last question po hehe.. What if po 60mins ko po sa pressure cooker then i will leave it alone po for one hour before opening the can.. may possibility po b na super thick n niya to spread as a filling sa cake?... Thank you and God bless!

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  27. manang iloveyou

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  28. Hi Manang! thnx so much for the recipe! eto po ang paborito kong toppings sa halo2. Tinatanong ko po yung nagbebenta ng halo2 kung pano gawin yun yema nia kc astig para sakin na nasa lata pa. d p nabubuksan. (haha ignorante) pero ayaw nia po sabihin. dhil secret recipe daw po nia yun. pwes ngayon hnd na!! hahaha. alam ko na. super thnx -from Janah :-)

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    Replies
    1. Janah, there you go! Hindi na secret ang fave mong halo-halo topping.

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  29. Manang, this is what i like to make. What is more tasty yema or dulce de leche for toppings? How can i make toppings, how many eggyolks to put and what more to add . Is it not so sweet maybe? I want to try pls help me. Wants to make as a presence in birthday occassion. Wait for your response...many thanks!

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  30. manang, thanks a lot. ngayon alam ko na pano gawin.
    i love you po more power!

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  31. manang pwd po isteam nlng?
    kc wla po akong microwave

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  32. manang puef po b pkuluan ln un tipo babad s tubi kc la po microwave o steamer..kya try q po xa s pakuluan s tubig..ngbrown nmn po xa..

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  33. Manang nagpakulo po ako ng 2 cans of condensed sa ordinary kaldero lang then nung inopen ko sya d pa sya nag brown then pinakuluan ko ulit pero d pa din sya nagiging yema. Natatakot po kasu ko gumamit ng pressure cooker baka po kasi sumabog.

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  34. hi manang curious lang po pede ko ba ihalo yun yema sa leche flan?

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    Replies
    1. maria arabella, hindi ko pa nasubukan eh...sorry...

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  35. Pwede rin po ba yang gawing yema spread? gaano po katagal ang shelf life? thanks. :)

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  36. Manang. Gano katagal naglalast ung yema spread

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  37. Manang. Gano katagal naglalast ung yema spread

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    Replies
    1. Yung dulce de leche sa lata, kung hindi mo bubuksan yung lata, indefinite shelf life yan. Pag binuksan mo na, keep in the fridge, and watch out na hindi matuyo or else mag-crystallize yung sugar.

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  38. manang ung 45-60 mins po ba ksama na dun pag start palang o pag kumukulo na ung tubig sa pressure cooker?

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    Replies
    1. Pag tumaas na yung pressure, start timing.

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  39. Manang, san po ako makakabili nito? Mandaluyong area lang po please thanks

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    Replies
    1. Sayang naman mam.. Gumagawa ako ng dulce de leche with free delivery kaso around pangasinan lang sa near areas..

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  40. manang, ngtry ako as in ngayun lang na imicrowave yung gatas, tama ka tumigas cia as in parang kareba na pag msydao matagal... mgttry ulit ako bukas hehe.. tenk u po :)

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  41. Manang, ask ko lang pede ba yan palaman? Thank you 😘

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  42. Hi Manang! Matagal ko na alam lutuin to pero hindi ko ginagawa dahil hindi ko alam na pwede pala ito sa microwave at pressure cooker haha! In a regular basis, you need to boil cans for a minimum of 6 hours kaya hindi ko ginagawa. Gawin ko man, madami ako ginagawa para di sayang sa LPG. Haha. Buti nabasa ko to. Thank you so much!

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  43. Hi Manang! Panu po oorasan na 45-60mins.? Pag boiling pount na pk ba or once na isalang yung pressure cooker?

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    Replies
    1. Pag boiling na at sumisipol na yung pressure cooker.

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  44. Hello, ano po shelf life ng yema spread? thank you.

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  45. Hello Manang permission to post a comment. Advise ko lang po Mam ang inyong mga followers/friends na ako po ay gumagawa ng Home made Dulce de leche or otherwise called as yema spread. At first naka 5x ako ng trial for cooking together with my sisters. Given na ilan na kaming sama samang gumawa pero di namin makuha kuha yung tamang pagkaluto. Grbe it really took so much patience talaga bago namin maperfect. So using the right timeline and techniques, we finally then got it right and ngayon po thank God at unti unti pong nagboboom ang aming munting business at dumarami po ang orders for retail and resell. I encourage everyone to try our Dulce de Leche ☺
    Mangyari lamang po na ikontak po ako, Kristine Aficial sa aking number
    09062845855/09267209749
    Facebook
    Shingshang Shong
    Email
    Kristineaficial31@gmail.com


    Thank you very much po.
    Thanks Manang. God bless

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    Replies
    1. hi po! ano po shelf life ng yema spread nyo?

      Delete
  46. Hello po manang..pag 40mins po ba nakasalang di po ba delikado sa pressure cooker kc yung tubig po sa loob ng pressure cooker umoonti.?

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    Replies
    1. Yung 40 mins na cooking time under pressure ay maikli enough para hindi maubos yung 1 to 2 inches of water sa loob. Keep in mind na selyadong maigi ang pressure cooker kaya nagbi-build up ng pressure. Which follows na hindi madali mag-escape ang steam, so hindi madali mauubos ang tubig.

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  47. Hi Manang!

    Thank you sa ilang taon na palang recipe mo sa blog na ito..
    Through reading i learned new ways to prepare this dulce de leche..
    Salamat din sa mga nag comments. I enjoyed reading them, seeing their numbers really means your blog is one of the few trusted and well loved one.

    More Power to you!

    //martiano

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  48. Hi Manang!

    Thank you sa ilang taon na palang recipe mo sa blog na ito..
    Through reading i learned new ways to prepare this dulce de leche..
    Salamat din sa mga nag comments. I enjoyed reading them, seeing their numbers really means your blog is one of the few trusted and well loved one.

    More Power to you!

    //martiano

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Martian, Salamat sa comment mo :) . Wanna see the more popular ones? Look at my spanish bread, pandesal, at ensaymada recipes.

      Delete
  49. Hi manang ask ko lang po kung paano gumawa ng dulce de leche yung nakalubog lang po sa tubig? Paano po yun?

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    Replies
    1. Pakukuluan mo yung lata for at least about an hour yata. Not sure how long to achieve yung color and texture you want. YOu will have to experiment. Make sure it does not dry out. Good luck!

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  50. Hi manang, ask ko lang if you have the recipe of caramel cake like the one i have been ordering somewhere in Makati, its really a house & you can pick up your order...if im not mistaken its called Costa Brava, they are known for their caramel cake...i just thought about it & of course thought about you kasi baka you have the recipe...thanks

    ReplyDelete
  51. hi all.if your having trouble looking for the best glass or plastic quality jars for your yema spread.you can contact 0956-274-3662 and look for ice.cheapest supplier ever.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Kung ililipat po sa container ang yema from lata. Mga ilang araw po itatagal nit? Thanks manang.

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    Replies
    1. As long as yung container ay relatively airtight para hindi matuyot at mag-crystallize habang naka-refrigerator, matagal din sya tumatagal. Hindi naman prone sa amag dahil sa sobrang tamis (the sugar acts as preservative).

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    2. Hello po..bakit po minsan si yema spread wla pa po 1month nag bubbles na po sya?

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  53. Hello po. Na try nyo na po bang i-boil ang easy open can? Hindi po ba sya sasabog? Salamat po.

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  54. Wala pobang bad side effect kapag pinakuluan ng matagal ang lata?

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  55. Wala pob bad side effect kapag pinakuluan ng matagal ang lata?

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  56. Hi po good day, gusto ko po mag benta ng ganito spread,itatanong ko lang po kung meron din ba siya expiration? Or ilang days po Ng itatagal niya?
    Thanks

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  57. A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. Organic ghee

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  58. Hi manang i cooked yema spread /dulce de leche for my business,, ask q lang po ano po kaya magandang ihalo sa kanya para mas tumagal sya.... Salamat po in advance 😊😊

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  59. Hello Manang, It helped me on how to prepare it well. But how to prolong its life if I put it on a plastic jar sealed with induction liner cap? Thank you!

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  60. Hello po. Any tips po on how I can prolong the shelf life of yema spread? Ung mga commercially available po kasi na homemade nakikita ko kayanh umabot 6 months.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hello po. Any tips po on how I can prolong the shelf life of yema spread? Ung mga commercially available po kasi na homemade nakikita ko kayanh umabot 6 months.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Hello po. Any tips po on how I can prolong the shelf life of yema spread? Ung mga commercially available po kasi na homemade nakikita ko kayanh umabot 6 months.

    ReplyDelete
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  66. Helo po pag hindi po nakuha ang gustong consistency pwedipo ba pakuluan ulit?ty po

    ReplyDelete

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