WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PASTEURIZED AND ULTRA PASTEURIZED MILK?

One of the most popular health drinks in India, milk is a nutrient-rich beverage that’s highly beneficial for your health in a number of ways. Considered to be an essential part of our nutrition, it is one of the few habits that we carry on since our childhood and continue as adults. With an extremely high nutritional value, milk is an excellent source of high quality protein and calcium. Today, we have a range of brands that offer both pasteurized and ultra pasteurized milk. Wondering what’s the difference between the two? Let’s explore.

The pasteurization of milk involves quickly heating then cooling it to destroy harmful bacteria and microorganisms present in the milk. Based on the way they’re pasteurised, there are two different types of milk available in the market- Pasteurized and Ultra Pasteurized milk.

Pasteurized Milk

This is your regular milk; the one that needs to be consumed within a week. Pasteurized milk is usually heated to a temperature of 161 degree F for 15 seconds and then rapidly cooled to 39 degrees. This process of pasteurization destroys most of the harmful bacteria and microorganisms present in the milk. Any microbes that might have survived this process can be kept inactive through active refrigeration. This would also prevent the milk from spoiling before the expiry date. Once opened, pasteurized milk needs to be consumed as soon as possible.

Ultra Pasteurized Milk

Also known as UHT milk, Ultra Pasteurized milk is heated to a temperature of 280 degree F for 2 seconds. This process of sterilization destroys all the harmful bacteria and microorganisms that normal pasteurization may have missed. The milk is simultaneously processed through heating and cooling stages. The whole process takes place in a closed system under sterile conditions, after which the milk is packaged into sterile containers. This combination of sterilization and packaging prevents the milk from any sort of contamination.

Pasteurized vs. Ultra Pasteurized Milk

Let us now highlight some of the main differences between Pasteurized and Ultra Pasteurized milk.

• The first thing you’ll notice about ultra pasteurized or UHT treated milk is that it has a noticeably thicker texture and slightly sweeter taste compared to pasteurized milk.
• Compared to pasteurized milk’s week long shelf life, ultra pasteurized milk has an extended shelf life up to 6 months. Ultra pasteurized or UHT treated milk is processed through UHT treatment, where the milk is heated at temperature ranging from 135-150 degree Celsius for 1-8 seconds before being cooled and packed in sterile tetra packs. This process removes any bacteria or microorganisms that may have escaped in normal pasteurization. A combination of its unique packaging and UHT treatment gives ultra pasteurized milk an extended shelf life without the use of preservatives.
• Unlike pasteurized milk, ultra pasteurized milk comes in a unique six-layered aseptic packaging, which prevents your milk from contamination. In this process of packaging, both the product and the package are separately sterilized.
• Unlike pasteurized milk, ultra pasteurized milk doesn’t require boiling. The UHT treatment of the milk gets rid of almost all bacteria or microorganisms that may spoil the milk. On the other hand, pasteurized milk needs to be boiled before consumption.

While there are factors that make ultra pasteurized or UHT treated milk different from pasteurized milk, they do have similar nutritional values. There’s a long list of brands that offer both pasteurized and ultra pasteurized milk, but one that truly stands out is Lactel Milk. France’s No.1 milk brand, Lactel Milk has launched a range of classic milk and milk adapted to special needs in India. One of the first few players to introduce ultra pasteurized or UHT treated milk, Lactel produces a wide range of milk and milk products adapted to every age. Try them today!