Many People Doesn't Know the Difference Between Fresh Milk and UHT Milk

"Why is there milk that is put in the refrigerator and some that is only put on the shelf?"

Maybe this question has crossed your mind when choosing milk in the supermarket. The placement of this milk is not arbitrary and is usually placed in the refrigerator or refrigerator is fresh milk. While milk that is only placed on the shelf at normal temperature is UHT milk.

Although the packaging looks similar, both are different types of milk, you know! So, what's the difference between fresh milk and UHT milk?

Fresh Milk
Although it is called 'fresh' milk, it does not mean that this milk is immediately sold to customers without going through a process. Fresh milk still undergoes pasteurization or a heating process to kill bacteria.

Reported from Food & Beverage Reporter, the pasteurization process for fresh milk uses a temperature between 73 and 78°C and is heated for 15 to 18 seconds. Usually fresh milk is packaged in closed cardboard containers.

Sunlight can damage milk, therefore, fresh milk must be stored in a refrigerator or freezer. Dairy Australia states that the optimal temperature for storing fresh milk is around 4°C.

The shelf life or expiration of fresh milk is relatively short, only around 7 to 10 days in the refrigerator. Once opened, fresh milk must still be refrigerated and consumed in less than 7 days.

UHT Milk
UHT or Ultra Heat Treatment milk is milk that has undergone a pasteurization or heating process at high temperatures. The temperatures used range from 135 and 142°C, while the heating time is only 4 to 6 seconds.

Woman and Home Magazine states that UHT milk must be properly packaged aseptically or sterilely. Dairy Australia states that increasing the temperature in UHT milk processing has an impact on reducing bacteria and producing greater heat-resistant enzymes than fresh milk. Therefore, UHT milk has a longer shelf life and does not require a refrigerator to store it.

UHT milk has an expiration date of around 6 months. However, once opened, milk must be stored in the refrigerator and can only be consumed within a maximum of 7 days.