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What is the difference between fresh milk and UHT milk?

The Sanitarium Nutrition Service
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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Question: What is the difference between fresh milk and UHT milk?

Answer:

Fresh milk, often referred to as homogenised and pasteurised milk, is sold in the chilled food section of the supermarket. It has a short shelf life and must be kept below 4°C to maintain freshness. Ultra heat treated (UHT) milk, which is sometimes called long-life milk, is slightly different. It has had extra treatment which enables it to be stored at room temperature (as long as it is unopened) for extended periods.

Both fresh milk and UHT milk have undergone pasteurisation and homogenisation before packaging and sale to consumers. Pasteurisation involves heating the milk to 72°C for 15 seconds to kill harmful bacteria that may be present. The milk is rapidly chilled, before homogenisation commences. This involves passing the milk through a fine nozzle to create a smooth, creamy taste and texture.

Fresh milk is then packaged and refrigerated, while UHT milk is exposed to a more powerful heat treatment to inactivate harmful bacteria. This allows the milk to be stored out of the fridge while it is unopened. It is important to chill UHT milk once it has been opened.

This information is provided by the Sanitarium Nutrition Service.

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User comments
I like both fresh and UHT milk but for convenience I always tend to buy UHT. Sometimes too in the warmer climates, I worry that the fresh milk, even though it has a good date on it, may not last as long.
I always keep a spare carton of UHT milk in the pantry for emergencies as my husband gets nervous when we only have about half a bottle left. We don't find much or any difference in the taste so I confidently buy it. Also, if you buy a generic brand UHT it's much cheaper than fresh. Does anyone know if there's any nutritional difference between fresh & UHT?
I find uht creamier than fresh & that is skim milk. Only problem is I don't like cream.
Is their much of a difference in calories & nutrients regarding UHT milk & natural milk. I buy UHT milk, 4 I generally use 6-7 litres. N I only go shopping weekly, so I'm worried that the fersh milk will go sour in the meantime. 4 I only go 2 the shops via a carer.4 I have quite a few meal replacement meals 4 I'm in the process of getting my jaw operated on, recently getting a bone graft put in2 my jaw & am due 4 implants (10 teeth) 2 be put in, in 1 months time. N the bone graft is showing, so I'm not allowed 2 chew any thing, Is it less healthy 4 me 2 be having the UHT milk whilst I'm getting all this work done on my bones. I'm taking Omega 3 Fish oil + Ginkgo 3000, calcium & Magnesium with Vitamin D3 & also Benifex Multi Vitamin & Mineral Tablets whilst I'm going through the jaw operations? Your aqnswers 2 my questions would be muchly ppreciated. THANKING YOU MUCHLY Claire
when my late husband had been operated on for throat cancer long life milk was all he could drink..he said fresh milk hurt his throat while the long life was smoother so we still use the long life one I suppose we got used to it
Most definitely fresh & chilled milk for me. I wouldn't have it any other way.

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