Increasingly UHT products are becoming more available and, in some instances, replacing fresh options altogether. This change is creating options and assisting people but is it a healthy change? If it is which, do you choose – Fresh or UHT milk? To find the right answers, you need more information so that you can determine if fresh or UHT milk is better for you.
What is UHT?
In accordance with South African law all Orange Grove milk is pasteurised. This is a process through which milk is heated to around 72°C before being packaged for distribution. Pasteurisation kills any bacteria that could be harmful to humans or cause the milk to spoil quickly. Importantly, pasteurisation does not decrease the nutritional content of the milk. Milk that undergoes standard pasteurisation is known as “Fresh Milk.”
UHT is short for Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) processing and is also known as long-life milk. It is essentially an ultra-pasteurisation process whereby milk is heated to 138 – 150°C. It is then packaged in special aseptic packaging. These two additional steps in milk processing enable the milk to have a longer shelf life than fresh milk and be kept outside of the refrigerator until opened. The UHT process does not diminish the nutritional value of milk, it just kills additional microorganisms. Therefore, fresh milk and long-life milk contain the same essential nutrients.
Are UHT Products Safe to Consume?
UHT Milk is safe to consume. It has similar nutritional value to fresh milk. Like fresh milk, it comes without the health risks associated with raw milk. This is because it undergoes the same pasteurisation process which making it safer than raw milk.
During the production of UHT milk products, the milk is heated to a higher temperature than during pasteurisation. This removes any additional non-essential microorganisms. These aren’t harmful to consume nor does removing them decrease the nutritional value of the milk. However, what it does do is make it last for longer and enable UHT milk to be stored on a shelf until opened. Therefore, the result of the UHT’s ultra-pasteurisation process is added advantages and conveniences for consumers.
Is UHT or Fresh Milk Best?
When it comes down to an essential nutrient level, UHT and Fresh milk are similar. This means that the reasons to choose one over the other are linked to convenience and preference, not health. Effectively, UHT milk gives consumers several options and advantages that fresh milk can’t.
Some people find that UHT milk tastes sweeter than fresh milk. This sweeter taste is not due to sugar being added to the milk. When it occurs, it is due to the higher processing temperatures that long-life milk undergoes. Many people prefer this taste to that of fresh milk though others still prefer the taste of fresh milk.
What are the Advantages of Using UHT Milk?
Many South Africans face multiple challenges when it comes to using and keeping fresh milk. This makes UHT milk a more cost-effective and convenient option for them.
Transport and petrol are expensive. This means that doing multiple shopping trips per month might not be affordable. Therefore, bulk buying of milk makes sense and can help save money.
Fresh milk needs to be kept at a low temperature constantly which isn’t always possible when travelling between shops and home. This is especially true in the summer months. Additionally, load-shedding and power outages mean that many don’t have electricity for long periods. Effectively, fridges can’t be kept running and fresh milk goes sour faster when its temperature fluctuates. This makes being able to store most of your milk outside of the fridge until you need it a better option.
Access to fridges or fridge size can limit the practicality of keeping fresh milk. Orange Grove’s UHT milks are available in a range of sizes 250mls, 500mls and 1litre. This means that you can choose how much milk you have open and in your fridge. The balance of your stock may be stored on the shelf, ready for when you need it.
For those who want to take milk to school or work, UHT milk is a great alternative to fresh. It can be kept in your bag until you want to drink it. And smaller sizes, like Orange Grove’s 250ml boxes, are perfect for snacks or single-day usage.
Top 3 Advantages of UHT Milk
- Easy Storage: Can be stored at room temperature until opened.
- Longer lasting: Can be kept for months on a shelf.
- Cost-effective: Can be bought in bulk and then stored.
UHT Milk Options
Orange Grove UHT milk is designed with your needs, convenience, preferences and budget in mind. We offer a range of UHT milk: High Fat (Jersey Gold), Full Cream, Low Fat and Lactose-Free (D’Lacto). Containers are 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre with options to buy singly or in bulk packs.