What is the optimal temperature for storing milk?
The temperature at which dairy products are stored directly affects their shelf life and nutritional value.
What happens if milk storage temperature is higher or lower than recommended? At what temperature should goat, cow, coconut, almond and other types of milk be stored?
You will find answers to questions in the article.
Content
At what temperature should it be stored?
According to the recommendation of Rospotrebnadzor, perishable products, which include milk, should be stored at a constant temperature in the range from +2 to +6 degrees. The optimal storage temperature is +4 degrees Celsius.
The sooner after milking the milk is cooled to the specified values, the longer it retains its biological value. Therefore, you should buy raw (farm, homemade) milk from sellers who have a refrigeration chamber.
What happens if the rate gets higher?
The value of milk in its rich composition, which includes:
- proteins,
- fats,
- carbohydrates,
- vitamins and various enzymes.
Such a rich composition is an ideal environment for the development of bacteria, which also need warmth to reproduce. The higher the ambient temperature, the faster the bacterial colony grows.
Raw milk at room temperature remains fresh for no more than 10 hours. Boiled milk will sit for a day until it sours.
Due to the presence of antibacterial substances in the raw product, it has a “bactericidal phase” during which microorganisms do not multiply. This phase lasts 2 hours after milking.If you have time to pasteurize the product at this time, its shelf life will increase significantly.
What happens if it's lower?
With slightly negative readings, the water contained in the drink freezes. Calcium salts become insoluble, many vitamins are destroyed. The nutritional value of the product is significantly reduced.
What if it's constantly changing?
Repeated temperature jumps of more than 2 degrees negatively affect the quality of the product:
- the liquid loses homogeneity (stratifies);
- flakes or sediment may appear;
- a bitter taste appears (enzymes work more actively).
Differences for raw, boiled and other types of product
Depending on the processing of the drink after milking, the period and temperature of its storage changes. Raw milk is more demanding in terms of temperature parameters. It remains usable at +2 +4 degrees for 48 hours. When the indicator increases by 2-3 points, spoilage of the product occurs within 8 hours.
Pasteurized or boiled at home retains its properties for 3 days at +6 degrees and up to 5 days at +2. After opening the container, the factory-pasteurized drink is kept in the refrigerator at +2 +6 degrees for up to 8 days. Without compromising the integrity of the packaging, the product is stored for 2 to 6 months at a temperature of +5 +6 degrees.
Condensed milk with sugar in a tin can will not spoil for up to 8 months at temperatures up to +18 degrees. Milk concentrate is canned food with an unlimited shelf life, subject to temperature conditions from +2 to +15 degrees.
After opening the original package, coconut milk is stored at +2 +4 degrees for no more than 70 hours. Soy milk, not sterilized, in a tightly closed, clean container, at a temperature of +1 to +6 degrees retains its quality for up to 7 days. A pasteurized product under the same conditions does not spoil for up to 30 days.
Almond, prepared at home, will remain fresh for 12-18 hours without boiling. at a standard temperature of +4 degrees. The factory pasteurized product remains fresh for 5-6 days after opening the package.
Rice, oat and hemp drinks only resemble milk in color and taste, but they are rich in calcium, carbohydrates and vitamins, and are suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Store these liquids in the refrigerator at +2 +4 degrees for no more than 3 days.
Natural camel milk holds the record for longest shelf life among drinks of animal origin. Not boiled, in a cool place, it does not spoil for about a month. After pasteurization, the drink can be stored in a tightly closed container for up to six months.
Read about storing UHT milk Here, pasteurized - here, boiled - in this article, home - in this. You can find out how to store goat milk Here And here, coconut - in this article, dry - in this.
Adviсe
After purchasing a raw product or opening the packaging of a factory-made drink, it should be immediately poured into a clean and dry container and put in the refrigerator. Large volumes are placed under running ice water in a bath for rapid cooling.
Conclusion
The optimal temperature for storing any milk is +4 degrees. To maintain high product quality, it is important to avoid changes in this indicator throughout the storage process.
