Among most consumer foods, milk has one of the widest varieties to choose from. In most stores, you will be met with options like fermented, pasteurized, and cultured.
With pasteurization being an important safety process, it begs the question of whether all other milk products undergo this vital process. So is cultured milk pasteurized? What about the other milk options?
We will be looking at the three milk options and what they are and whether they all undergo the pasteurization process.
What Does it Mean When Milk Is Cultured?
Cultured milk refers to milk that has been fermented. This process involves the introduction of bacteria that causes lactic acid to form which gives the milk its sour taste.
The most common bacteria that are involved in the culturing process are Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria, both of which are safe for consumption.
Cultured milk has a thick and fat-like consistency. It is also worthwhile to note that fermented and cultured milk is the same.
What is Pasteurized milk?
Pasteurized milk refers to heat-treated milk. The process of treating milk with high temperatures and rapid cooling before packaging is called pasteurization.
Most milk products with a pasteurization label will have undergone this safety process. Any milk classified for general public consumption must be pasteurized depending on local laws.
Any milk that is not pasteurized is referred to as raw milk. This is generally fresh milk from goats or cows that is untouched by any other process.
Is Cultured Milk Pasteurized?
As mentioned above, it is important to note that all milk meant for commercial use must be pasteurized. It is a health safety procedure to heat treat milk.
The high temperature will get rid of all flu-causing bacteria. If you produce your own milk it is important to boil it to replicate this industrial process for your own health.
It is not advised to consume raw milk no matter how clean the production process is.
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Is there any Difference Between Cultured and Pasteurized Milk?
It is important to note that most commercially available milk is pasteurized but not all pasteurized milk is cultured. Fresh milk may also be pasteurized.
Culturing adds good bacteria to pasteurized milk. It is easier to remember pasteurization as just a heat-treating process to eliminate bad bacteria.
Benefits of cultured Milk
So are there any benefits to consuming this sour yet tasty milk product? I did my research and this is what I found out about consuming cultured milk.
According to studies cultured milk is good for your skin. It prevents water loss and alleviates dermatitis inflammation.
Due to the process of fermentation which involves either Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria bacteria, the milk is partially broken down. This means cultured milk has lower traces of lactose which is particularly good for lactose intolerant individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fermented/cultured milk good for ulcers?
According to studies regular intake of cultured milk has been shown to reduce the risk of ulcers whereas a high intake of milk increased the risk of ulcers. This may be attributed to the probiotic bacteria that ferment the milk.
Is fermented milk good for H pylori?
Research shows that drinking a fermented milk beverage containing multiple types of bacteria daily for 12-16 weeks improves stomach symptoms caused by H. pylori infection.
is fermented milk good for pregnancy?
Fermented food is safe to consume during pregnancy. Fermented food contains bacteria which improves the bacterial composition in the gut. Studies have shown that bacterial gut has an impact on the immune system of the baby.
However, any fermented milk product should have undergone pasteurization for it to be deemed safe. Unpasteurized fermented milk may have harmful bacteria.