The Main Types Of Milk On The Market

Milk is one of the key foods in the life of human beings. From birth to old age, this important food is present in a large part of our daily diet .

For this reason, it is important to know more about the different types of milk on the market today. In this way it will be possible to choose more appropriately and consciously. Based on the specific needs of family members.

The different types of milk that exist on the market

In the different phases of life, milk is an element capable of providing calories, vitamins and proteins necessary for the correct development of the organism. Although its main element is water, it includes a large variety of elements, fats and minerals, some of which play a decisive role in our health.

Milk is, without a doubt, one of the main sources of energy. It can be taken directly from the animal’s udder, although a more careful consumption is preferable, after passing certain analyzes and the normal processes of control and purification.

Over time, man has learned to work with milk, developing a great variety of different products, each available according to use: butter, cheese, yogurt. In terms of treatment, once milked and collected, milk arrives on the market, basically, in two versions:

• Pasteurized.
• Thermized.

Although these two types of milk can be found easily in shops and supermarkets, it is also true that the presentation of the milk can vary. In this sense, the differentiation is even greater, and includes: whole, skimmed, semi-skimmed milk, long-life milk, powdered milk and so on …

Differences between the different types of milk

Raw milk

Raw milk is obtained directly from the udder of the animal. Its flavor is usually much stronger than that of the milk that has been processed. One of the main characteristics that differentiate this milk from processed products, in addition to its flavor, is its  nutritional value.

The reason? Even those bacteria that can be harmful to human health are eliminated during milk processing .

Pasteurized milk

Pasteurized milk is probably one of the best known and most consumed varieties in the world. It is the result of a safe and guaranteed process, which allows to extend the life of the product.

This process consists in subjecting the milk to a treatment whose main objective is to eliminate microorganisms and bacteria in an effective and permanent way. In this way, it is not only possible to extend the life of the milk, but also to make it more suitable for human consumption.

Milk processing treatments

Thermised milk

This process consists in subjecting the milk to high temperatures, in particular between 62 and 65 degrees, for an approximate time of 20 seconds. Unlike pasteurized milk, this process keeps the original flavor almost intact. This is mainly due to the fact that pasteurized milk is processed at lower temperatures.

Like the treatment of pasteurized milk, thermal milk aims to eliminate microorganisms that can be harmful for human consumption. This processing also extends the useful life of the product.

UHT milk

This type of milk is the one that undergoes the most complete sterilization process, as can be seen from the name itself:  Ultra High Temperature . The liquid is subjected, for a few seconds, to a temperature of about 140 degrees. The goal is to eliminate absolutely all microorganisms and bacteria that may be present. Next, the milk is placed in airtight containers, which have also been previously sterilized.

It is important and interesting to know the different processes by which raw milk is treated. Each of these processes is focused on the different needs that arise during the life of the human being.

In this differentiation based on age, in the first years of life the ideal is to consume milk of the fourth type, or UHT. Subsequently, the taste and indications of pediatricians and doctors will determine the most suitable type of milk for each individual.

The market today is able to offer different types of dairy products, capable of truly satisfying the nutritional and flavor needs of any consumer. Thanks to the different treatment processes, it is possible to determine which type of milk is the most appropriate, based on the necessary requirements for each member of the family.