While American milk is pasteurized too – to keep for a few weeks – in France, it's “ultra-high temperature” (UHT) pasteurized, heated to 275 degrees as opposed to the 60 to 100 to which American milk is. The resulting shelf-stable milk, which makes up 95.5 percent of all milk consumed in France, has a (frightening?)
For the most part however it seems to be down to preference and tradition. France after all isn't the only country on the continent to choose long-life milk over fresh. Belgium and Spain favour UHT overwhelmingly whereas in Greece and Finland it accounts for just one and two percent of milk sales respectively.
The main types of milk are demi-écrémé (typically sold with a blue lid) which is the equivalent of semi-skimmed and entier (typically with a red lid) meaning whole milk. Skim milk is usually sold under the brand name Bridelight. Or you may find it simply labelled as écrémé.
The different taste probably comes from the way milk is processed (pasteurized and homogenized) in the different countries, the amount of fat we are accustomed to and that is added or taken away for full fat or skimmed milk. This is different in most countries. Just try it out when you travel.
Most whole milk in Australia is homogenised because the majority of consumers prefer the milkfat to be distributed throughout the milk. Homogenisation is a process where the fat globules are physically reduced in size, so they remain suspended throughout the milk.
UHT milk in France is marked as keeping for three months unopened, although it is actually usable for six to nine months. The process kills all the micro-organisms in the milk and deactivates most of the enzymes present, which slightly changes the taste.
You may not have realized that Europeans actually buy and store their milk outside of the fridge. The reason is a simple one: Europeans rely on a completely different pasteurization method. Canadian and American milk manufacturers utilize high-temperature, short-time pasteurization.
New Zealand's grass-fed cows produce some of the world's best quality milk. The quality of the milk cows produce is directly related to their diet and environment. So it's no wonder that New Zealand's pasture-fed cows, feasting on our lush green grass, produce some of the best milk in the world.
Turns out, the major difference lies in the method by which milk is processed. Almost all milk is pasteurized, meaning it undergoes extreme heat in order to kill illness-causing bacteria. The U.S. and Canada use a pasteurizing technique called high-temperature short-time pasteurization, or HTST.
French people usually have milky coffee at breakfast, but you can also drink it throughout the day. The recipe is very simple – you make a double espresso in an Americano sized cup, then you add up to twice as much milk as there is coffee, according to your preference.
In Europe and other parts of the world, another technique called ultra-heat-treated pasteurization, or UHT, is used. Milk is exposed to higher temperatures of 284°F for three seconds, decimating virtually all the bacteria and making it shelf-stable for about six months if left unopened.
Ultra-pasteurization happens at 280 degrees Fahrenheit. In turn, this makes the milk last even longer on the shelf. You can expect a2 Milk® to be fresh for 30 to 90 days, thanks to the ultra-pasteurization process.
full-fat milk [example]
lait entier [ex.]
The nutritional value of UHT milk and fresh milk are the same when it comes to the main nutrients in milk, such as protein, calcium and Vitamin D. UHT treatment may reduce the level of some heat sensitive nutrients such as vitamin C, but milk is not the main source of these nutrients in the first place.
Cow's milk is the best option for most people, as it is an important source of protein and calcium. Those trying to lose weight should switch to reduced-fat or skim milk. People who are lactose intolerant should choose lactose-free milk.
You should drink skim or 1% milk to avoid belly fat and maintain your healthy weight. Low fat milk or 2% milk both have a significant amount of calories and fat. Whole milk has about 9g of fat. One of your favorite snacks may be giving you belly fat.
Finnish milk is among the cleanest milk in the world thanks to healthy cows. The superior quality of Valio milk is ensured by expert milk producers supported by first-class advisory services. Valio milk ranks among the cleanest in the world, and we have zero tolerance for antibiotic residue in milk.
“Milk is pasteurized through a process called ultra high temperature (UHT) in Europe, which kills the bacteria and can lead to a longer shelf life product without refrigeration,” explains Natalie Alibrandi, a UK-based food scientist and CEO of Nali Consulting.
After all, unlike many American butters, which are typically made with milk from corn- or grain-fed cows, French butter is always from grass-fed cattle, lending it a fresh flavor and a naturally yellow color—no additives required.
However, in many European nations, UHT milk is the norm. This milk is heated to double the temperature – 140C – for a mere three seconds. The high heat does its work almost instantly, killing all bacteria and most of the bacterial spores that can stand up to lesser temperatures.