Saturday, September 13, 2008

A word about the milk.

I've been thinking a lot about the boxed milk here. It's just not the same. I miss my gallon jug of 2% milk. Cold. And I really really miss a nice bowl of cereal. I used to eat cereal a lot. And many times at night. I stopped doing that altogether since I came here. Mostly because I don't like the way it tastes.


So I've done a little research to find out why it tastes so different. And I thought I'd share it with you.
Milk is pasteurized in different ways. One way, and also the way in which is mostly used in the US is called High temperature short time Pasteurization (HTST). Milk is heated to 161 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 seconds. This process kills most disease producing organisms. It is given an expiration date and then of course is shipped to the store nearest you, cold.
Another way is called UHT, Ultra High temperature pasteurization. Milk is heated at a much higher temperature of 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 seconds. When heating it this high, it kills almost all of the bacteria and spores. In a sterile environment it is then sealed and placed into a square container that looks very much like a big juice box.
From the extreme heat of the process, the sugars are burned off and the milk becomes sweeter. The milk is not refrigerated, and is given a shelf life of 6-9 months.
Overall, this has been a bit helpful. We can buy more of it at a time and keep it in the pantry. And the kids love it. But that's as far as it goes for me. I'm not loving it.
But since I've only been here for 3 months, and I still have another 20 months to go... (roughly) I will give it another shot. Maybe it will grow on me. Maybe.
I know one thing is for sure, when I get back to the states on my vacation, I am going to eat a bunch of cereal. And I will drink a lot of milk. I do miss it.


This picture especially makes me homesick. I know this cereal too well. And I like it. Just as much as my kids do.

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12 comments:

Lauren W said...

It is way more convenient... but not the same. Can you get cheddar? That was one of the few things I really missed when I was out of the states.

Keys to the Magic Travel said...

Don't you hate when you think it is going to taste like something - and then it tastes like something else?

I know so many people that love cereal. I am not one of those people. I can't recall the last time I had any. And the only time my kids eat it is when we are either in a hotel or cruising - so that they can eat the junk cereal that we won't buy.

But sometimes, the "formula" in our favorite products is changed. And it is not a happy day :-)

Anonymous said...

I am so sad for you...I am not a Milk lover, but I do love me some cereal.

If you want I can try some milk in a cooler with dry ice?

Anonymous said...

I meant I could try shipping you some Milk in a Cooler with Dry Ice...sorry, it's late and I'm tired. LOL

Stephanie said...

so do you guys drink it room temperature or cold?

Laural Out Loud said...

They have boxed milk in Brasil, too. It's so gross. I think it tastes more like powdered milk than regular milk. And my inlaws keep it out next to the fuit bowl so it's nice and warm. Yuck!

I LOVE cereal. There's nothing like a crunchy bowl of cereal goodness for a snack. We don't have real milk in the house anymore because my daughter is allergic, so I've been having to use her Rice Milk whenever I have a cereal craving. I might just have to sneak out and buy some real milk for myself!

Anonymous said...

I know how you MUST be feeling... I am so particular and P I C K Y about my milk.. taste is so IMPORTANT!!! There was this taste test and I could not do it.... taste really wacks me out.. big time..

Not to worry.. when you come back for a visit we will have your favorite cereal and PLENTY of 2% milk!!!

Your Sis

Unknown said...

Oh goodness - i LOVE milk so much - I can't imagine not having it like I want it....

I hope you get a WHOLE couple gallons to yourself when you get back to the states!!

Rhonda said...

I love me some lucky charms too, sorry it's slim pickins with milk and cereal where you are!

Oh and it's cool that your lil girl talks like mine..."we do HAFF it" "moobie" for movie...love it, so precious!

Rhonda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
illahee said...

when i first came to japan, the milk about killed me! it's heated super fast, but they do refrigerate it. recently i've been able to find lower temperature pasteurized milk here, but to be honest after a year or so, i got used to the taste of the 'regular' japanese milk. cold, of course.

Rela Pantaleon said...

I have to share this - I have been drinking UHT milk without any trouble. When I moved to US and started drinking the HTST milk, I discovered I am lactose intolerant. Probably has something to do with the pasteurization process.