Milk is prone to spoil in the summer. With the spread of global warming, temperatures in the summer are getting higher, usually around 30℃. Bacteria can easily multiply in such conditions, and milk provides an ideal environment for bacterial growth. The lactose in milk is most suitable for the proliferation of lactobacillus, and combined with other bacteria, milk can easily ferment and spoil. Let's learn how to prevent milk from spoiling in the summer.
Sterilize the milk pot and bottle
After each use of the milk pot and before pouring in fresh milk, clean the pot thoroughly. For baby feeding bottles, use boiling water to sterilize them to prevent any bacteria from the leftover milk from contaminating the new milk.
Prevent contamination when boiling or steeping milk
When boiling milk, bring it to a boil first and then cover the pot. If you're not planning to drink it immediately, avoid lifting the lid to kill the bacteria in the milk and prevent contamination.
Store unfinished milk at a low temperature
If you're not going to finish the milk and plan to drink it later in the afternoon, seal the milk container with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. If you don't have a refrigerator, let the milk pot cool down and place it in a basin of cold water in a cool place to keep the temperature below 15℃. On hot days, you can change the cold water 2-3 times to keep the milk cool and prevent bacterial growth. The depth of the water in the basin should be equivalent to the depth of the milk in the container, and make sure no water enters the milk.
The optimal heating temperature for milk
Milk should be heated appropriately, but the temperature should not be too high to avoid nutrient loss. It is generally recommended to heat milk to below 75℃.
If you're heating a cup of about 250ml of milk on a gas stove, it usually takes 3 minutes at a high temperature of 70℃ or 6 minutes at 60℃. If using a microwave, it takes about 1 minute. However, it is important to note that heating in a microwave may result in uneven temperatures, so stir it before drinking to avoid getting scalded.
Tips
Heating milk can lead to nutrient loss. Experts suggest avoiding heating milk if possible to preserve its nutritional value. This is particularly important for children, as intact milk nutrients are more beneficial for growth and development. Pure milk sold in supermarkets or stores generally has reliable hygiene standards and does not require heating before consumption.
