How does pasteurization work?

Pasteurization is a thermal process that effectively heat-treats food and beverages to eliminate harmful microorganisms, particularly bacteria, without compromising the quality of the product. The technique involves heating the food to a specific temperature for a designated period, which significantly reduces pathogens while preserving taste, texture, and nutritional value.

This method is crucial in processes like milk treatment, where the goal is to achieve food safety while maintaining the desirable characteristics of fresh milk. Unlike freezing, which merely inhibits the growth of bacteria without killing them, pasteurization ensures that the food is safe for consumption by significantly reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

Moreover, pasteurization is not about removing pathogens through filtering or sealing food in a vacuum, as seen in some other food preservation methods. Instead, it focuses specifically on the application of heat to achieve safety and extend the shelf life of perishable items without sacrificing their inherent qualities.