Proper hygiene and fast cooling are the best solutions to store milk for more than 24 hours. Consequently, the milk will retain its great taste and remain fresh for a week. All the things that interact with milk in one or another way such as containers, funnels, strainers, storage gallons, etc. must be cleaned properly. Moreover, you must begin chilling the milk immediately after you get it.
You can store the milk in a commercial upright display fridge, in an ice-packed cooler, or a container of chilled water in the fridge. Lactobacilli are the naturally occurring bacteria in milk. They will grow in slightly high temperatures, thus producing lactic acid. Consequently, lactic acid gives its distinctively tart taste to milk, thereby decreasing the shelf life of milk. So, follow the below-given simple steps to store milk properly for more than 24 hours and even longer.
Pasteurize the Raw Milk:
Numerous individuals pasteurize the fresh milk to keep it for more than 24 hours or longer. During pasteurization, the milk is heated to a sufficiently high temperature for a specific period to stop the growth of any microorganism in milk. Milk is pasteurized in the following two ways:
High-temperature pasteurization (boiling milk at 165˚ F or 74˚ C for 15 seconds)
Low-temperature pasteurization (boiling milk at 145˚ F or 63˚ C for 30 minutes)
To pasteurize the milk, you should set up a double boiler and a thermometer. Add the raw milk into a stainless-steel container and place the container within a bigger container having some water at the base. Gradually heat the milk. At medium flame, gradually increase the temperature to 145˚F/63˚C or 165˚F/74˚C. Keep the milk boiling at the given temperature conditions for the exact amount of time.
You might have to decrease or increase the heat to keep the temperature stable. Now turn off the flame and place the milk container in a sink or huge bowl loaded up with chilled water. Mix continually until the temperature of milk falls to 40˚ F or 4˚ C or even less. Finally, transfer this pasteurized milk to germ-free or properly cleaned containers. Now store this milk in the refrigerator.
Clean Glass Jars Properly Before Adding Milk for Storage:
Milk contains high amounts of sugars and protein and low acidity. So, it is the ideal medium for the growth of several microorganisms such as the naturally occurring lactobacilli and the milk spoiling microbes. Therefore, cleanliness is critical to all that you do in your kitchen when you are in contact with milk. To clean the glass jars for storing milk, dip them in a huge water container, and boil for 10 minutes. Afterward, pour the milk in the jars using cleaned funnels.
Store the Milk in Refrigerator to Keep it for More Than 24 Hours:
Storing the milk at a cool place is essential for keeping it fresh for longer. Regardless of whether you purchase raw milk or pasteurized milk, remember to store it in the fridge. It must not be kept at room temperature. In case you plan to drink your milk after some time, then use clean glass jars for storing it.
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