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Pasteurization is a process used to treat food and beverages, particularly liquids like milk, juice, and wine, to eliminate or reduce harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and molds. The process is named after Louis Pasteur, a French scientist who developed the technique in the 19th century.
The process of pasteurization typically involves heating the food or beverage to a specific temperature for a set period of time and then rapidly cooling it. The purpose is to destroy or inactivate the microorganisms that may be present, while still preserving the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the product to a large extent.
The most common method of pasteurization is known as “HTST” (High-Temperature Short-Time) pasteurization. In this method, the liquid is heated to a temperature of around 72-75 degrees Celsius (161-167 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 15 to 30 seconds, followed by rapid cooling. This process effectively kills or reduces the number of harmful microorganisms, making the product safer for consumption.
It’s important to note that pasteurization is not the same as sterilization. While pasteurization significantly reduces the number of microorganisms, it may not eliminate all of them. Therefore, pasteurized products still need to be handled and stored properly to maintain their safety.