Ultra-high temperature processing (UHT), ultra-heat treatment, or ultra-pasteurization is a food processing technology that sterilizes liquid food by heating it above 135 °C (275 °F) – the temperature required to kill bacterial endospores – for 2 to 5 seconds. UHT is most commonly used in
milk production, but the process is also used for fruit juices, cream, soy milk, yogurt, wine, soups, honey, and stews. UHT
milk was first developed in the 1960s and became generally available for consumption in the 1970s.The heat used during the UHT process can cause Maillard browning and change the taste and smell of dairy products. An alternative process is HTST pasteurization (high temperature/short time), in which the
milk is heated to 72 °C (162 °F) for at least 15 seconds. UHT
milk packaged in a sterile container, if not opened, has a typical unrefrigerated shelf life of six to nine months. In contrast, HTST pasteurized
milk has a shelf life of about two weeks from processing, or about one week from being put on sale. A significant percentage of
milk sold in the US as organic food is UHT treated
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