4 ms·

In Germany the milk in plastic tastes fine, although the plastic is more like a ziplock bag with some rigidity to it so it stands up straight and pours well. I

In Germany the milk in plastic tastes fine, although the plastic is more like a ziplock bag with some rigidity to it so it stands up straight and pours well. I wasn't trying to say the plastic is the cause of the taste difference. I emphasized the plastic in the US because thats been my observation. However if you check the expiration dates in the US, milk in plastic tends to expire much more quickly than the milk in paper cartons. So there is more going on than it simply being different containers.

ValentineC 5y ago
> However if you check the expiration dates in the US, milk in plastic tends to expire much more quickly than the milk in paper cartons. So there is more going on than it simply being different containers. Without further details, I'm guessing that "milk in paper cartons" has been UHT-treated, which means it could last even longer than the published expiry date. It'll still go bad in a few days or weeks once it has been opened, depending on how it has been stored.
- sleightofmind 5y ago
  UHT milk is just not common in the US. It's not rare, but you won't see it in very many homes. The milk in paper cartons that we in the US speak of is almost always pasteurized whole or skim (2% or 1%) refrigerated milk that is good for about a week max after opening, and not a whole lot longer if refrigerated unopened. I kind of like the convenience of UHT milk (the kind you can store at room temp for a good while if unopened) and to me, it tastes less "cowy". I don't like a "cowy" taste, but then I'm not a milk drinker. Milk in plastic cartons is most common, but there's plenty milk in paper cartons alongside those plastic containers in the refrigerated section most US markets. Google cone-shaped milk cartons. Interesting bit of historical trivia.

4 ms·

In Germany the milk in plastic tastes fine, although the plastic is more like a ziplock bag with some rigidity to it so it stands up straight and pours well. I

by camhart 5y ago

ValentineC 5y ago
> However if you check the expiration dates in the US, milk in plastic tends to expire much more quickly than the milk in paper cartons. So there is more going on than it simply being different containers. Without further details, I'm guessing that "milk in paper cartons" has been UHT-treated, which means it could last even longer than the published expiry date. It'll still go bad in a few days or weeks once it has been opened, depending on how it has been stored.
- sleightofmind 5y ago
  UHT milk is just not common in the US. It's not rare, but you won't see it in very many homes. The milk in paper cartons that we in the US speak of is almost always pasteurized whole or skim (2% or 1%) refrigerated milk that is good for about a week max after opening, and not a whole lot longer if refrigerated unopened. I kind of like the convenience of UHT milk (the kind you can store at room temp for a good while if unopened) and to me, it tastes less "cowy". I don't like a "cowy" taste, but then I'm not a milk drinker. Milk in plastic cartons is most common, but there's plenty milk in paper cartons alongside those plastic containers in the refrigerated section most US markets. Google cone-shaped milk cartons. Interesting bit of historical trivia.