Milk Unleashed Variety Pack Giveaway
Milk Unleashed is a campaign designed to help educate consumers – parents especially – about shelf stable milk. I had the opportunity to enjoy some promotional samples of shelf stable milk, from multiple brands, but I’m hardly new to the concept. In fact, when I lived in Manhattan, shelf stable milk – specifically Parmalat – was the only milk I would buy. More on that shortly, but first you may be going, uhm… what the heck is shelf stable milk?
Shelf stable milk is virtually identical to the refrigerated milk you buy normally, except it doesn’t require refrigeration prior to being opened. Crazy, right? This is made possibly by a special technique called ultra-pasteurization. You may already being drinking milk that’s been ultra-pasteurized. Horizon, among many store brands, sells milk in the dairy section that’s undergone this process. It usually has a much longer shelf-life as a result. Ultra-pasteurization simply means the milk is pasteurized – like all milk sold in stores – but at very high temperatures. Sometimes the milk is referred to as UHT – ultra high temperature – milk. Ultra-pasteurization in and of itself does not make the milk shelf stable. There’s a second component… the critical special packaging known as a Tetra Pak. Together with ultra-pasteurization, this creates milk that is shelf stable and will not need to be kept cold until it has been opened. If you’re curious about this, the Milk Unleashed people have an awesome FAQ that I highly recommend you check out.
Now, about my Manhattan story…you might not know this, but milk in NYC isn’t delivered in refrigerated trucks. I grew up in NJ, and the milk there always had a different expiration date for NYC – always sooner – and this is why. When I moved to Manhattan, I naturally bought milk. I love milk. I love it in cereal, I love to just drink it (ice cold, but not over actual ice, please). It’s great for cooking, it’s high in protein and calcium, and well, you’re undoubtedly not new to milk and know of its many uses and virtues so I’ll stop there because I’m rather certain you get the point. I like milk. A lot. Unfortunately, what I do not like is drinking sour milk, and in NYC that is exactly what kept happening to me. I’d buy milk and either it was already sour, or more commonly, it was good the day I opened it and then by the next day, it was beginning to turn and tasted funky and vile. See, on top of not being delivered in a cold truck, milk in NYC often sits in its crates for hours upon hours while the grocery stores (mostly very small with limited space) try to find room to stock it. Ew, right? So, I decided – with some trepidation – to buy some Parmalat.
Boy, was I surprised. Not only was I getting fresh milk (no more accidental sour milk sipping, or having to sniff the container like a mad woman), but it tasted thicker and creamier, even though I tended to buy 1%. Today, I only drink ultra-pasteurized milk, and I am convinced its creamier and more luscious than the regular milk. I buy the Horizon Organic, and while I typically buy the non-shelf stable type, I do still love having shelf stable milk around. I live in a rural area, and the extra long expiration dates on the ultra-pasteurized milk mean that, even with my once monthly shopping trips, I can buy enough milk to last us all month. If I were buying “traditional” milk, this would be impossible. I’d have to go out to the gas station convenience store to supplement inbetween shopping trips. It’s also nice to have a few of the juice-box type Tetra Pak milk packs around in case of a storm where we lose power or just in case we run out!
Here’s a pic of some of the promotional samples I was sent. I must confess there were several chocolate milk boxes in this kit, but uhm… they didn’t make it to the photo shoot. Oops.
Yes, that’s cereal milk you’re seeing there. It’s organic too!
And here’s another pic, one that better shows off the adorable, squishy cow I got with my milk.
Shelf stable milk can really be a convenience for the family on-the-go. Great for lunchboxes and road trips, these little cartons of milk make drinking milk more fun for kids, and since they are available in such a wide variety of flavors, there’s likely to be one that appeals to even the more discerning palates (aka your picky eaters!).
Visit the Milk Unleashed web site to learn more about shelf stable milk, and get tips getting kids to drink milk. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Enter to win a Milk Unleashed Prize Pack! One lucky reader is going to variety package that will include:
- 12 single-serving shelf safe milks from our various brands
- 1 stress cow
- Stickers and temporary tattoos
- More information about Milk Unleashed and tips for getting your kids to drink more milk
Open to US residents who are 18 and over. Ends 4/30. Good Luck!
Disclosure: Promotional samples and squishy cow were provided by the Milk Unleashed program. No other compensation was received. All opinions in this post are mine. I cannot guarantee you’ll find ultra-pasteurized milk more creamy or luscious. The glass in the pictures is my own, and it’s definitely more than half-full. Well, in the second picture anyway.
-36 Comments-
I learned they have a great smoothie recipe on the snacks unleashed post
I learned how it’s shelf stable
I learned what makes the milk shelf stable. The site says, “The unique combination of pasteurizing milk at an ultra high temperature (UHT), and then packaging it in a Tetra Pak carton, results in milk that is shelf safe. Ultra-pasteurization eliminates bacteria and Tetra Pak carton packaging keeps out light, air and harmful contaminants. Also called shelf stable milk.” I have always wondered how regular milk was different than shelf safe milk.
I learned that it is real milk that has a longer shelf life…good for food storage
The eco-friendly packaging keeps the milk safe and maintains the protein
I learned that shelf stable mild does not have to be refrigerated.
shelf stable milk
Shelf stable and lasts a long time!
I learned that it is just a nutritious as regular milk.
I learned that this milk is ok on the shelf and on the go. No refrigeration needed unopened.
I like that it’s shelf stable and doesn’t require refrigeration.
I learned that Shelf Milk is packaged in Tetra Pak shelf safe cartons, and is recyclable. The carton needs no refrigeration until it is opened.
I learned that it doesn’t need refrigeration,and would be great to take wherever you go.
I learned that a carton of shelf stable milk has 8 grams of protein and 9 essential nutrients!
Robin O recently posted..Re-Body Hunger Chews
I learned that the milk is ultra-pasteurized. It is also packaged into a Tetra Pak carton.
Tara A. recently posted..Bountiful Baskets Haul 4/13/13
I learned it has 8 grams of protein and 9 essential nutrients. I’ve never tried shelf-stable milk before, but you’ve got me curious!
Elisebet F recently posted..Review: Nuby Bedlite Buddies
I learned that shelf safe milk, like regular milk, builds strong bones, lowers blood pressure, and reduces the risk of diabetes and some cancers. A carton (8 oz.) of shelf safe milk has 8 grams of protein and 9 essential nutrients – calcium, Vitamins A, D and B12, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, riboflavin, niacin and zinc – nearly half of the daily recommended vitamins intake!
Thank you 🙂
You can keep this on the shelf for up to 6 months.
I learned that it has the same nutrients and vitamins as regular milk, only this doesn’t need to be refrigerated until opened!
milk that requires no refrigeration until the package is opened, thanks to ultra pasteurization and special Tetra Pak cartons that preserve all the wholesome goodness of milk.
good for emergencies or camping
Its shelf stable up to 6 months -no need to refrigerate till opened
I learned that the calcium and nutrient content is the same in 1%, 2%, and whole milk.
I learned the ultra pasturized milk has a 6month shelf life
In order to make it even more convenient, some brands offer the product online through Amazon.com. – See more at: http://www.milkunleashed.com/where-to-buy.html#sthash.VUCzAnfi.dpuf
I learned that it’s shelf stable and doesn’t require refrigeration.
shelf life for 6 months… that’s awesome!!!
Its packaged i a shelf safe petra packaging. Thanks for the info. I had not heard of this before today.
Shelf stable milk needs no refridgeration until its opened!
The milk carton is recyclable and keeps out light and air.
The milk doesn’t need to be refrigerated, so great for car trips (I think)!
I learned that about 80% of the organic milk sold in the U.S. is UHT milk!
Tetra Pak cartons are recycleable – love that these are recycleabe
I learned that these milks are shelf stable due to the processing system used, but they’re still real milk
I learned that these little things of milk are packed full of protein!
I learned that its shelf stable and how much my kids love it.