What is long-life milk?

I see long-life milk on the shelves here and I've always wondered what it was. Recently I had to buy long-life skim because there was no regular skim milk left, and the BBE date was May 2005. Five months away?! That doesn't seem right! How can milk last that long?!

Does anyone know the mystery behind what makes long-life milk different from normal milk?  

I believe the process is to rapidly sterilise the milk at twice the normal temterature,which kills off all bacteria,then seal it in sterile cartons,should be good for at least six months


Dave

That's the key. It's only good that long *unopened* - once you open it, it'll go off at about the same rate.

Many people I know don't like the taste. And you can get it in the US though I think it's in cans not boxes.

Thanks. I always wondered that. I tried some of it and I didn't like the taste at all though. I think I'll stick with the normal stuff from now on.  

Taste is funky.

The taste IS a bit weird, but it's super handy to have in the cupboard for those bleary eyed mornings that I always seem to have when I realize that I've made a pot of coffee and there's no bloody milk in the fridge! LOL.

Never liked it myself,but the bride insists on skimmed milk and having loads of kids running around the house we get through lots.Thing I found is there are lots of differences between various brands and IMO the best is the Somerfield one in the yellow carton,actually looks like real milk and whitens your tea.Can't comment on the taste as its been so long since I've had real milk.

Dave