Why Does 100% Grass-fed Organic Milk Last Longer?

mackenziehartung
17 hours ago
4 min read

It’s not your imagination — organic milk from 100% grass-fed dairy lasts longer in the fridge than conventional milk. We’ll give you the short answer and then some of the reasoning behind the difference.

Why Does 100% Grass-fed Organic Milk Last Longer?
The 100% Grass-fed Organic Milk Journey
Why Choose 100% Grass-Fed Organic Milk?

Some conventional milk only lasts 4-7 days in the fridge, while 100% grass-fed organic milk can last up to 3 months if unopened and around 7 days if opened due to ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing.

A higher processing temperature is the short answer behind 100% grass-fed organic milk’s longevity — but why? The 100% grass-fed organic milk made by Maple Hill travels further than conventional dairy, so it can be safely enjoyed across the U.S.

Ultrahigh temperature (UHT) pasteurization means that our milk is heated up to 280 degrees Fahrenheit, or 138 degrees Celsuis, for up to four seconds. This kills all of the bacteria and deactivates any enzymes that could spoil the milk. UHT also slightly caramelizes the sugar within the milk, giving a hint of sweetness to the final product.

There are two kinds of standard pasteurization processes for conventional milk. The first pasteurization method uses a much lower temperature for a longer time, where the milk is heated up to 145 degrees F, or 63 degrees C, for thirty minutes. The second method is faster at a higher temperature — the milk is heated to 160 degrees F, or 71 degrees C, for fifteen seconds. This kind of pasteurization kills bacteria — but not all of the bacteria, giving it a shorter shelf life.

UHT and pasteurization both aim to prevent harmful bacteria like Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria (including bacteria that leads to bird flu). UHT is able to remove harmful bacteria while maintaining the high level of nutrients that occur naturally in 100% grass-fed milk.

Why does organic milk need to travel further than conventional milk?

100% grass-fed organic dairy practices are not common across the U.S. Most dairy farms are conventional — they treat their cows with hormones and antibiotics, cows may be confined indoors with limited or no outdoor access, and they are commonly fed grain-based feed.

To be labeled organic, dairy farms can’t use synthetic hormones for increased milk production, and they can only use antibiotics for treating sick animals. Cows must have access to a pasture for grazing, and they also must eat organic feed that has not been treated with synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Maple Hill takes “organic” a step further: all of our cows are 100% grass-fed year round, in addition to all other organic practices. The average farm in our milkshed has around 50 cows, which means that cows have plenty of room to graze and regenerate the soil and grass.

The care and quality that goes into a 100% grass-fed and organic dairy is uncommon. Maple Hill products are sold throughout the U.S. for this reason: for customers who care about cow wellness, regenerative farming practices, and a farmer-centric milkshed. To reach our customers, our milk needs to safely travel without risk of spoilage.

Why Choose 100% Grass-Fed Organic Milk?

Aside from the longevity, there are other reasons to choose 100% grass-fed organic milk at your local grocery store. Happier, healthier cows make better dairy — we’ll explore why.

Nutrition

Studies show that organic milk has a better, and healthier, balance of fatty acids compared to conventional milk. This balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is primarily attributed to the diet of organic cows. While conventional cows are fed a grain-based diet, organic regulations require that cows graze on pasture, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids from grass and foraged plants like red clover. As the highest quality diet, going above and beyond even organic standards, 100% grass-fed cows only ever eat grass and spend more time on the pasture, which means they get the most nutrient-dense feed that a cow can have — and it shows up in the final product.

Animal Wellness

Maple Hill cows don’t have the same experiences as conventional cows: they are never held in confinement and don’t experience the same health issues that appear when cows are overcrowded and overstressed. They are never treated with unnatural growth hormones or antibiotics that shorten their lifespan — which is why our dairy cows tend to live much longer, 8-10 years, compared to the 3-4 year lifespan of a conventional dairy cow. With a smaller number of cows, Maple Hill farmers get to know them individually by name. Supporting organic dairy is a great way to take a stance for more humane treatment of dairy cows. Maple Hill takes organic to the next level by ensuring our 100% grass-fed cows have the happiest, longest life that they can.

Environmental Impact

One thing that sets 100% grass-fed organic apart from simply organic dairy is the regenerative cycle between dairy cows, grass, and the land itself. Regenerative dairy farming is a powerful tool for combating climate change. When our cows graze on open pastures, we create a virtuous cycle of carbon sequestration — the grass absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it in the soil. In turn, the soil benefits from being aerated by cows moving across the pasture, which improves its structure and fertility. Our farmers carefully ensure that grass and soil health is prioritized rather than eroded, all so it can continue to benefit the environment well into the future.

Regenerative farming is not a requirement for organic dairy, but we believe that raising this standard will ultimately deliver benefits for the land, cows, and our customers. It is not possible to dairy farm the Maple Hill way without being regenerative.

A Worthwhile Journey

Our milk can thank our ultrahigh temperature for preventing bacteria growth and spoilage. The reason this matters is not just to keep milk safe in your fridge longer to minimize food waste and protect your family from bacteria, it’s also because 100% grass-fed organic products are the exception, not the rule in today’s dairy. It has to go further to make it to homes across the country. We believe that the journey is worthwhile for the multi-faceted quality that it brings to our customers.

Beyond just milk, you can see the rest of Maple Hill dairy products here. You can also read more about 100% grass-fed organic practices and their impact: