​Health Benefits of Storing Milk in Glass Bottles

In a recent post, we looked at how the farming industry produces milk and why glass milk bottles are generally the preferred choice for storage, especially for higher-end milk deliveries and organic or even raw milk products. This time, we'll take a look at the health bottles of storing milk in a glass bottle - one of the key reasons for choosing glass over plastic.

Milk tastes better in glass bottles

One of the main reasons that farmers prefer glassware for their milk is that glass milk bottles don't affect the purity or taste of the finished product. Good quality milk tastes wonderfully fresh and creamy, and glass allows it to retain its wonderfully delicate, rich taste. Plastic tends to affect the flavour of milk, and this is one of the main issues with plastic as a storage material overall. If you're serious about good quality milk, then choose it cold and fresh from a glass bottle.

Milk lasts longer in glass bottles

Research suggests that you'll extend the life of your milk by a day or more if you store it in glass - a little-known fact! (https://www.journalofdairyscience.org/article/S0022-0302(22)00642-7/fulltext#seccestitle260)

Glass bottles are better for the environment

A glass bottle can be recycled around 20-30 times without its quality being compromised, and from this point, the glass will simply be recycled into something else glass-based. Plastic, however, rapidly loses its value in recycling processes and can only be reformed into plastic bottles a handful of times. This means its value to the environment is far less.

You'll avoid chemicals and toxins from plastics

Research suggests that our entire ecosystem is becoming filled with microplastics - minuscule plastic molecules that are making their way into our water, food, and air, and building up in our bodies. There are endless types of microplastics, and they are linked to various health issues and diseases, especially as they continue to become ubiquitous in our daily lives. One easy way to avoid the risks of microplastics and other plastic-based toxins and chemicals is to minimise their use as much as possible. Choose glass bottles for your milk delivery, and you'll be storing this nutritious kitchen ingredient in a natural, chemical-free and stable material.

Glass bottles maintain milk's nutritional value

Milk is filled with essential carbohydrates, protein and fat, and packed with vitamins and minerals, making it one of the most complete drinks you can choose. Milk's nutritional profile is particularly useful for growing children, who benefit from its nutritionally and calorically-dense composition. And again, when we store milk in a glass bottle, its delicate nutritional composition is maintained. Glass is perfect to pop into the fridge, where the milk will remain cool and in the dark until it is ready to drink. This maintains its vitamins, which can become damaged through heat and light.

Tips for keeping milk fresh in glass bottles

It's best to keep your milk in a fridge, or a cold spot such as a pantry (in the way that our ancestors would have done, in glass milk bottles or urns). It's important to keep your milk bottles closed with lids because bacteria will rapidly begin to affect the contents once the bottle cap is opened. This will quickly cause it to lose freshness, so only open your bottle of milk when you are ready to use it.

Keep milk away from direct light and aim to drink it at the earliest opportunity when it is fresh. Don't worry, though, if your milk begins to spoil as there are actually plenty of ways to use it. For example, sour milk is often used in cooking to add more complex flavours to dishes such as pancakes or scones and it acts as a leavening agent too. You can also use spoiling milk to make buttermilk or even sour cream. The trick is to work with it, rather than throw it away! Here are some great ideas to rethink any milk gluts you are lucky enough to encounter: https://www.bonappetit.com/story/sour-milk-tips.

Stock up on glass bottles at Wares:

We sell a wide range of glass bottles at Wares, with different sizes and lid styles on offer. See our full range here!

Our milk bottles are great for food producers and for individual customers alike. We offer discounts on bulk orders too for even better unit costs and have excellent rates on fast delivery from our own warehouses. For any queries, our friendly and helpful team is always here to assist. Discover the Wares of Knutsford difference today and enjoy the beautiful taste and wonderful appearance of milk in glass bottles today. After all, what could be lovelier than a chilled, condensation-covered bottle of full-fat, locally-produced and organic milk on your breakfast table to greet the family?