Carbonated milk

Carbonated milk or soda milk is a carbonated soft drink. It can be made from powdered milk or fresh milk, and often has added flavor. In addition to modified mouth feel, carbonated milk also has a longer shelf-life than similarly processed flat milk and a different flavor. It is sold by several companies and is most popular in Asia.

Manufacture

Carbonated milk can be produced by fermentation and other methods.

With fermentation, yeast is added to the milk, producing a yogurt-like effervescent beverage. Along with carbon dioxide, the yeast also produces lactic acid, aromatic compounds and a small amount of ethanol. Examples of carbonated milk beverages produced using fermentation include kefir and kumis.

Aside from fermentation, carbonation can be produced by physical or chemical means. The "dry" method involves adding powdered milk to a liquid, which then produces carbon dioxide when the two are mixed. Another method involves physically mixing or injecting the milk with carbon dioxide to produce the carbonated beverage.

Characteristics

Flavor

Carbonated milk can have flavor added to it, such as strawberry, peach or root beer. It can also be sweetened, using a sweetener such as sucrose, aspartame or high-fructose corn syrup.

Carbonation has been shown to increase the perceived intensity of flavorings and sweetness, as well as bitterness and chalkiness at higher levels.

Shelf life

Carbonation increases the shelf life of both raw and pasteurized milk. A similar effect has also been demonstrated with UHT milk. The means by which carbon dioxide reduces spoilage is unknown, but suggested mechanisms include displacement of oxygen, acidification and direct effects on microbial metabolism due to cellular penetration. Carbonation has a similar preserving effect on other dairy products, such as butter, yogurt and cheese. Because of dairy's high susceptibility to spoilage, carbonation has thus been suggested as a simple means of preservation. With liquids such as milk, this can be achieved using injection or by filling the container's headspace with carbon dioxide.

Popularity and availability

Carbonated milk is most popular in Asia.

Vio is a mix of flavored milk and carbonated water made by The Coca-Cola Company. In India, it is sold primarily by large brands, including Nestle, Amul and Britannia. Milkis is a Korean brand of carbonated milk, which is also sold in Taiwan and other nearby countries.

See also

• Affogato
• Cream soda
• Dirty soda
• Doodh soda
• Egg cream
• Ice cream float
• Italian soda
• Milkis
• Pilk
• Seltzer