Can milk be soaked in hot water and heated

Milk can be soaked in hot water for heating, but the water temperature should not be too high and prolonged heating should be avoided. The protein and vitamins in milk are easily destroyed at high temperatures, so it is recommended to heat it separately to 40-50 degrees Celsius. When milk is soaked and heated in hot water, it is safer to control the water temperature below 60 degrees Celsius. Packaging milk together or pouring it into a heat-resistant container and placing it in hot water, slowly heating it up through heat conduction, can retain more nutrients. This method is suitable for heating and refrigerating fresh milk or for special populations who require warm drinking, such as infants and young children or gastrointestinal sensitive individuals. During the heating process, the container should be shaken intermittently to ensure even heating and avoid local overheating that may cause protein denaturation and clumping.

Directly soaking in boiling water or microwave heating at high temperatures may cause whey protein to coagulate, calcium to precipitate, and damage thermosensitive nutrients such as vitamin B and vitamin C. Some lactose intolerant individuals may experience increased bloating symptoms by consuming milk heated at high temperatures. If the milk packaging is labeled as "microwaveable", it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions. It is not recommended to open and heat treat ordinary bagged/boxed milk.

For daily heating of milk, it is preferred to use the water separation heating method, which is more accurate when paired with a thermometer for monitoring. Drink as soon as possible after heating, avoiding repeated heating or prolonged storage. After opening, dairy products should be refrigerated and used up within 24 hours. If there are signs of spoilage such as layering or sourness in the heated milk, it should be discarded. Special groups such as pregnant women and postoperative patients are recommended to use sterilized milk and consult a nutritionist to develop personalized milk drinking plans.