608965 Thu Apr 02 10:47:56 -0700 2009 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 4561290 Why is it so hard to find Horizon Organic whole milk that’s not ULTRA-pasteurized? I know Whole Foods carries it, but more often than not, they only have ultra-pasteurized half-gallons. I’ve had better luck at the Sherman Oaks store than the Fairfax store. But neither is perfectly reliable. Other stores that carry Horizon milk (Gelson’s, Pavilions, some Ralph’s) only carry ultra-pasteurized. I have no use for ultra-pasteurized anything. I think it’s only marginally better than UHT (ewww…). I prefer Horizon to Broguire’s and, for that matter, raw milk. I just need a reliable source for Horizon Organic pasteurized whole milk. Is that too much to ask?!? Another thing that really irks me is that Horizon does not make pasteurized quarts, only ultra-pasteurized quarts. This seems really strange since ultra-pasteurized lasts longer so why wouldn't they offer smaller containers of pasteurized? If you want pasteurized, you have to buy a half-gallon. With a family of 2 with only half the family drinking milk, this is not ideal. I would really prefer to buy pasteurized quarts more often. So my immediate wish: finding Horizon PASTEURIZED whole milk in half-gallons every time I go to the store that is reasonably close to Hollywood. My longer-term wish: for Horizon to offer pasteurized whole milk in quarts. Thu Apr 02 10:47:56 -0700 2009 10401 soniabegonia 1 4561454 What is the difference between pasteurized and ultra pasteurized? both are treated. Wouldn't raw be better? I have seen 1/2 gallons at Albertson's in Los Feliz, not sure if it is oasteurized or ultra pasteurized, good luck! Thu Apr 02 11:29:40 -0700 2009 4561290 11279 Burger Boy 2 4561510 Ultra-pasteurized milk is usually done at higher temperatures in order to kill off more bacteria/micro-organisms in the milk so it lasts longer. The downside is that it also "cooks" the proteins in the milk which results in an altered flavor. Thu Apr 02 11:42:56 -0700 2009 4561454 250852 taiwanesesmalleats 1 4561505 While I don't have a source in mind for you, I do have an explanation as to why you're having difficulty. The issue is cost. Most organic milk is ultra-pasteurized because there are fewer farms that produce organic milk and most are farther away from places where they are sold. To maximize yield, it's ultra-pasteurized so it lasts longer, as you know, so it can stay fresh for the journey and subsequent time on the shelf. As for the size issue, it's also about cost. The larger containers obviously sell more milk, which increases profitability and reduces the amount of individual containers spoiling on the shelf. Rather if it spoils at someone's home, the purchase has already been made. It's the same reason conventional milk is cheaper when you buy two gallons at once rather than two gallons separately. It's cheaper to mass produce than on the small scale. My only advice would be to keep trying, perhaps marking what days of the week you've found them and going on those days to maximize success. Good luck! Thu Apr 02 11:41:10 -0700 2009 4561290 250852 taiwanesesmalleats 1 4561525 You might want to look into Organic Valley milk. I understand that Horizon is still factory-farmed, which means that they may be getting organic feed, but that's about it in terms of how sustainably they are kept. Just a thought. Thu Apr 02 11:48:08 -0700 2009 4561290 170653 subby 2 4561556 I do like Organic Valley but have the exact same issues. I get Horizon or Organic Valley pasteurized, whichever I can find. I just hope pasteurized milk isn't going the way of the milk man. More and more, I've been seeing ultra-pasteurized on store shelves. I'm sure it's more profitable for dairies and grocery stores alike, but it's not a good trend for consumers. Thu Apr 02 12:02:35 -0700 2009 4561525 10401 soniabegonia 1 4561728 Is Trader Joe's out of the running? Their organic milks are only in 1/2 gallons, but it is pasteurized - not ultra. I've read some posters' concerns about TJ's milk turning south before the expiration date, but we haven't suffered that in a very long time. We usually go through a 1/2 gallon in 1 1/2 to 2 weeks. Thu Apr 02 12:50:56 -0700 2009 4561290 64003 bulavinaka 2 4561854 I haven't had good luck with TJ's and I prefer the taste of Horizon & Organic Valley. I mean, I'll buy any brand as long as it's whole and pasteurized... I just very much prefer the brands I mentioned for their taste, especially if I'm drinking it plain (as opposed to cooking with it or putting it coffee or cereal...) Maybe it's time to give Tj's another try. Thu Apr 02 13:20:42 -0700 2009 4561728 10401 soniabegonia 3 4561956 I'm probably not nearly as discerning as you are when it comes to milk - I typically use it for the reasons you listed. When TJ's first started offering organic milk, they had a pasteurized whole milk that wasn't homogenized. I don't recall if they still do, but I found that to be very good as well. Obviously the difference is that there will be a layer of cream at the top. Whether they still offer this, I don't know. Thu Apr 02 13:49:36 -0700 2009 4561854 64003 bulavinaka 1 4563170 I rarely support particular brands but I want to put in a word for Clover Organic milk... it's available at Whole Foods (unfortunately the only place on the westside that I've found). Clover milk tastes great and is pasteurized but not ULTRA-pasteurized. Their 1/2 and 1/2 is fabulous, too. I turned to Clover a few years ago after learning more about the whole "organic but factory-farmed" issue that plagues certain private labels and store brands of milk. Since part of my reason for choosing organic milk is the condition of the animals, I have stopped supporting Horizon among other dairies. I prefer the taste of Clover to Organic Valley. In a pinch I rely on T. Joe's organic milk, however. Check out Clover. THey have a website- I believe it's cloverstornetta.com ... there's quite a bit of info on the site about the farms that supply their milk; I believe most of the farms are located in central and northern California. Good luck! Thu Apr 02 20:33:45 -0700 2009 4561290 120882 cakewhole 2 4563355 I've had better luck, if I recall, finding Alta Dena pasteurized but not ultrapasteurized and I find I like the taste better than Horizon pasteurized. They say something about no growth hormones etc., but aren't organic per se. Tasty milk, though. That said, after trying raw too, I've moved over to Meyenberg whole goat milk. I have to look to find it pasteurized but not ultra... but there's a possibility and maybe someone can elaborate on this... that it's not homogenized. It is wonderful. Thu Apr 02 22:45:27 -0700 2009 4563170 40486 Cinnamon 1 4563372 It's great that you're looking to buy organic milk. Did you know that Horizon recently paid out a huge fine for selling conventional milk as organic? And they run feedlots with up to 4000 cows per lot, where the cows stand around in poo all day. If you're going to pay the premium, why not get the real deal? Although I've recently switched to Organic Pastures (which is the best milk I've tasted inside the US), I've long been pleased with the taste of Clover Stornetta. OP is raw and Clover is just normally pasteurized. If you're interested, you can read dairy ratings at http://www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/ . Sorry I can't answer your original question. Thu Apr 02 22:57:11 -0700 2009 4561290 56630 Bjartmarr