Definition

1. Verb:
   • To heat a liquid, especially a food or beverage like milk, to a specific temperature for a set period of time in order to destroy harmful microorganisms, thereby making it safer for consumption and extending its shelf life.

Usage

• The primary use of "pasteurise" is in the context of food safety and processing. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the substance being treated).
• Example: "Dairies must pasteurise all milk before it is sold to the public."
• It describes a controlled scientific process, not general heating.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Modern breweries pasteurise their beer to ensure consistency and safety.
  • To make this cheese, we first pasteurise the fresh cream.
  • Juice that has not been pasteurised must be kept refrigerated and consumed quickly.

Advanced Usage

• "to be pasteurised" (Passive Voice): Very commonly used, as the focus is often on the treated product.
  • Most of the cider you buy in stores is pasteurised.
• In technical or historical contexts, the process can be described in detail.
  • The scientist explained how they pasteurise the serum without damaging its proteins.

Variants and Related Words

• Pasteurisation (noun, UK spelling: Pasteurisation): The process or instance of pasteurising.
  • The pasteurisation of milk was a major public health advancement.
• Pasteurised (adjective): Describes a product that has undergone pasteurisation.
  • Look for pasteurised eggs when making that recipe.
• Pasteurizer (noun): A machine or apparatus used for pasteurising.
• Pasteurize (verb, US spelling): The American English spelling of "pasteurise".

Synonyms

• Sterilise: To make completely free from all living microorganisms. (Note: Sterilisation is typically more intense and aims for complete elimination, while pasteurisation targets specific pathogens.)
• Heat-treat: A more general term for applying heat for preservation or safety.

Word Origin and Notes

• The word is an eponym, derived from the name of the French scientist Louis Pasteur, who developed this process in the 19th century.
• The spelling difference (pasteurise vs. pasteurize) follows the common pattern of British English preferring "-ise" and American English preferring "-ize".

Verb

1. heat food in order to kill harmful microorganisms
   • pasteurize milk