Pasteurization

The process of heating foods, such as milk, cheese, yogurt, beer, fruit ciders, wine, and other foods to a temperature high enough and for a sufficient period of time to destroy harmful micro-organisms. To pasteurize a product typically means to remove harmful bacteria. This process occurs without altering the taste or quality of the food being pasteurized. Unpasteurized products may often be found in roadside stands being sold by small producers who have not pasteurized their products.