Generally speaking, we have two methods for juice filling, one is hot filling, the other is aseptic cold filling. Actually we adopt hot filling more often than aseptic cold filling.

Hot filling refers to the process of filling the fruit and vegetable juice in a hot state after sterilization and sterilizing the inner surface of the container by using the heat of the product.

Aseptic cold filling refers to the cold (normal temperature) filling of beverage products under aseptic conditions, which is relative to the high-temperature hot filling method under normal conditions. When filling under aseptic conditions, the parts of the equipment which may cause microbial contamination of the beverages are all kept sterile, so it is not necessary to add preservatives into the beverages, and it is not necessary to perform post-sterilization after filling and sealing, so that the requirements of the long shelf life can be satisfied, and the taste and color flavor of the beverage can be maintained.

As a result, there is no doubt that it must be some differences between these two different filling methods. Now let’s talk from various aspects one by one as follows:

1. Different filling process

Hot filling: The cap of the product bottle is sterilized, after the product is filled into the PET bottle, the temperature of the product center is 88 degrees. After the product with high temperature is sterilized by bottle tilting, it enters the cooling machine to be cooled to normal temperature.

Aseptic cold filling: The product, bottle and cap are separately sterilized, filled under aseptic environment, and the product and bottle are completely sealed, then left the sterile environment.

2. Differences in the process flow

The biggest difference is that the different heating time of the products.

Hot filling: The product adopts UHT high-temperature instantaneous sterilization, and then cooled to more than 90 degrees; after the filling is completed, the product temperature is 88 degrees. Due to the long heating time of the product, it has certain influence on color, flavor and nutrition.

Aseptic cold filling: The product adopts UHT ultra-high temperature instantaneous sterilization, and then rapidly cooled to normal temperature, and stored in a sterile tank for filling at any time.

3. Different production line configurations

Hot filling: 1) When the filling machine breaks down, the product will reflow in the sterilizer, repeated sterilization will have certain damage to the flavor and nutrition of the product; 2) equipped with large cooling equipment to cool the filled product to normal temperature.

Aseptic cold filling: 1) After the sterilization of the product is completed, it will be temporarily stored in the aseptic tank, and there will be no repeated sterilization; 2) The product is filled at normal temperature without cooling equipment.

4. Differences in PET bottles

Hot filling: The process requires PET bottles to withstand temperatures above 92 degrees, so the wall of the PET bottle is thick, and it has clear bottle wall ribs to prevent heat shrinkage and bottle mouth crystallization, and the bottle mouth does not deform during filling and cooling.

Aseptic cold filling: The maximum heat-resistant temperature is 60 degrees, so PET lightweight bottles and standard caps can be used, which greatly reduces the cost of bottles and caps.

So much for today's comparison, the left we will talk next time.

Whatever hot filling or aseptic cold filling you need, Comark can all manufacture for you. Welcome to contact us for more information!