An apparatus (1) for deaerating a liquid food product is disclosed. The apparatus (1) comprises: a valve (2) adapted to receive a flow (F) of the liquid food product at a predetermined first pressure a vessel (4) for deaerating the liquid food product at a predetermined deaerating pressure and a pipe (3) connecting the valve (2) to the vessel (4). The valve (2) is adapted to decrease the pressure of the flow (F) stepwise from the first pressure to a predetermined second pressure between 20 kPa and 60 kPa above the deaerating pressure. The pipe (3) is arranged so that the pressure of the flow (F) through the pipe (3) is gradually decreased from the second pressure to the deaerating pressure. A method for deaerating a liquid food product is also disclosed.
