Fruit juices are a delightful and refreshing part of our daily lives, offering a burst of natural flavors and essential nutrients. Among the various types of fruit juices available, you may have come across the term “concentrated fruit juice.” But what exactly does it mean?
Well, concentrated fruit juice is a product derived from fresh fruit juice. But this form undergoes a specific process to remove a significant portion of its water content. The result is a more concentrated liquid with reduced moisture, making it thicker and sweeter than its non-concentrated counterpart. This process typically involves methods such as evaporation or freeze concentration, which effectively extracts water while retaining the juice’s flavor and nutritional components.
HOW IS IT MADE?
Manufacturing of concentrated fruit juice basically involves 4 steps: extraction, concentration, storage, and reconstitution.
Extraction
The journey of concentrated fruit juice begins with the extraction of fresh fruit juice. This initial step often employs mechanical methods such as pressing or crushing the fruits, mimicking what one might do when squeezing fruit at home. The result is pure, unadulterated fruit juice, brimming with natural flavors and nutrients.
When oranges are harvested, they undergo an extraction process similar to manually squeezing fruit at home.
In this process, oranges are first thoroughly cleaned and then passed through a series of mechanical devices such as rollers or presses. These machines apply pressure to the oranges, breaking down the fruit and releasing the juice contained within the pulp. As a result of this mechanical extraction, the juice is collected and separated from the solid parts.
Concentration
The extracted fruit juice is then subjected to a concentration process designed to remove a substantial portion of its water content. This critical step involves the application of heat and/or freezing to separate the water from the juice, transforming it into a dense, syrupy liquid, and playing a pivotal role in enhancing the flavor while preserving the juice’s essential components.
During the concentration of apple juice, the extracted juice undergoes a concentration process. Initially, the juice is gently heated, causing some of the water within it to evaporate. This reduction in moisture content results in a more concentrated liquid.
You might also like: How Long Does Orange Juice Last?
Following this initial heating stage, the partially concentrated juice may be subjected to freezing. By freezing the juice and then gradually thawing it, the ice crystals are separated from the concentrated juice. These ice crystals contain a significant portion of the water content and are removed. This leaves behind a highly concentrated apple juice with a thick and syrupy consistency.
Throughout the concentration process, the natural apple flavor is intensified, and the essential components of the juice are preserved. The result of this concentration process is apple juice concentrate, which serves as a versatile ingredient in the food and beverage industry. It can be easily transported, stored for extended periods, and later reconstituted by adding water.
Storage
Once concentrated, the fruit juice is stored in this condensed form. This form requires significantly less storage space, making it a practical choice for manufacturers and distributors. An example of storing fruit juice in its concentrated form can be found in the global orange juice industry.
In the production of orange juice concentrate, the juice is typically stored in large containers or drums in its concentrated state. These containers are sealed airtight to prevent moisture and contaminants from entering. In the United States, the brix (sugar concentration) value for concentrated orange juice should be at least 14.0:1.
This high sugar concentration and reduced moisture content substantially extend the orange juice’s shelf life. By removing much of the water, the growth of microorganisms that can lead to spoilage is inhibited. This means the product can be stored safely and remain palatable for a much longer period than its non-concentrated counterpart.
Reconstitution
Prior to consumption, concentrated fruit juice typically undergoes reconstitution. This involves adding the appropriate amount of water to the concentrated juice. Through this simple step, the juice regains its original liquid state, ready to be enjoyed as a flavorful and refreshing beverage.
Powdered lemonade mix is an example of how reconstitution can transform concentrated fruit juice back into a liquid form, ready for consumption.
It is a popular product that is readily available in many grocery stores. This mix is essentially concentrated lemonade that has been processed and dehydrated. The series of steps that removes most of its water content, leaving behind a powder. To enjoy a glass of lemonade, consumers simply need to add the appropriate amount of water to reconstitute the powder.
The process of reconstitution allows consumers to customize the concentration of their lemonade to suit their taste preferences. Some may prefer a more intense and tart flavor, while others may opt for a milder taste by diluting the mix with more water. This flexibility in concentration is a key advantage of reconstituting concentrated fruit juice.
