Customers have a lot of queries about fruit juices due to their wide diversity. One often asked issue concerns the distinction between pure juice and concentrate. What is a concentrate? What is a pure juice? And how do the versions differ when both are labelled as 100% fruit content? We discuss the differences and similarities between these wonderful fruit-based beverages. And why Rabenhorst only makes pure juices.
What exactly Constitutes a Pure Juice?
The term pure juice refers to fruit juices that include solely the processed fruits’ natural, fruit-own components. The juice therefore always represents the inherent flavor accents of the fruits utilized, which may differ slightly depending on the growth circumstances. Pure juices, therefore, cannot be completely standardised in terms of flavor and scent.
The process of producing pure juice may be stated as follows:
- Fresh fruits are sorted, crushed, and pressed after being harvested.
- They are then centrifuged and filtered as needed.
- The juice is then pasteurized and finally, the purified juice is bottled.
What is a Concentrate?
Fruit juice from concentrate, on the other hand, is a product that has been made by combining concentrated fruit juice with drinking water. Water and flavourings are initially removed from the squeezed juice before being reintroduced in the subsequent manufacturing process. Modern culinary technology may be used to create a juice that always tastes the same, independent of the particular fruit flavor, by building it from separate components.
The process of producing fruit juice from fruit juice concentrate can be stated as follows:
- Fresh fruits are sorted, crushed, and pressed after they have been harvested.
- In some fruits, such as oranges, the pulp is separated from the liquid via centrifugation.
- During filtering, suspended stuff is removed from the juice.
- Then the process of concentration begins. During this procedure, the flavourings are separated from the juice, and the fruit’s natural water is removed. This produces a thick concentration.
- The concentrate, as well as the flavourings and pulp, may now be shipped throughout the world in a space-saving manner.
- The process of reconstitution begins at the production site. During this procedure, drinking water, the fruit’s natural flavors, and, if required, fruit pulp are put back into the concentrate.
- The juice from the fruit juice concentrate is pasteurized and packaged.
Major Differences Between Flavor Concentrates and Juices
Nothing beats the flavor, texture, and intensity of pure juices. Imagine having a Pina Colada prepared with fresh pineapple juice under a thatched canopy on the beach. Or the pure cranberry juice mocktail when it’s your turn to be the designated driver for the evening.
Real juices are excellent. However, while they are the aim or gold standard for flavor in the production of commercial beverages, employing juices alone is sometimes insufficient due to several inherent limitations.
- Availability / Seasonality
As previously said, the only source of juice is its fruit or vegetable, the majority of which have distinct growth seasons in certain parts of the world. Of course, weather patterns, storms, and numerous pest infestations may all have a negative impact on the trees and plants that produce fruits and vegetables. Also, juices compete with their parent fruits for various uses, such as whole-fresh, canned, frozen, dried, and so on. Non-juice applications of fruits and vegetables are often more expensive/profitable than juices. For these reasons, the supply of juices is inherently finite each year.
With a diverse range of ingredients that may be utilized in flavor concentrates, it is seldom difficult to get the raw materials required to create fruit or vegetable flavors. In most circumstances, if an ingredient becomes unavailable, alternative raw materials may be replaced with little or no change in flavor.
- Consistency
The flavor, aroma, and sweetness (brix) of natural fruits and vegetables cultivated in the same place and from the same trees, vines, and plants change from season to season, often dramatically. As a result, practically every year, certain changes to beverage recipes containing large volumes of natural juice are necessary. Natural variation modifications are significantly less prevalent with juice concentrates, making them easier to make.
- Flexibility
Natural juices from a specific plant species or location have a distinct flavor. Blending juices from various species or areas can provide flexibility or complexity to the flavor, but it can be time-consuming and difficult to recreate season after season. Natural flavor concentrates, on the other hand, may be designed to produce a wide range of flavor profiles to fit a variety of signature tastes.
- Stability
The shelf life of natural fruit and vegetable juices is rather short. For example, professionally canned foods may stay stable for a year or two at most, but once opened, even if refrigerated, they have a shelf life of only a few weeks. Other juices have similar or lower shelf life, regardless of how they are prepared.
Best Place to Premium quality Juice Concentrates
Keith Schare established Schare & Associates – Best Fruit Concentrate Suppliers, has previously worked in the fruit concentrates industry since 1992. They’ve had the pleasure of interacting with thousands of customers and suppliers over the years, and they’ve always been dedicated to treating each one with decency and justice. They provide the highest quality fruit concentrate juice at great price.
Success Stories
“I have been purchasing products from Schare & Associates since 2013 and I must say that I have really enjoyed working with them. I have saved a tremendous amount of money on my food ingredients but more importantly, Schare always stands behind their products. I find it refreshing to deal with a company with such a high level of ethics, a rare commodity in today’s world. I always know that when I deal with Schare & Associates, I will be happy and satisfied with my purchase and usually, I will save a lot of money.”
“I have been working with Schare & Associates for many years and I can personally tell you that there is no more honest or ethical company in the industry. In the food industry, there are many ups and downs. You can’t expect every deal to be perfect. What I have found most important is how a company deals with adversity. Schare & Associates always stands behind their products and always does the right thing. I wish there were more companies like Schare & Associates in the industry.
