Orange juice concentrate is most often used to flavor beverages, food items and desserts. Concentrated juice has a longer shelf life and is less prone to spoilage than fresh-squeezed orange juice, though it lacks the fiber of whole fruits and tends to be low in vitamins.
Orange juice is an excellent source of Vitamin C, which helps keep your skin, bones, gums, and teeth healthy while combatting scurvy.
Additionally, grape seed extract has antioxidant properties which may reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol levels, and protect against certain cancers and heart disease.
Orange juice concentrate contains less vitamin C than fresh, and it also has more sugar. That is because concentrate has been heated, which destroys heat-sensitive vitamins like Vitamin B and C.
Orange Juice From Concentrate: Is It Healthy?
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an incredibly potent antioxidant that boosts immunity and nourishes skin. Not only that, but it helps heal wounds by relieving inflammation. Moreover, vitamin C contributes to collagen synthesis and the formation of healthy blood vessels.
Vitamin C-fortified juices can provide up to a triple dose of this vitamin in one serving, while calcium-fortified orange juices may supply 35 percent of your daily requirements for this nutrient.
Researchers used voltammetry to measure reduced and oxidized vitamin C levels in frozen concentrates, ready-to-drink juices, and same-lot ready-to-drink juices purchased at local retailers. Samples were analyzed upon purchase and then reanalyzed three times weekly over four to five weeks.
Researchers discovered that reconstituted frozen concentrates contained more vitamin C than their ready-to-drink juice counterparts, which often got pasteurized and thus lost their vitamin C content.
Therefore, researchers recommend drinking these frozen concentrates within one week of purchase to maximize their useful vitamin C levels.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids, also referred to as phytochemicals, are antioxidants found naturally in fruits and vegetables. Research suggests they may play an important role in preventing cancer, heart disease and other chronic illnesses.
Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and carotenoids, antioxidants that may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Furthermore, it’s packed with folate, potassium and magnesium for added nutritional benefits.
Researchers tested a powdered fruit and vegetable juice concentrate to see if it could boost antioxidant levels in blood plasma. They observed that it reduced markers of inflammation while increasing certain antioxidants such as lycopene and lutein concentrations.
Results indicate that concentrated powdered fruits and vegetables may provide a healthier option to processed sugar-filled beverages.
They’re also convenient ways to get your recommended daily dose of vitamins and minerals; however, be sure to read labels carefully and choose a powdered concentrate without added sugar.
Flavonoids
Freshly squeezed orange juice has an acidic citrus taste and is an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium.
Furthermore, it contains various flavonoids which have been linked to numerous health benefits like reduced risk for certain chronic diseases and prevention of certain cardiovascular disorders.
The concentration of volatile flavor compounds in juice is determined by several factors, such as storage and production methods.
For instance, most flavor compounds are boiled off during evaporation, giving orange juice concentrate an unpalatable, cooked taste.
However, some of the volatiles can be collected using an essence-recovery system and added back to the final product by adding back recovered fractions. This is an economical yet effective way of maintaining orange juice concentrate’s distinctive flavor.
Orange juice concentrate’s flavour composition is critical in determining the quality of reconstituted juices, as it shapes consumer preferences and brand image. Furthermore, freshness and marketability can be gauged through this indicator.
Minerals
Orange juice is an excellent source of several essential minerals, such as potassium which helps regulate blood pressure, support bone health and nerve function. Furthermore, it’s packed with vitamin C which may boost your immunity.
However, not all orange juice concentrate is created equal. Some are pasteurized and may include added sugars or other additives.
According to the FDA, if you’re worried about additives in some juice concentrates, read labels carefully. Look for one that says “100 percent juice from concentrate,” or one without flavor packs as an ingredient.
Juice concentrate is created by pressing a large amount of fruit, then using heat and vacuum to remove water. It may then be frozen or kept at room temperature to keep fresh.
Most juice concentrates go into beverages like energy drinks and sports drinks; some companies even add sweetener and preservatives to extend its shelf life.
Making Orange Juice Concentrate
Orange juice concentrate is a product created by extracting most of the water from juice. By doing this, companies can reduce their production costs and sell their goods at lower prices.
Orange juice processing begins with harvesting and transporting citrus fruits to a production facility. There, they are separated according to size before being sent off for extraction in machines that remove both peel and pip from each fruit, leaving behind only juice.
Concentrate is then evaporated to create a powder. At the bottling plant, this powder is combined with water for production of the finished product. Due to evaporation, this makes the powder much lighter and easier to transport.
Orange juice is an excellent source of Vitamin C, a vital nutrient to combat the damaging effects of oxidative stress and inflammation. Furthermore, it contains antioxidants which may protect you against diseases like cancer and heart disease.
If you’re searching for an economical way to boost your vitamin C intake, making orange juice concentrate at home is a great option.
While it may not be as pure and fresh as freshly squeezed juice, this recipe requires less water than most recipes calling for canned orange juice and requires minimal equipment.
Frozen orange juice concentrate can be used in a variety of ways, from adding it to fruit smoothies to creating an Orange Julius.
Not only is this refreshing beverage easy to make at home with no special equipment needed or ingredients needed, but you get to enjoy it as often as desired!
How to Make Orange Juice From Scratch
To make orange juice from scratch, you can use a juicer, blender, or your hands. If using a juicer, simply wash and roughly chop the oranges before adding them to the chute.
If using a blender, peel the oranges and remove the pith before adding them to the jar with some water. If using your hands, rinse the oranges before slicing them in half and squeezing into a glass.
