Frozen Juice Concentrate?

Frozen juice concentrate glides effortlessly into any shopping cart at the grocery store.

It’s typically sold in 1-liter bottles that contain 50 ounces (1.4 liters) of pure fruit juice.

The concentrate is thickened with gelatin, which makes it easier to pour from one container into another.

The most popular brands include Tropicana, Minute Maid, and Del Monte.

You may also find frozen juice concentrate at health food stores, such as Whole Foods Market.

These products are usually more expensive than the mass-produced variety you see in supermarkets, but they’re worth paying extra for if you want to avoid GMOs.

How do you make frozen juice concentrate?

To create frozen juice concentrate, manufacturers extract the juice from fresh fruit and then freeze it.

Once the juice has been extracted, it’s mixed with a thickening agent called gelatin.

Gelatin helps keep the juice from separating during freezing, so the product doesn’t need to be shaken before it’s poured out of the bottle.

Gelatin also adds flavor to the juice concentrate.

Most brands of frozen juice concentrate use apple or grape juice as their base.

Other fruits that are commonly used include orange, kiwi, blueberry, mango, and pineapple.

Some companies even produce frozen juice concentrate made entirely from fresh fruit.

What is in frozen juice concentrate?

Each brand of frozen juice concentrate contains different amounts of sugar, vitamin C, and other nutrients.

For example, Tropicana’s 100% Pure Fruit Juice Concentrate has about 10 grams of sugar per serving. A single serving is equal to 8 fluid ounces (237 milliliters).

Tropicana’s 100% Pure Fruit Juice Concentrate also has about 45 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C.

That’s higher than the amount found in some other brands, including Minute Maid’s Orange & Grapefruit Concentrate, which has only 30 percent of the recommended daily value.

Other brands of frozen juice concentrate offer similar nutrient profiles.

For instance, Del Monte’s Tropical Blend contains about 20 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C, while Minute Maid’s Orange & Grapefruit Concentrate has only about 15 percent of the daily value.

How long does frozen juice concentrate last?

Because frozen juice concentrate is processed using natural ingredients, it lasts longer than prepackaged juices.

In fact, some brands will claim that their product keeps almost indefinitely.

However, the shelf life of each brand depends on how well it was stored.

If you purchase frozen juice concentrate in a sealed plastic bag, it should stay good for up to six months.

If you buy it in a sealed glass jar, it may last up to nine months.

But there’s no guarantee.

Does frozen juice concentrate have to be refrigerated?

No.

Unlike canned foods, frozen juice concentrate doesn’t have to be kept cold to preserve its quality.

However, it should always be stored in a cool place.

This is because the gelatin thaws when exposed to heat, which could ruin the taste of the drink.

Can you freeze frozen juice concentrate?

Yes, this type of frozen juice concentrate is safe to put in the freezer.

Just keep an eye on the expiration date, as it may not last as long as the manufacturer claims.

What happens if you eat frozen juice concentrate?

Although frozen juice concentrate is generally considered safe, it still carries some risks.

Since it’s made from concentrated fruit juice, you’ll likely ingest a lot of sugar without realizing it.

A single serving of Tropicana’s 100% Pure Fruit Juice Concentrate has about 10 grams of sugar.

That’s enough to spike your blood glucose level and cause insulin spikes.

And since the sugar content of frozen juice concentrate tends to vary by brand, you might end up consuming more sugar than you intended.

If you don’t know what your body needs, you should stick to whole fruits instead.

They’re lower in sugar and higher in fiber and vitamins.

Is frozen juice concentrate healthy?

In general, yes.

While frozen juice concentrate isn’t as nutritious as fresh fruit, it’s still better for you than sugary drinks like sodas and energy shots.

Plus, frozen juice concentrate is often cheaper than fresh fruit.

One caveat:

If you choose a low-quality frozen juice concentrate, it could contain high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors, or other additives that aren’t approved for human consumption.

Check the label carefully before buying.

How many calories are in frozen juice concentrate?

Since frozen juice concentrate is made from concentrates rather than whole fruits, it contains less sugar and fewer calories than fresh fruit.

For example, one serving of Tropicana’s 100% Pure Fruit Juice Concentrate contains 10 grams of sugar and about 150 calories.

One cup of fresh grapes contains about 13 grams of sugar and 110 calories.

What is the best frozen juice concentrate?

There isn’t just one best frozen juice concentrate.

Each brand offers a slightly different blend of fruits, so you’ll have to decide whether the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

For instance, Tropicana’s 100% Pure Fruit Juice Concentrate is the cheapest option available, but it also has the highest concentration of sugar.

On the other hand, Del Monte’s Tropical Blend is the most nutritious option, but it costs a little bit more than other brands.

As you shop around, you should pay attention to the nutrition information listed on the label.

This shows you exactly how much sugar, fat, and protein each serving of frozen juice concentrate contains.

What are the side effects of frozen juice concentrate?

Like all other types of liquid, frozen juice concentrate can lead to dehydration.

Even though it’s fortified with electrolytes, you shouldn’t consume too much of it.

Excessive intake of sugar can also trigger weight gain.

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