Juice Vs. Concentrate

by Michael Madson

Overview

When it comes to fruit drinks, a stroll through the grocery store will reveal a legion of juices and concentrates. Different brands have their own recipes, but here's how juices and concentrates stack up.
Features

Juice is liquid extracted from a fruit, such as an orange or an apple, or from another plant. Removing water from juice forms concentrate, a syrupy substance.

Production

Orange juice and concentrate undergo similar production processes of picking, squeezing and pasteurizing. The difference comes in the final step, when a hot evaporator turns juice into concentrate.
Nutrition

Juices and concentrates offer the same nutritional benefits. According to the Standard Nutrient Database from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (2009), raw orange juice and diluted orange juice concentrate contain a nearly identical amount of calories, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Storage and Shipping

Because it takes up less space, concentrate is easier to store and cheaper to ship. According to Slate.com (2008), not-from-concentrate juice can take up five or six times more space.
Fun Fact

AllBusiness.com (2008) reports that, in 2007, the average American downed nearly 13 gallons of juice and other fruit drinks, a decrease from 13.4 gallons in 2006 and 13.9 gallons in 2005.

Overview