Many people choose to buy ready-made fruit smoothie and juice. This is beneficial as long as they buy the right one. Ready-made juice require different ways of storage as various processes are used to make them. Some of them have to be stored in the refrigerator and some of them just sits on the shelf for months. Always check the label, and examine the ingredients panel carefully for more information.
Concentrates
Concentrated juice is juice that has been boiled and evaporated in a vacuum. These are then homogenised and frozen, ready to be shipped to their final destinations. They are defrosted then, reconstituted with water and has additives added to enhance flavour and aroma. This concentration process dramatically affects the nutritional value and the taste of the juice.
Freshly Squeezed
The freshly squeezed juice is juice made from fruit that has been imported to their destination in its natural state inside its own peel. The fruit is then squeezed and bottled locally. Fresh juices have the best nutritional value as they are full of vitamins and minerals that we need every day.
Not From Concentrate (NFC)
Not From Concentarte juice are neither reshly squeezed, nor a concentrate. Usually, Not From Concentrate (NFC) juice is frozen fresh juice, shipped to the final destination and defrosted there. These are much better then a concentrate.
Pasteurisation
Two types of pasteurisation are used – gentle and UHT (Ultra Heat Treatment).
Gentle pasteurisation is process used on fresh milk, and for some juices. Juice is heated for a very short period of time to a moderate temperature that does not affect the taste or nutritional value of the juice. This only gets rid of the bugs that make juice go bad.
UHT pasteurisation is the treatment usually used in production of long-life milk. This results in juice that can sit on shelf unrefrigated for months because anything that cause juice goes bad has been removed. As oppose the gentle pasteurisation an UHT pasteurisation is process where extreme temperatures are used for a long period of time resulting in very little nutrition value of the juice.
Pure 100% Juice
Nothing is used in pure 100% Juice apart from juice. However, the juice may not be fresh, it could be NFC or it could also contain concentrates.
Smoothie
Smoothie is a blend of crushed fruit or vegetables with a freshly squeezed juice. Proper smoothie should not contain any added sugar or water and should be made with fresh juice rather than concentrated one. It should be thicker and pulpier than normal juice and it should also be free from any additives. These should be always stored in refrigerator as they have a very short durability.
Juice or Smoothie?
Fresh juice and smoothie contain enzymes that are responsible for the digestion and absorption of food into the body. Cooking and processing fruit and vegetables destroys these enzymes reduces its natural health benefit and nutrition value.
Remember, when buying ready-made juices and smoothies, buy the one that has the best nutrition value. Always check the label for ingredients and the information about the nutrition value, or make your own home made smoothie and juice at home.
