Concentrated apple juice refer to apple juice that has undergone a process to remove a significant portion of its water. It's often used as a natural sweetener in various food products, from beverages to sauces, and can be rehydrated to create apple juice. This concentrate retains some of the vitamins and minerals present in fresh apples, but with a higher concentration of sugars.
Nutritional Profile (per 100 grams).
- Calories Approximately 166 kcal.
- Protein Trace amounts.
- Fat None.
- Carbohydrates About 41 grams, most of which are sugars.
- Fiber Minimal or none.
- Vitamins and Minerals Contains some vitamins such as vitamin C and minerals like potassium, although in smaller amounts compared to unconcentrated juice.
Raw materials used in production.
- Apples, preferably sweet and mature varieties, are the main raw material. The apple varieties used can vary depending on the region and desired end product.
Step-by-step summary of industrial production process.
- Harvesting and preparation. Apples are harvested, cleaned, and chopped.
- Juice extraction. Juice is extracted from the chopped apples using pressing or centrifugation.
- Clarification. The juice is clarified to remove impurities and solid particles.
- Concentration. The clarified juice is then concentrated via vacuum evaporation or reverse osmosis to remove a significant portion of the water.
- Packaging. The concentrated juice is then packaged into suitable containers for sale or further processing.
Form and color.
Concentrated apple juice has a liquid appearance, variable density, and a color that ranges from light yellow to light brown, depending on the apple varieties used and the production process.
Commercial applications.
Used in numerous applications in the food industry, including baked goods, beverages, jellies, and also as a natural sweetener in various products.
Food Industry. Concentrated apple juice is used as a natural sweetener, ingredient, or flavoring in a variety of food products like ice creams, sweets, beverages, and as a base for drinks.
Cooking. Used in various recipes for desserts, marinades, and sauces due to its sweetness and fruity flavor.
Beverage Production. Concentrated apple juice is also utilized in producing certain alcoholic beverages and ciders.
Health Sector. While it is predominantly sugar, concentrated apple juice can offer some nutritional benefits thanks to the compounds from apples.