Who doesn’t love that refreshing glass of orange liquid that appears on breakfast tables around the world? Orange juice – no matter how you choose to consume it – is the most popular fruit juice on the market. Every morning, millions of people begin their day with a glass of orange juice, and for many families, it’s a staple that always has a place of honor in the refrigerator.
But what attracts people to drink this juice every single day? For many, it’s simply the excellent taste that gets the morning off to a good start. Others enjoy both the great taste and the nutritional benefits that come with drinking orange juice.
Regardless of why you drink it, you probably have a favorite type of OJ. For some, it’s nothing but fresh-squeezed. Others prefer the ready-to-drink version of orange juice, while some choose the frozen concentrate variety. Have you ever wondered about the differences between the various types of orange juice available at your grocery store?
Orange Juice Varieties
Basically, there are three types of orange juice available in supermarkets across the U.S. and Canada. (Fresh-squeezed juice is not typically found in stores because it’s nearly impossible to preserve and market it to the masses.)
- Frozen concentrate: The name says it all. Frozen concentrate orange juice is found in the freezer section of the grocery store. The orange “liquid” inside is concentrated, and to drink it, you must add cold water and stir until the concentrate is fully dissolved.
- Reconstituted liquid: This is orange juice that was once concentrated but has been diluted prior to sale. It is the second most popular version of the three and is a ready-to-drink (RTD) juice that requires no preparation.
- Not from Concentrate (NFC): Also known as “single strength” juice, this variety was never concentrated. It’s also a ready-to-drink juice and is the most popular variety of OJ in today’s supermarkets.
The History of Orange Juice
Oranges have been grown in Southeast Asia and China for approximately 4,000 years. Historians believe that oranges spread to Africa and the Middle East over the next few centuries and eventually reached Europe during the Arab occupation of Spain (approximately 700 to 1400 AD). Explorers brought them to the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries, and by the 1800s, Florida had developed a thriving orange industry.
By the 1890s, oranges and orange juice gained popularity after it was discovered that the fruit was rich in Vitamin C. Doctors knew that Vitamin C could help prevent a dangerous disease of the time – scurvy.
The commercial orange juice industry emerged in the 1920s, and OJ consumption began to increase dramatically, especially after pasteurization techniques and new canning processes improved in the 1930s. Orange juice tasted better and was safer to drink.
Frozen concentrate was invented near the end of World War II, and for four decades, it was the best-selling orange juice on the market. Its popularity helped fuel the growth of the Florida orange industry.
It wasn’t until the mid-1980s that ready-to-drink (RTD) juices outsold the frozen variety. Today, more than 75% of North American consumers drink RTD juices, while about 25% remain loyal to frozen concentrate.
Health Benefits of Orange Juice
The best reason to drink orange juice is, of course, the Vitamin C found in this refreshing beverage. Vitamin C offers a wide range of health benefits. It’s one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, fighting free radicals that can contribute to cancer and heart disease. Studies have also shown that drinking a glass of orange juice each day reduces the risk of ischemic stroke by 25%.
Additionally, Vitamin C helps the body fight infections like colds and the flu, and it’s essential for tissue repair, wound healing, and bone regeneration. For expectant mothers, Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and aids in the development of the baby’s bones and teeth.
