Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices

Photo: Wikipedia
A clear, vibrant citrus beverage made by reconstituting concentrated juice, offering a consistent, sweet-tart flavor without any fibrous pulp. This refrigerated version delivers a clean, refreshing mouthfeel and a notable dose of natural carbohydrates for quick energy, primarily from fruit sugars.
People cherish it for its bright, familiar citrus flavor that is both comforting and energizing, making it a staple breakfast beverage. Its versatility shines in everything from a standalone drink to a base for smoothies, marinades, and cocktails.
The high natural sugar content can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, particularly concerning for those managing diabetes. To mitigate this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like eggs or nuts) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by limiting intake to 4-6 ounces.
The process of concentrating and later reconstituting juice was developed in the early 20th century to solve the problem of transporting perishable fresh juice over long distances, revolutionizing the global citrus industry.
| Water | 88.3 g |
| Energy (Atwater General Factors) | 47.2 kcal |
| Energy (Atwater Specific Factors) | 45.7 kcal |
| Nitrogen | 0.12 g |
| Protein | 0.73 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.33 g |
| Ash | 0.35 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.3 g |
| Sugars, Total | 8.3 g |
| Sucrose | 4.4 g |
| Glucose | 1.8 g |
| Fructose | 2.1 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Citric acid | 706 mg |
| Malic acid | 161 mg |
| Oxalic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Quinic acid | 12.3 mg |
| Calcium, Ca | 12.8 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.06 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 10.6 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 18.1 mg |
| Potassium, K | 180 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5.2 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.03 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.03 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 26.9 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.07 mg |
| Niacin | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 29.9 ug |
How does 'from concentrate' differ from 'not from concentrate'?
'From concentrate' means the water was removed for transport/storage and added back later. 'Not from concentrate' is pasteurized and bottled directly. Nutritionally, they are very similar; the primary difference is in processing and sometimes flavor nuance.
Why is there no sugar listed if it's sweet?
The nutrition label likely lists 'Total Sugars' which includes naturally occurring fruit sugars (fructose). 'Added Sugars' would be zero if no extra sugar was put in during processing.
Is this a good source of vitamin C?
While oranges are rich in vitamin C, the concentration and reconstitution process can degrade some of it. However, many brands add back vitamin C as a preservative, so it can still be a good source—check the nutrition label for the % Daily Value.