Category/Apple juices

The category Apple Juices contains products obtained by extracting the fluids (the juice) from Apples { Malus domestica Borkh.). These products must contain at least 99% juice. Apple juices are either bottled after extraction, the Pure apple juices or they are first concentrated and later hydrated, the Apple juices from concentrate. Apple juice can have added minerals or vitamins: the Enriched apple juices. Apple juices which add flavours, like vanilla, ginger, etc, are found under Flavoured apple juices, or when carbon dioxide is added: Sparkling apple juices. Apple juices that are extracted from a specific apple variety can be found under Monovarietal apple juices.

Ingredients

The definition of this category follows the EU regulation, which implies that the apple juice products have No added sugar and No colorings.

Required ingredients

The following ingredients are required for products in this category:

• apple juice, either pure apple juice or apple juice from concentrate;
• apple juice from concentrate, which might be split in water and concentrated apple juice;

Optional ingredients

• potassium sorbate (E202) as a preservative;
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid (E300));
• malic acid (E296) for acidity or preservation;
• citric acid (E330) for preservation;
• carbon dioxide (E290) to get sparkling apple juices;
• flavouring, most of the time some natural apple flavouring or extract;

Disallowed ingredients

Any product that contains these disallowed ingredients, should be listed in another category:

• any sugar
• any sweetener
• other fruit juices

Production process/labels

An apple juice product might contains mentions on the production process of apple juice. These characteristics are specified as labels:

• production scale: Artisanal production
• growth process: Organic apple juices;
• extraction process: Cold pressed apple juices;
• filtration process: Unfiltered apple juices or Filtered apple juices;
• food preservation: Pasteurised apple juices;
• storage (before opening): Refrigerated apple juices;

Nutritional information

The main nutritional component of Apple juices is Sugar (9.6-11.7% (80%)), which makes up 95% of the carbohydrates and determines the energy of a product (176-212kJ/100ml (80%)) (graph).

Apple juices have only small amounts of fat, saturated fat and protein, i.e. less than 0.5%. And traces of salt (< 0.02%).

Apple juice is seen as a source of Vitamin C (0.5-32.5 mg/100ml (80%) (graph)), 80 mg/100ml is the daily required amount.

And a source of Potassium (75-125 mg/100ml (80%) (graph)).

Related categories

When producer want to add sugar or dilute the juice more, then they may NOT be called apple juices, but must be called Apple nectars. If apple juice is concentrated, it is no longer a beverage, and can be found under Apple syrups. Apple juices which are mixed with other fruit juices are found under Multifruit juices.

References

• EU legislation
• Wikipedia
• Apple juices category analysis