Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate or FOJC was developed after reliable refrigeration systems were invented. In the early days of orange juice, industry mostly relied on salvaged fruits. These fruits however were unsuitable for regular consumption because most were out of shape, blemished or badly-colored.
The advances in pasteurization and the invention of porcelain-lined cans in the 1930’s led to improved juice quality and the juice industry significantly expanded. In 1944, scientists discovered a way to concentrate fruit juice in a vacuum and freeze it without destroying the vitamin content and flavor.
Frozen orange juice concentrate gave the troops of World War II delicious and healthy juice. It became such a hit with the American public and soon after, it spread around the world. After World War II, the demand for frozen orange juice concentrates escalated because most Americans have now stopped making their own juices.
More recently, the frozen orange juice industry have experienced a dramatic growth internationally because of the advancement of technological innovation in packaging and the easier access to bulk transportation.
Oranges are extracted in large quantities when making frozen orange juice concentrate. To make the juice concentrated, heat and vacuum is used to remove some of the water.
Sugar levels in oranges are measured with a “brix scale”. When sold to consumers, the brix level of orange juice concentrate is at 42. Adding water to the concentrate to make orange juice will bring the brix level down to 11 or 12. Frozen orange juice concentrate is 3 times more concentrated that regular orange juice.
Making frozen orange juice concentrate though is not as hard as you would imagine. It can be done in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Here’s how to do it:
First, pour fresh orange juice into a narrow-necked plastic container like a jug. Leave room for expansion, cover and freeze. Once the juice is fully frozen, remove the cover and suspend the container upside down over another container. Let the frozen orange juice thaw drip by drip into the lower container until there’s only ice left. Just discard the ice because you won’t need that anymore.
Next, pour back the separated juice into the empty jug and just repeat the freezing and dripping process two more times to produce a fine concentrate.
Finally, store the orange juice concentrate in a jar or put it in ice trays and freeze again.
You now have a homemade frozen orange juice concentrate to enjoy whenever you like. Try it and enjoy!
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