How to Know if Fruit Juice is Fresh

How to Know if a Fruit Juice is Freshly Prepared or Not?

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Drinking fresh fruit juice is a delight. It not only appeals to the taste buds but also provides numerous benefits to the human body. It is possible to squeeze fresh juice at home before drinking. However, it may be difficult for you to judge if the fresh juice available on the market is actually fresh. We have the information you need if you wonder how to know if fruit juice is fresh.

Many juice brands put a ‘Fresh’ label on the box. While it may entice some consumers, many show concerns about its truth. Let’s explore some indicators that can help you identify whether the fruit juice is fresh or not.

Factors to Test the Freshness of Fruit Juices

Storage Containers

One key indicator that distinguishes fresh juice from preserved types is the storage container. Fresh fruit juices come in airtight containers with a one-day or two-day expiration. These juices do not contain any preservatives. Juice producers squeeze the fresh fruits to store the nectar in small containers.

The juice might not be fresh if you find an expiration period longer than a few days. In such cases, you may opt for other options with a low expiration period.

Juice Color

Another crucial factor in identifying a fruit juice’s freshness is its color. Typically, fresh fruit juices change their color when stored for a few days. The color turns darker due to the loss of several nutrients present in the freshly squeezed juice. If you extract fresh juice at home, you may have an idea of the fresh juice’s color.

When you head to the nearby market to get fresh juice, you may compare the color to test its freshness. If the color seems darker, you may want to skip it.

Bad Smell

You may have to open the juice can for this indicator. If the juice smells bad, you may want to avoid drinking it. Some juice sellers justify the pungent smell with the presence of preservatives in the juice. In either case, you can be clear that the juice is not freshly prepared. Typically, the foul smell results from microorganisms in the juice.

A good way to work around this problem is by getting a juice container from a supermarket. If the smell seems bad, you can return or replace it.

Strong Taste

Some fruits, like oranges, taste stronger than others when squeezed into fresh juice. However, if the taste is too strong, the juice might not be freshly prepared. The juice turns strong if stored for a few days. The loss of nutrients and the presence of microorganisms can turn the taste towards the bitter side.

If the strong taste of your fresh juice rings an alarming bell, you may want to return it or replace it with another box available in the supermarket.

Mold Formation

In rare cases, fresh juices can form mold inside the containers. Mold formation occurs when the storage containers are not airtight. It can also result from the expansion of gasses inside the containers. You can identify the presence of mold by shaking the juice box slightly. In transparent packaging, you can find mold floating on the surface.

Mold formation can lead to health problems if drank. You may carefully check the container before buying the fresh juice.

Can Spoiled Juice Make You Sick?

Drinking fresh juice can provide high nutritional value to the human body. However, storing the juice for a few days can spoil it. Spoiled juice can have adverse effects on your health. The microorganisms present in the juice can cause stomach infection, diarrhea, acid reflux, and bad throat. It may also make you nauseous.

Drinking the fruit juice in its fresh state is vital to get the maximum nutritional benefits. You may opt for a trusted store to get freshly squeezed juices when not home.

Wrapping Up

The above information can help you distinguish fresh juice from spoiled forms. The effects of spoiled fruit juice can lead to a series of health problems if ignored. To explore more indicators to identify the freshness of fruit juices, you can search online and review some of the valuable resources.