Why do juice drinks contain so little juice?

Question

There are many drinks on the shelves of grocery stores that claim to be made with fruit juice, but the juice content could be as low as 1 percent. Can trace amounts of fruit juice effect the flavor of a beverage or only the sales?

I already know where to get actual juice. I rarely buy the "juice drinks" with less than 27% juice. I'm wondering if there is some component to fruit juice that is potent enough to improve the quality of a beverage at a 20:1 dilution. If such a substance exists, what is it, and why can't they just add it instead of the juice?

For the record, I'm not concerned about the sugar content of my beverages. Kraft Foods makes a wonderful product called "Kool-Aid" that contains no juice, and it's fortified with vitamin C. I'm bothered that companies would add a negligible amount of juice to a product for the sole purpose of increasing sales. It's an insult to the intelligence of consumers. Can a relatively small amount of juice improve the actual quality of a beverage, or only the perceived quality?

This isn't a problem that needs a solution. I suspect that the addition of juice is just a ploy to sell more product. I've added fruit juice to Kool-Aid, and the resulting concoction tastes better than unadulterated juice-free beverage, but I use a significant amount of juice in the mix. I was hoping that a food chemist could weigh in and tell me the scientific details about how and why juice can improve the flavor of a beverage even at a 1% solution.

Answer 1

I dont think you're looking for a solution. It sounds like you just wanna know why.

My opinion is that these companies want to maximize their profit by using the lease amount of juice and more sugar, food coloring, and other cheap additives and preservatives, in their product. As long as it tastes good (which it usually does with all that sugar), then they will be able to use marketing, packaging, commercials, and whatever else to sell it. And people usually buy it, not concerned that there is 1% actual juice in there. Most consumers don't look at labels is my opinion.

There might be some law that says in order to put "juice" on the label, you have to have a minimum percentage of juice in there. So these companies comply and maximize their profit. That's just my opinion. great question. Thx!

Answer 2

Many if these companies would prefer putting more water, sugar, and other items that are not good for you or I. Much less our children.

There is a juice that is all natural. It does have water but the juice from the fruit out weight the water. This juice authentic and can be apart of your every day regimen.

I believe that if there is a trace of juice in a drink product that claims to be a fruit drink, that should effect the sale of that items. If the juice has more of that juice flavor in it, the profit of the latter juice should be higher then the first.

Answer 3

Hello:

The answer to your question is because ALOT of supposed fruit juice drinks contain so little fruit juice,is because they are full of nothing but sugar,food coloring,and water,I am not kidding! Your best bet would be a juice like Juicy Juice because it is 100% fruit juice,and it comes in a wide range of flavors!! I hope this has been helpful for you?? ;-) P.S. I would stay away from any sort of,"juice drinks,"and look for the labels that say 100% fruit juice,not fruit drinks!! ;-)

Answer 4

This is an easy fix, BUY THE ONES MARKED 100% JUICE. And look at the ingredients if you have questions. It's is a well known fact that most "juices" do NOT contain much actually juice but the ones that do are out there. The times I do buy the others I make sure they are no-sugar, at least.

Answer 5

many times, we make our very own juice. So, no, i'm no longer apprehensive approximately it. as quickly as we do drink shop juice (if we are out someplace / with a juice field), I nevertheless heavily isn't all that fussed. How long have those beverages contained the lead besides?

Answer 6

It seems as if you answered your own question. We as consumers want to appear more health conscious and the marketing gurus want to make us feel as if we have made an educated and healthy choice. Their is no real added benefit of adding a negligible amount of a diluted fruit juice to a product,

Answer 7

Darn good question.
My wife and I recently noticed this...and most of the so-called "fruit juices" are mainly filtered water and corn syrup or fructose.
And very, very little REAL fruit juice.

We've found that the health food stores carry near 100% fruit juice, but you do pay more $$$.

Not sure how to address your last question, though!

Answer 8

Buy Juicy Juice brand. It's 100% juice.

Answer 9

I think they just want the money. So the companies adds a tiny bit of juice so that they can call it juice.

Answer 10

they figure people do not read the package and try to sell the item with as little as possible