fromconcentrate

From concentrate, often written as "from concentrate" on product labels, is a designation used in the food and beverage industry to describe liquids that are produced by removing water from a base liquid to create a concentrated form, and later reconstituted with water to reach a target strength. The term is most common for fruit juices (for example orange juice from concentrate) but is also used for tomato juice and other beverages, and less commonly for dairy and plant-based drinks.

In the standard process, the liquid is extracted and clarified, then water is removed under controlled heating and vacuum to form a concentrate. The concentrate can be stored, shipped, or packaged, and reconstituted by adding water before consumption or further processing. Reconstitution levels vary; some products are sold as fully reconstituted at the factory, while others are designed to be diluted at home or by the producer.

Regulatory labeling typically requires clear indication that the product is from concentrate. Common labels include "orange juice from concentrate" or "not from concentrate" for products produced without concentration. In some regions, additional information may be provided about the concentration ratio or the amount of water to be added. Nutritional content is usually stated per serving and may reflect changes due to the concentration and reconstitution process.

Market and environmental considerations include reduced transportation weight and shelf life advantages for concentrates, balanced against consumer preferences for "not from concentrate" products and potential nutrient changes due to processing.