Concentrate, NFC, or Puree: Choosing the Right Citrus Format
Start with what the format is actually doing
Citrus formats aren't just different concentrations of the same juice: each one is engineered to solve a specific processing or sensory problem. Choosing the wrong one usually shows up downstream as sedimentation, inconsistent mouthfeel, or a flavor profile that doesn't survive shelf life.
Cells and micronised cells: texture without pulp problems
Cells (orange, grapefruit white/red, lemon) and micronised cells (orange, grapefruit) deliver authentic juice-sac texture and mouthfeel without the sedimentation and clogging risk of raw pulp, useful anywhere you want a 'natural, not-from-concentrate' sensory cue in a beverage or dairy application.
Cloudy vs. clear vs. low-sedimentation concentrates
Clear concentrates suit applications where visual clarity matters: carbonated soft drinks, flavored waters. Cloudy concentrates carry more body and are the default for traditional juice and nectar formats. Low-sedimentation concentrates (available in grapefruit, lemon and orange) sit between the two: they keep cloud stability over shelf life without the settling that standard cloudy concentrate can show in extended storage.
Purees (comminuted) for whole-fruit character
Our comminuted purees (orange, grapefruit, lemon and lime, each available at 1x, 3x and 4x concentration) retain oil and pulp character from the whole fruit. These are the right call when a formulation needs to read as 'whole fruit' rather than 'juice,' particularly in smoothies, sauces and bakery fillings.
NFC juice: when 'not from concentrate' is the claim you need
NFC (not-from-concentrate) juice is never re-concentrated after extraction, which is precisely the point: it's for brands making an NFC label claim. We supply NFC across blood orange, grapefruit (white and red/pink), lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, and specialty citrus including yuzu, sudachi, kabosu and Sumo orange (shiranui).
The practical takeaway
If you're optimizing for shelf clarity, choose clear concentrate. For traditional juice body, cloudy. For extended cloud stability, low-sedimentation. For whole-fruit character, puree. For an NFC label claim, NFC, full stop. Our applications team can map any of these to your specific process line; reach out through the Contact page with your target format and application.