Fresh Apple Juice: How We Make It

Article Contents

• What is direct-pressed juice
• How does it differ from concentrated juice
• What apples are used
• How does the Voran press work
• Why is the juice cloudy
• Pasteurization
• Bag-in-Box
• Benefits
• FAQ

Natural, direct-pressed apple juice is juice obtained directly from fresh apples without concentrate, added water, or preservatives.

We produce it on professional Voran equipment and bottle it in Bag-in-Box to preserve the natural aroma and taste of apples.

Behind each package is a real production process: from selecting apple varieties to pressing and bottling. In this article, we will tell you exactly how natural, direct-pressed apple juice is made.

What is direct-pressed juice (NFC)

Direct-pressed juice (NFC — Not From Concentrate) is a natural fruit juice obtained by pressing fresh apples without concentration.

This means that after pressing, the juice:

• is not converted into a concentrate
• is not evaporated
• is not diluted with water before bottling
• is not added sugar or preservatives

This production method allows you to maximally preserve the natural aroma, taste and nutrients of apples.

Most juices in supermarkets are made from concentrate. In this case, the water is first evaporated from the fruit, obtaining a concentrate, which is then transported and reconstituted by adding water.

Directly pressed juice is produced differently - it does not go through the concentration stage.

How is directly pressed juice different from concentrated juice

Directly pressed juice and reconstituted juice are different products in terms of production technology.

Directly pressed juice:

• is pressed from fresh apples
• does not contain added water
• is not made from concentrate
• has a natural turbidity
• preserves the aroma of fresh fruit

Reconstituted juice:

• is made from concentrate
• is diluted with water before bottling
• is more technological stages
• usually transparent

That is why natural apple juice from direct pressing has a richer aroma and natural taste.

What apples do we use

The taste of natural apple juice is 70% determined by the quality of the raw materials.

We use several varieties of apples that are well suited for the production of direct pressing juice.

• Antonivka. A classic Ukrainian variety with pronounced sourness and rich aroma.
• Golden Delicious. A sweet variety with mild acidity and honey notes.
• Aidared. A juicy sweet-sour variety with a good balance of sugar and acid.
• Gala. Has a delicate fruity aroma and mild taste.
• Fuji. One of the sweetest varieties with a high natural sugar content.
• Gloucester. A late-ripening, juicy variety that is well suited for pressing.

Depending on the season, we use individual varieties or a blend to achieve a stable taste.

To produce 1 liter of apple juice, approximately 1.2–1.5 kg of fresh apples are required.

Washing and sorting apples

After harvesting, the apples are sent to the production and prepared.

First, the fruits are thoroughly washed in running water - this removes dust, soil and other contaminants.

This is followed by manual sorting on a conveyor belt. Operators select apples with signs of damage, rot or mold.

Only high-quality, ripe and clean fruits are pressed - this directly affects the taste of the future juice.

Pressing on Voran equipment

The heart of our production is a belt press from the Austrian company Voran. This is professional equipment that is widely used for the production of direct-pressed juices.

Such equipment is used in professional juice production in many European countries.

The process takes place in several stages.

First, the apples are crushed in a crusher and turned into fruit mass - pulp.

Then the pulp enters a belt press, where two filter belts gradually compress it, squeezing out the juice.

The pressure increases gradually, which allows:

• to obtain maximum juice yield
• to avoid overheating
• to preserve aroma and natural substances

The juice yield is approximately 75–78% of the mass of apples, depending on the variety.

Why is our juice cloudy

Natural Unfiltered apple juice has a natural turbidity.

After pressing, microparticles of pulp, pectins and plant fibers remain in the juice. Turbid unfiltered apple juice contains 2-4 times more polyphenols and antioxidants than clear clarified juice.

That is why natural, direct-pressed juice is considered more nutritious.

We do not clarify or filter the juice to preserve the natural structure of the product.

Just shake the bag lightly before drinking.

Pasteurization of juice

To ensure product safety, the juice is pasteurized at a temperature of approximately 85°C.

This mode allows:

• to destroy unwanted microorganisms
• to stop fermentation
• to preserve the natural taste and aroma

Pasteurization is the only method of preserving juice that we use. We do not add preservatives, stabilizers or flavor enhancers.

Why we use Bag-in-Box

After pasteurization, hot juice is poured into Bag-in-Box — a special package consisting of a sealed bag and a cardboard box.

The main format is 3 liters.

• Tightness. The valve does not let air through even after opening — the juice does not oxidize and does not lose its taste.
• Long-term storage. After opening, the juice is stored in the refrigerator for 4–6 weeks.
• Convenience. The 3-liter format is convenient for daily use — it is a supply of fresh juice for a week or two for the whole family.

In our catalog you can order natural, direct-pressed apple juice in the format Bag-in-Box with delivery.

Benefits of direct-pressed apple juice

Natural direct-pressed apple juice contains substances that are naturally present in fresh apples and are preserved during pressing.

It contains:

• Vitamin C - supports the immune system and is a natural antioxidant.
• B vitamins - participate in metabolism and the functioning of the nervous system.
• Potassium - is important for the cardiovascular system.
• Pectins - support normal digestion.
• Polyphenols - natural antioxidants that protect cells from oxidation.

These substances are naturally found in apples and are converted into juice during pressing. Unfiltered juice preserves them in maximum quantities - that's why we don't light the product.

You can view the range of natural apple juice in our online store.
Order apple juice →