Revision 303982 of "Help talk:Apple juice" on testwiki

[[File:Apple juice with 3apples.jpg|thumb|Apple juice with 3 [[apple]]s]]
[[Image:Applejuice f83e1c36ea.png|thumb|Clarified apple juice, from which [[pectin]] and [[starch]] have been removed, in a plastic bottle]]
'''Apple juice''' is a [[juice|fruit juice]] made by the [[Maceration (food)|maceration]] and pressing of an [[Apple]]. The resulting expelled juice may be further treated by enzymatic and centrifugal clarification to remove the [[starch]] and [[pectin]], which holds fine particulate in suspension, and then [[pasteurization|pasteurize]]d for packaging in glass, metal or [[aseptic processing]] system containers, or further treated  by dehydration processes to a [[concentrate]]. 
[[File:Russet apple juice.JPG|thumb|[[Russet apple]] juice from [[Bolney]], [[Mid Sussex]], [[England]], in a glass.]]
Due to the complex and costly equipment required to extract and clarify juice from apples in large volume, apple juice is normally produced commercially. In the [[United States]], unfiltered fresh apple juice is made by smaller operations in areas of high apple production, in the form of unclarified [[apple cider]]. Apple juice is one of the most common fruit juices in the world, with world production led by [[China]], [[Poland]], the United States, and [[Germany]].<ref>[http://fruitthemes.com/Apple%20Juice%20Feature%20May%202005.pdf USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. World Apple Juice Situation. 2004-2005.] Retrieved 2008-02-20.</ref>

==Production==
Apples used for apple juice are usually harvested between September and mid-November in the Northern Hemisphere and between February to mid April in the Southern Hemisphere.  A common cultivar used for apple juice is the [[McIntosh (apple)|McIntosh]]. Approximately two medium McIntosh apples produce around 200mL of juice. After the apples are picked, they are washed and transported to the processing facility. The apples are then pressed and juiced right away to avoid [[Food spoilage|spoilage]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Code of Practice for the Production and Distribution of Unpasteurized Apple and Other Fruit Juice/Cider in Canada 5.2 Fruit Storage Practices|url=http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/processed-products/manuals/code-of-practice/eng/1340636187830/1340637184931#a5-2|website=Canadian Food Inspection Agency|accessdate=1 May 2015}}</ref> Depending on the company and end-product, the apples can be processed in different ways before pressing. Apple juice is then filtered, with the quantity of solid particles remaining partly defining the difference between apple juice and [[apple cider]].

==Health effects==
[[Vitamin C]] is sometimes added by fortification, because content is variable,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051023040512/http://www.nafex.org/jansonfiles/JansonJan68.htm Vitamin C in selected varieties]</ref> and much of that is lost in processing. Vitamin C also helps to prevent oxidation of the product.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}} Other vitamin concentrations are low, but apple juice does contain various mineral nutrients, including [[boron]], which may promote healthy bones.<ref>[http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all?content=10.1080/10643380590900200 Parks and Edwards (2005) Boron in the Environment] Retrieved 2008-08-13</ref>

Apple juice has a significant concentration of [[natural phenol]]s of low molecular weight (including [[chlorogenic acid]], [[flavan-3-ol]]s, and [[flavonol]]s) and [[procyanidin]]s. Apple juice has been shown to reduce [[oxidative stress]] on the brains of aging lab mice. Research suggests that apple juice increases [[acetylcholine]] in the brain, possibly resulting in improved [[memory]].

Despite having some health benefits, apple juice is high in sugar. It has 28&nbsp;g carbohydrates (24&nbsp;g sugars) per {{convert|8|oz|g|abbr=in|disp=flip}}. This results in 130 calories per {{convert|8|oz|g|abbr=in|disp=flip}} – protein and fat are not significant. Also like most fruit juice, apple juice contains a similar amount of sugar as the raw fruit, but lacks the fiber content.

==Apple cider==
{{main|Apple cider}}
While ''apple juice'' generally refers to the filtered, pasteurised product of apple pressing, an unfiltered and sometimes unpasteurised version is of the juice commonly known as "apple cider" in the United States and parts of Canada.  Seeking to capitalize on this, some makers of filtered and clarified juice (including carbonated varieties) label and sell their product as "apple cider".  Legal distinctions are not universal, and elusive to apply.<ref>[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_048.html What's the difference between apple juice and apple cider?], ''The Straight Dope''. Retrieved 2008-02-20.</ref>

Elsewhere in the world, particularly in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom, the simple term [[cider]] refers to fermented fruit juice, usually made from apples but also from pears; this alcoholic beverage is known as ''hard cider'' in much of North America.

==Pasteurization==
Because apple juice is acidic (with a pH of 3.4) it can be [[pasteurization|pasteurized]] for less time or at lower temperatures than many other juices. For this purpose, the U.S. [[Food and Drug Administration]] recommends the following thermal processing times and temperatures in order to achieve a 5-log reduction of Cryptosporidium parvum as this parasite is more heat resistant than E.coli 0157:<ref>[http://extension.psu.edu/food/safety/course-follow-up-information/juice-haccp-resources/food-safety-juice-haccp-regulations/FDA%20Recommended%20Pasteurization%20Time.pdf FDA Pasteurization Regulation]</ref>

*{{convert|160|°F|°C}} for at least 6 seconds, 
*{{convert|165|°F|°C}} for at least 2.8 seconds, 
*{{convert|170|°F|°C}} for at least 1.3 seconds, 
*{{convert|175|°F|°C}} for at least 0.6 seconds, 
*{{convert|180|°F|°C}} for at least 0.3 seconds,

==Unpasteurized juice and foodborne illnesses==
From 2000 to 2010 there were over 1700 cases in North America of illnesses related to drinking unpasteurized juice and ciders. The pathogens related to these foodborne illnesses included parasites, bacteria, and viruses. The most common pathogens were [[Escherichia coli O157:H7|E.coli 0157]] and 0111, [[Salmonella]], [[Cryptosporidium]], [[Clostridium botulinum]], and [[Hepatitis A]]. Pathogens can be spread in a number of ways, such as contamination where the fruit is grown, being carried in contaminated containers, or due to poor handling and washing.<ref name=healthlinkbc>[http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/pdf/hfile72.pdf Unpasteurized Fruit Juices and Ciders]</ref>

==Storage==

Fresh apple juice requires refrigeration.  Sealed bottles of [[Canning|canned]] apple juice can be stored in a dark, cool place, such as a pantry or cupboard, to delay the degradation of the product.<ref name="eatbydate.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.eatbydate.com/drinks/fruit-juice-shelf-life-expiration-date/|title=How Long Does Fruit Juice Last? Shelf Life,Storage, Expiration|website=Eat By Date|language=en-US|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref> The appearance, texture, or taste of the juice might change over time.

Once the juice package is opened, or if it was not sealed and shipped without needing refrigeration by the manufacturer, it must be resealed tightly and refrigerated to avoid contamination from microorganisms such as bacteria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stilltasty.com/fooditems/index/16373|title=How Long to Keep / Best Way to Store Apple Juice, Commercially Canned Or Bottled, Sold Unrefrigerated — Unopened|website=www.stilltasty.com|access-date=2016-05-29}}</ref> The ideal storage temperature for apple juice is between 0 and 4&nbsp;°C. Depending on the original package of the apple juice, it could help to transfer the contents to a new container.<ref name="eatbydate.com" /> For example, if the original package was a [[Tetra Pak]], which does not permit contact of the product with light, then it is safe to refrigerate as is. However, if the product was initially in a clear glass container, transferring the apple juice into an opaque container would help extend the shelf life of the juice. This may include a thermos or plastic bottle.

==See also==
{{portal|Drink}}
* [[List of juices]]
* [[Malic acid]]

==References==
{{Commons category|Apple juice}}
<references />{{fruit juice}}
{{Apples}}

[[Category:Apple products]]
[[Category:Fruit juice]]