The main difference between nectar and juice is that juice refers to beverages that are 100% pure juice, whereas nectar refers to beverages that are diluted with water and contain additives in addition to fruit juice.
Nectar and juice are two product names we use to describe fruit juices. However, there is a distinction between the two names, nectar and juice; especially, in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Nectar
– Definition, Ingredients, Features
2. What is Juice
– Definition, Ingredients, Features
3. Similarities Between Nectar and Juice
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Nectar and Juice
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Nectar, Juice, Fruit Drinks
What is Nectar
Fruit nectar is a drink made by mixing fruit juice, puree, or concentrates with water and sometimes sugar, honey, syrup, or other sweeteners. It has not gone through fermentation but can be fermented. Fruit nectar can have added fragrances, flavors, fruit bits, and juice as long as they all come from the same type of fruit. However, the nectar can be made from one kind of fruit or a mixture of different fruits. Moreover, it usually contains between 25% and 50% actual fruit. But, according to the rules in a European Union document called the EU Fruit Juice Directive, up to 20% of the weight of fruit nectar can contain sugar or honey. Moreover, if the nectar is made without added sugar or with less sugar, it can be replaced with artificial sweeteners.
In the beverage industry, the two terms “fruit nectar” and “fruit juice” mean two different things. In the US and UK, “fruit juice” must be 100% pure juice, while “nectar” can have water added and other things like sweeteners and preservatives. But in New Zealand, “juice” is a sweetened drink, and “nectar” means pure fruit.
What is Juice
Juice is a drink we make from fruits and vegetables by squeezing or pressing out their liquid. We commonly consume it as a beverage or use it as an ingredient or flavoring in foods or other beverages like smoothies.
To make juice, we use machines to squeeze or grind fruits and vegetables without heat or special chemicals. For example, orange juice comes from squeezing oranges, and tomato juice comes from squeezing tomatoes. Also, we can easily make them at home using hand or electric juicers. Many store-bought juices have fiber and pulp removed, but some people like orange juice with a lot of pulp.
Similarities Between Nectar and Juice
- Both nectar and juice are types of fruit drinks.
- Besides, they both are non-carbonated drinks.
- In some countries, people use these labels interchangeably.
Difference Between Nectar and Juice
Definition
Nectar is a drink made by mixing fruit juice, puree, or concentrate with water and sometimes sugar, honey, syrup, or other sweeteners, while the juice is a drink made from the juice naturally present in fruits.
Pure vs Diluted
Juice refers to beverages that are 100% pure juice, whereas nectar refers to beverages that are diluted with water and contain additives in addition to fruit juice.
Additives
Juice usually doesn’t contain additives or artificial sweeteners, whereas nectar contains additives or artificial sweeteners.
Conclusion
Nectar and juice are two common terms that refer to fruit juice. Sometimes, people use these words interchangeably, but in some countries, there is a clear difference between nectar and juice. In the US and UK, juice refers to beverages that are 100% pure juice, whereas nectar refers to beverages that are diluted with water and contain additives in addition to fruit juice.
Reference:
1. “Nectar (drink).” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
2. “Foods, Materials, Technologies and Risks.” Encyclopedia of Food Safety. Science Direct.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Juice-orange-fruit-drink-healthy” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “Pomegranate Juice (2019)” By Augustus Binu (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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