What's the first thing people think of when they hear the word juice? Aw.
Juice is a type of drink that is often considered refreshing. In fact, some people would argue that it is liquid sunshine in a bottle or glass. But what did juice start out as?
The term "juice" was originally used as a reference to any liquid extract from food sources like vegetables, fruits, and grains. This can also be referred to as a "puree". For example, if an orange is juiced, then it is just the watery part of the orange squeezed out. These juices had little nutritional value and were usually used as a way to preserve food.\
The word juice comes from the Old French word " jus", which means "the thing that has been squeezed out". Somewhere along the line, this definition changed. People began using "juice" to refer to a beverage made from fresh fruit or vegetables. The definition that we know today was added in a dictionary called the Oxford English Dictionary. It was first used in 1914 and defined juice as "the liquid part of something, especially fruit or vegetables, that can be squeezed out."
So how did the idea for juice come about? Well, scientists in ancient times had a difficult time explaining how food could become liquid. They thought that squeezing food would break it apart into tiny pieces and those pieces would then somehow unite with air to form a juice. But we now know this isn't the case. Squeezing an orange won't make the juice come out. But it was a good guess for 2,000 years ago!
Juice did not become popular in the United States until after World War II. The war had led to a scarcity of fruits and vegetables in the US. This made people want to drink fruit juice for its health benefits instead of eating them. With the introduction of new types of juices like grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and orange juice, people began drinking it on a regular basis. The juice industry thrived on this trend and today the juice industry is the largest non-sugar beverage in the United States.
Today "fruit juice" is a stronger word than "juice" because it means more than just fruit and water. Juice can be made from anything that has liquid in it, such as beer or milk. There are various types of juices including:
Fruit/Vegetable Juice – This is the most common type of juice. It contains fruit or vegetables and the main ingredient is water. It is mostly used for making smoothies and juices.
Unsweetened Juice – This type of juice has no added sugar. It is mainly used to add a punch of flavor to a food that doesn't have much flavor. It's also used as a mixer for drinks like lemonade.
Post-pasteurized Juice – This type of juice can be made from anything that contains liquid in it, but the juice must be pasteurized to ensure safety. This kind of juice is used by restaurants to add a little sweetness to their food.
Infusion – The main ingredient of this type of juice is non-liquid and the juice is made by steeping it in hot water. It is used as a beverage or a food ingredient (like a sauce).
Vinasse – This type of juice is mainly made from wine, beer, and fruit pulp that has been left over from winemaking.
Juice comes in many different colors, flavors, and consistencies. It is a popular drink because it can be made from so many different ingredients and flavors. There are even health benefits to drinking juice. Studies have shown that fruit juices may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and help in the treatment of diarrhea. Although there are certain risks that come with drinking juice because it is not as safe as water, most people consider juice to be a healthy drink choice.
What do you think?
Do you think juice is a nutritious drink? Why or why not?
How do people use juice to make their food more flavorful?
Have you ever witnessed someone making juice in a restaurant before? Do you think it seems like hard work or is it easy? Explain why.
If there are health benefits to drinking juice, do you think the benefits outweigh the risks for children who drink juice regularly? Why or why not?
Juice seems to have a lot of benefits. Do you think juice should be considered a healthy beverage?
Juice is a very important part of our diets. It can be healthy, but it can also be dangerous if unfermented or unpasteurized juice is consumed. Tell us what you think in the comments section below! What's your favorite type of juice?
Juice as a drink first appeared in ancient China and India as a food that was squeezed from fruit and later sold as drink in small shops.
The first commercial application of the principle of juicing is considered to be that of Francesco Redi, who left juice and water in a basket with meat. When he returned, he found that the juice had fermented and turned into alcohol, but the meat was preserved.
Historical documents reveal that Spanish sailors were harvesting fruit juice from Caribbean islands and transporting it home to Europe as early as 1514.
Juice has been around since ancient times, but it seems to be more popular today than ever before. Have you tried any types of juice? If so, what was your favorite flavor?
Juice Facts:
The earliest recorded reference to "juice" comes from the Romans which was in the first century B.C. The first known reference to juice being a liquid consisted of fruit. It was called "pomace." The term "juice" entered the English language in 1914 and it is believed that is because of its use for preserving fruit. This original definition for juice says that it is "the liquid part of something, especially fruit or vegetables, that can be squeezed out".
Read more: Some fruits good for juicing