How Orange Juice Is Made in Factories | How It's Made

Summary

This video script narrates the journey of orange juice from the groves to the glass. It highlights the hand-picking process of Hamlin oranges, known for their productivity and cold resilience. The oranges are carefully inspected for quality before being cleaned and juiced using a specialized extractor that removes seeds and membranes. The fresh-squeezed juice is then bottled without pasteurization, preserving its authentic flavor and color, and is best served chilled due to its short shelf life.

Takeaways

• 🍊 The idea of making orange juice by squeezing oranges is not attributed to a specific person.
• 📈 Orange juice's popularity surged in the mid-20th century due to advancements in shelf-life extension techniques.
• 🥤 Many individuals prefer starting their day with a glass of orange juice, appreciating its fresh-squeezed, additive-free nature.
• 🍃 Fresh-squeezed orange juice is valued for its vitamin C content and authentic flavor.
• 🌳 Orange juice production begins in groves where trees take several months to bear fruit, typically harvested in early November.
• 👨‍🌾 Orange picking is a manual process to prevent damage to the trees and fruit; automated systems are not used.
• 🧳 Pickers use lightweight yet heavy-duty vinyl composite bags for collecting oranges.
• 🍋 Hamlin oranges, known for being small, juicy, and cold-resistant, are one of the varieties used for juicing.
• 🔍 Oranges are picked before they fully turn orange; green on the outside but sweet inside indicates maturity and flavor.
• 🚫 Damaged oranges with tears or punctures are inspected and culled to prevent internal degradation affecting juice quality.
• 🛁 The oranges are cleaned in a processing facility using a soapy water spray and nylon brushes before being rinsed and dried.

Q & A

When did the popularity of orange juice increase dramatically?

The popularity of orange juice increased dramatically in the middle of the 20th century.

What is the appeal of fresh-squeezed orange juice?

Fresh-squeezed orange juice is appealing because it contains vitamin C and has an authentic flavor without any preservatives or additives.

How are oranges harvested in the groves?

Oranges are harvested in groves by hand, as automated picking systems could damage both the trees and the fruit.

What type of bag do the pickers use to collect oranges?

The pickers use a bag made of vinyl composite, which is lightweight and heavy-duty.

What is the name of the orange variety mentioned in the script?

The Hamlin orange is the variety mentioned in the script.

Why are Hamlin oranges picked before they turn orange?

Hamlin oranges may be picked before they turn orange because they can still be sweet on the inside, even if they are green on the outside.

What is the purpose of the sloped chute in the processing facility?

The sloped chute in the processing facility prevents damage to the oranges as they tumble into a wash station.

How are the oranges cleaned at the processing facility?

The oranges are cleaned using a sprayer that rains soapy water onto them while spiraling nylon brushes scrub and clean them, followed by a rinse with another sprayer.

What is the final inspection for before the oranges are juiced?

The final inspection checks for cleanliness and general condition of the oranges, ensuring there are no contaminants that could spoil the product or the juicing machinery.

How does the extractor process the oranges for juicing?

The extractor punctures the fruit, peels away the skin with metal teeth, and squeezes out the juice while filtering out the seeds and the membrane between the flesh and the skin.

Why isn't the fresh-squeezed orange juice pasteurized?

The fresh-squeezed orange juice isn't pasteurized to maintain its unaltered flavor and color; instead, it is chilled immediately to preserve it for a few days.