The Truth About POM Wonderful's Production Process
Many consumers are surprised to learn that POM Wonderful, a brand that prides itself on using high-quality, whole-pressed pomegranates, produces its signature juice from concentrate. The company is transparent about this process on its website, explaining that concentrating the juice allows them to extend the pomegranate season and deliver their product consistently throughout the year. While the term 'from concentrate' can sometimes suggest a lower-quality product with added sweeteners or artificial flavors, POM clarifies that it only adds back the same amount of water it removed during the evaporation process, resulting in a 100% pomegranate juice with no added sugar, fillers, or preservatives.
How Juice from Concentrate is Made
To understand POM's process, it's helpful to first know the difference between juice that is 'from concentrate' and juice that is 'not from concentrate' (NFC).
- Concentrate Process: Juice is extracted from the fruit, and most of its water content is removed through an evaporation process. The resulting concentrated, syrupy liquid is then frozen or stored for transport. This method significantly reduces shipping costs and extends the product's shelf life. At the bottling facility, water is re-added to restore the juice to its original strength before packaging.
- NFC Process: In contrast, NFC juice is simply pressed or squeezed from the fruit and then pasteurized to ensure safety and longevity. It retains all its original water content and natural flavors throughout the process, giving it a fresher, more authentic taste, but also a shorter shelf life and higher transport costs.
The POM Wonderful Advantage
Despite using the concentrate method, POM Wonderful has taken steps to ensure its product remains high-quality. The company grows its own proprietary 'Wonderful' variety pomegranates in Central California and controls the entire process from the farm to the bottle. Their whole-pressing method captures polyphenol antioxidants from the rind, pith, and arils. The juice is also flash pasteurized, a rapid heating and cooling process designed to maintain safety while preserving the antioxidants.
Key Aspects of POM's Juice Production:
- Whole-Pressed Fruit: POM utilizes a proprietary extraction process that presses the entire pomegranate, including the husk, to maximize the extraction of healthy antioxidants.
- No Added Sugar: The sweetness comes entirely from the natural fruit sugars. It contains no cane sugar, corn syrup, or other added sweeteners.
- Flash Pasteurized: This process ensures the product is safe to drink while minimizing the impact on the juice's natural flavor and polyphenol content.
- California Grown: The pomegranates are harvested from their own orchards in the Central Valley of California, allowing for control over quality and consistency.
Juice from Concentrate vs. Not from Concentrate: A Comparison
| Feature | Juice from Concentrate (e.g., POM) | Not from Concentrate (NFC) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Water removed, transported, and re-added. | Pressed, pasteurized, and bottled directly. |
| Shelf Life | Longer due to water removal and aseptic storage. | Shorter due to retaining original water and minimal processing. |
| Cost | Generally more affordable due to cheaper transport and storage. | Typically more expensive due to higher transport costs. |
| Taste | Can be slightly less fresh; relies on proper reconstitution. | Tastes fresher and closer to the original fruit flavor. |
| Additives | Prone to added sugars and flavors in some brands, but not POM. | Typically contains no additives or preservatives. |
| Nutritional Content | Nutrient levels may be slightly lower due to more extensive processing. | Generally higher nutrient retention due to minimal processing. |
The Bottom Line on POM Wonderful
So, while it is true that POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is made from concentrate, the brand's control over the entire supply chain and its minimal processing approach after concentration sets it apart from many other concentrate-based juices. The reconstitution is done carefully, adding back only the water that was removed and no fillers or sugars. The result is a consistent, accessible, and antioxidant-rich product, even if it doesn't carry the 'not from concentrate' label. For those seeking the freshest possible flavor and maximum nutrient retention, NFC might be the preferred choice, but for consistent quality and antioxidant potency from a concentrate, POM has established itself as a leader. You can learn more about the nutritional science behind their product on their official website.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the answer to the question "Is POM Wonderful pomegranate juice from concentrate?" is yes. However, this fact should be viewed in the context of the company's specific production methods. POM uses a proprietary whole-pressing process and reconstitutes the juice without adding sugar or fillers. This allows for year-round availability while maintaining a high level of antioxidant content. While NFC juices may have a slight edge in freshness and nutrient retention due to less processing, POM provides a reliable and consistently high-quality alternative. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities regarding taste, convenience, and nutritional value, but POM offers a strong option within the concentrate category.
