The Definitive Answer: Ribena is a Squash
At its core, Ribena's classic product is a blackcurrant squash, or juice concentrate. This means it is a concentrated liquid—made from blackcurrant juice, sugar, water, and other ingredients—that must be mixed with water before consumption. Unlike 100% fruit juice, which is pure juice pressed from fruit, a squash is a cordial-like beverage base.
The confusion arises from the fact that the finished, diluted drink is often referred to as 'blackcurrant juice' in casual conversation. Furthermore, Ribena has expanded its product line to include 'Ready to Drink' juice boxes and bottles, which are pre-diluted juice drinks. This offers a convenient alternative to the classic concentrate, but it doesn't change the classification of the core product.
How Ribena is Made: From Bush to Bottle
Ribena's iconic taste is a result of a careful production process that begins with British-grown blackcurrants, which account for 90% of the UK's crop. The process involves several steps to produce the final concentrated liquid:
- Harvesting: Blackcurrants are grown and harvested, often within a short, 24-hour window to ensure maximum freshness.
- Processing: The berries are mashed and pressed to extract the juice.
- Evaporation: The juice is then treated to evaporate a significant portion of its water content. The blackcurrant aromas lost during this process are captured and later added back to the concentrate.
- Concentrating and Blending: The resulting liquid is a potent concentrate, which is then blended with other ingredients like sugar, citric acid, and vitamin C.
- Bottling: The finished concentrate is bottled, often in recycled plastic, and distributed.
The Role of Concentrate in Soft Drinks
The use of concentrate is a standard industry practice for many soft drinks. It provides several logistical and cost benefits.
- Transportation Efficiency: Concentrates are significantly smaller in volume and lighter than pre-diluted drinks, making them far more cost-effective to transport.
- Shelf Life: Removing water content extends the product's shelf life, allowing for longer storage without spoilage.
- Customization: Concentrates allow consumers to customize the strength of their drink by adjusting the amount of water added. For Ribena, the recommended dilution is typically one part concentrate to four parts water.
Ribena vs. 100% Blackcurrant Juice
To highlight the difference, consider a comparison between classic Ribena squash and pure blackcurrant juice. While both derive their flavour from blackcurrants, their composition and nutritional profile differ significantly.
| Feature | Classic Ribena (Squash) | 100% Blackcurrant Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Product Form | Concentrate (requires dilution) | Ready-to-drink (undiluted) |
| Main Ingredients | Blackcurrant juice from concentrate, water, sugar/sweeteners, vitamin C, preservatives. | Pure blackcurrant juice, possibly fortified with vitamin C. |
| Fruit Content | Lower percentage of actual fruit juice per serving after dilution. | 100% fruit juice, naturally higher in fruit content per serving. |
| Sugar/Sweeteners | Contains added sugar or artificial sweeteners to balance the flavour. | Contains only naturally occurring fruit sugars. |
| Nutritional Profile | Varies depending on dilution; often fortified with vitamin C. | Retains more of the natural vitamins and minerals from the fruit. |
| Usage | Primarily for mixing with water, hot or cold. | Can be drunk straight, or used in recipes. |
The Ready-to-Drink Range
To cater to consumers seeking convenience, Ribena introduced a 'Ready to Drink' range. These products are pre-diluted and can be consumed straight from the bottle or carton. While they use blackcurrant juice from concentrate as a base, they are functionally different from the classic squash. They have a lower fruit juice content per serving than 100% juice and contain added sugars or sweeteners. This is an important distinction, as the ready-to-drink format more closely resembles a standard soft drink than a pure juice.
Conclusion
In summary, while the terms 'squash' and 'juice' are often used colloquially for Ribena, the distinction is clear. The original and classic Ribena product is a concentrated blackcurrant squash, a syrup that must be diluted with water before drinking. The 'Ready to Drink' versions are pre-mixed soft drinks. The confusion stems from brand recognition and product evolution. Understanding that the classic Ribena is a squash highlights the difference between a concentrated beverage and pure fruit juice, and helps explain the variations within the brand's product lineup. Ultimately, the question of 'is Ribena a squash or juice' confirms it's a squash, a beloved British institution that has evolved with its market.
