Is Tart Cherry Juice Better from Concentrate or Not?

December 10, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, the potent nutrients in tart cherry juice, including anthocyanins and melatonin, remain intact during the concentration process. The question for many health-conscious consumers is whether a 'not from concentrate' version offers any advantages over its condensed counterpart, or if they are largely the same.

Quick Summary

This article explores the key differences between tart cherry juice concentrate and not from concentrate, comparing processing methods, nutritional profiles, cost-effectiveness, and overall convenience to determine the best choice for you.

Key Points

Nutritional Value: High-quality tart cherry juice concentrate and not from concentrate (NFC) offer similar levels of health-boosting anthocyanins and melatonin.
Processing and Potency: The evaporation step in making concentrate removes water, not essential nutrients, often creating a more potent product per ounce before dilution.
Additives and Sugar: When buying either type, it is crucial to check for 100% juice and no added sugars, as some brands add sweeteners to mask the tartness.
Cost-Effectiveness: Concentrate is generally more economical on a per-serving basis since a small bottle makes a much larger volume when reconstituted.
Convenience vs. Customization: NFC offers grab-and-go convenience, while concentrate allows for customizing the flavor intensity and sweetness level by controlling the dilution.
Taste Preference: NFC may offer a fresher, milder taste, while concentrate, when mixed, has a more robust, intense cherry flavor profile.

Understanding the Process: From Tree to Bottle

To understand if tart cherry juice is better from concentrate or not, it helps to know how each version is made. The difference lies primarily in one key step: the removal of water.

How Concentrate is Made

Harvesting: High-quality Montmorency tart cherries are harvested at their peak ripeness.
Pressing: The cherries are pressed to extract their juice.
Evaporation: The raw juice is gently heated to evaporate excess water, resulting in a thick, dense liquid. This concentrate is then frozen for transport and storage, saving on costs and space.
Bottling and Reconstitution: When bottled for sale, it is either left as a concentrate or has water added back to it, sometimes with other additives.

How Not from Concentrate (NFC) is Made

Pressing and Pasteurization: Fresh cherries are pressed, and the juice is immediately pasteurized without the removal of water.
Minimal Processing: This method retains the juice in its natural state, which many believe contributes to a fresher taste.
Bottling: The liquid is then bottled and sold as a ready-to-drink product. Sometimes, it is bottled from a juice made from fresh, but pre-frozen fruit.

Concentrate vs. NFC: Nutritional Impact and Key Differences

One of the most common concerns is whether the heat used to create concentrate damages its nutritional content. Scientific evidence, however, suggests the potent health compounds remain stable.

The Nutritional Showdown

Studies show that anthocyanins, antioxidants, and even the naturally occurring melatonin in tart cherry juice concentrate are preserved effectively during processing. In fact, some research suggests that on a per-serving basis, the juice concentrate can be more potent due to the higher density of active compounds before dilution. The key is to choose a pure, 100% tart cherry concentrate without any added sugars or fillers. For NFC juice, minimal processing also preserves nutrients effectively, and it may contain trace amounts of pulp or sediment depending on the filtration process.

The Flavor and Additive Factor

Flavor can be a matter of preference. Some argue that NFC juice has a fresher, brighter flavor profile, while concentrate offers a more intense cherry taste. The biggest variable is added sugar. Many mass-produced, ready-to-drink options add sugar to balance the naturally tart flavor, negating some anti-inflammatory benefits. When using concentrate, you have full control over the dilution and can add water to your desired taste without extra sugar. Always check the label to ensure you are buying a 100% pure product, whether from concentrate or not.

A Side-by-Side Comparison


Feature	Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate	Not from Concentrate (NFC)
Processing	Water is removed by gentle heat evaporation, then water is added back later or by the consumer.	Juice is pressed, flash-pasteurized, and bottled without water removal.
Potency	Higher concentration of antioxidants and melatonin per serving before dilution.	Often slightly lower concentration, but still nutritionally beneficial.
Taste Profile	More intense, robust flavor; can be adjusted with dilution.	Fresher, milder flavor, closer to a straight-from-the-fruit taste.
Convenience	Compact size is easy to store and transport, requiring dilution before consumption.	Ready-to-drink, no mixing required. Bulky to store and carry.
Shelf Life	Excellent long-term shelf stability due to concentrated form.	Shorter shelf life once opened compared to a sealed bottle of concentrate.
Cost	More economical on a per-serving basis, as one small bottle makes a large volume.	Generally higher cost per serving due to added weight and volume of water.
Customization	Allows for customizable sweetness and strength by adjusting the water ratio.	No customization; comes with a pre-set flavor profile.

Which is the best choice for you?

The answer ultimately depends on your priorities. For athletes, both forms offer similar benefits for muscle recovery, but capsules or concentrate may be better for those needing to watch sugar intake or for convenience on the road. The health benefits of tart cherries—reducing inflammation, aiding sleep, and promoting exercise recovery—are available in both versions, provided you choose a 100% pure product with no added sugar. For those focused on frugality and customization, concentrate is the clear winner. For the consumer who values grab-and-go simplicity and prefers a flavor that more closely resembles fresh fruit, NFC is the way to go. The important thing is to choose a high-quality product, regardless of whether it was made from concentrate or not.

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

When evaluating if tart cherry juice is better from concentrate or not, the critical factor is the label, not the process. A high-quality concentrate is nutritionally comparable, if not more potent, than a ready-to-drink, not-from-concentrate juice. For most people, the decision comes down to preference for flavor intensity, cost, and convenience. As long as you avoid added sugars and additives, you can confidently enjoy the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of tart cherry juice in whichever form you prefer. Both offer a healthy, natural way to supplement your diet with the powerful compounds found in Montmorency cherries.

Tart cherry juice benefits: Do they live up to the hype?

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, high-quality tart cherry juice concentrate is just as effective as the regular juice. The evaporation process removes water, not the beneficial compounds like antioxidants and melatonin, ensuring the nutritional value remains high.

Concentrate is significantly more cost-effective. One small bottle of concentrate can yield a full gallon or more of juice, making the cost per serving much lower than purchasing multiple ready-to-drink cartons.

The amount of sugar depends on the product, not the concentration method. Many ready-to-drink juices have added sugars. When you use a pure concentrate, you control the dilution and can avoid added sugars entirely.

No, the flash pasteurization and gentle heat used in the concentration process are specifically designed to kill harmful microbes without destroying the valuable nutrients. Studies confirm that antioxidants and other compounds remain stable.

Yes, you can use tart cherry concentrate in recipes. For applications requiring juice, simply mix the concentrate with water according to the package directions. Some recipes may call for the thicker concentrate specifically for a more robust cherry flavor.

Some people report that not-from-concentrate juice has a fresher, milder taste, while concentrate offers a more intense flavor. However, for most palates, especially after dilution, the difference is negligible, provided both are high-quality, pure juices.

Choose concentrate if you want more control over the flavor and strength, prefer a cost-effective option, and have less storage space. Opt for not-from-concentrate if you prefer maximum convenience and don't mind the higher price point for a ready-to-pour beverage.