Core ingredients in Rubicon mango drinks
Rubicon offers both a classic still and a sparkling mango drink, with key differences in their ingredients and base liquid. The classic version primarily uses water and a higher concentration of mango puree, while the sparkling drink features carbonated water and a lower percentage of mango content.
Classic vs. Sparkling: A closer look
The classic still mango juice typically includes water, mango puree (often Alphonso), sugar, citric acid (as a flavor enhancer and preservative), stabilizers like guar gum and xanthan gum to maintain texture, natural identical mango flavour, and added Vitamin C.
In contrast, the sparkling mango juice contains carbonated water, a smaller amount of mango puree, sugar (or artificial sweeteners in 'Zero' versions), malic acid for tartness, stabilizers such as gellan gum and pectin, flavorings, beta carotene for color, and often a preservative like sodium benzoate.
Comparison of Rubicon Mango variants
A table highlighting the differences helps clarify the ingredient variations:
| Ingredient Category | Classic Still Mango Juice | Sparkling Mango Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Water | Carbonated Water |
| Mango Content | Higher (e.g., 25%) | Lower (e.g., 5-8%) |
| Sweetness Source | Sugar | Sugar and/or Sucralose (in 'Zero' versions) |
| Stabilizers | Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum | Gellan Gum and Pectin |
| Acidity Regulator | Citric Acid (E330) | Malic Acid (E296) |
| Preservatives | None explicitly listed in some variants | Sodium Benzoate |
| Colour | Natural hue from puree | Beta Carotene |
| Vitamins | Added Vitamin C | Some variants may add vitamins |
The function of common additives
Additives in Rubicon drinks serve various purposes. Citric acid balances sweetness in the classic juice. Stabilizers like gums and pectin improve texture and prevent separation. Beta carotene provides color to the sparkling drink, while Sucralose is an artificial sweetener in 'Zero' versions. Sodium benzoate is used as a preservative in sparkling drinks.
What about Rubicon Spring? Is that different?
Rubicon Spring, such as the Mango Passion flavor, is distinct from the juice drinks. It is a flavored water made with spring water, a small percentage of fruit juice from concentrate, natural flavourings, sweeteners, and B vitamins, offering a low-calorie alternative.
Conclusion: Understanding your Rubicon choice
Rubicon mango drinks offer a taste of the tropics, but ingredient lists vary significantly between the classic juice, sparkling versions, and Rubicon Spring. The classic provides a more intense mango flavor with higher puree content, while sparkling and Spring options cater to preferences for fizz, sweetness levels, and lower calories. Checking the specific product label is always recommended for precise ingredient information.
Common Rubicon Mango Ingredient Lists
- Classic Mango Juice: Water, Mango Puree (often 25%), Sugar, Citric Acid, Stabilizers (Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum), Natural Identical Mango Flavour, Vitamin C.
- Sparkling Mango Juice: Carbonated Water, Mango Puree (e.g., 5%), Sugar, Malic Acid, Stabilizers (Gellan Gum, Pectin), Flavourings, Beta Carotene, Sucralose (in 'Zero' versions), Sodium Benzoate.
- Rubicon Spring Mango Passion: Spring Water, Fruit Juice from Concentrate (1%), Natural Flavourings, Acidity Regulator, Sweeteners, Preservatives, Stabilizers, Added B Vitamins.
Key takeaways
- Product-specific ingredients: The ingredients list for Rubicon mango differs between its classic (still) juice and its sparkling soda variants.
- Mango puree vs. flavouring: While all Rubicon mango drinks contain real mango puree, the percentage varies significantly, from a high concentration in the classic juice to a lower percentage in the sparkling and Spring drinks.
- Sweeteners and sugar: The classic juice is sweetened with sugar, whereas sparkling versions may contain both sugar and the artificial sweetener sucralose, particularly in 'Zero' sugar options.
- Additives for stability and color: Stabilizers like gums and pectin are used to ensure a consistent texture, while colorings such as beta carotene give the drink its appealing golden hue.
- The 'Spring' difference: Rubicon Spring is a distinct product line of flavored water, not juice, and is characterized by low calories, no added sugar, and a different ingredient profile.
