# RIP Minute Maid frozen cans **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 4, 2026, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367 "2026-02-04T17:47:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/21 "2026-02-04T20:10:43Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > > [@Atamasama](#): > > > > When you dissolve frozen concentrate into water, it is nearly identical to what you’ll get in a bottle or carton of juice. The concentrate is real juice with water removed from it and then frozen (hence why it’s called “concentrate”), and when you reintroduce water to it you are back to having real juice. > > In fact, many juices you buy at a store are from concentrate, so exactly identical to you doing it yourself. The original oranges were squeezed, the juice concentrated, shipped across the country, and then reconstituted closer to the final retail location. > > The products that do not do this will market them as “not from concentrate”. These days, nearly all ready-to-drink bottled juices I see are labeled “not from concentrate”. But even if they’re made from concentrate, they may be better than what you make at home because they’ll likely mix it with pure filtered water rather than crappy tap water. But my question remains unanswered. Mass-produced bottled orange juice goes through pasteurization and other preservation processes that significantly degrade the flavour compared to the delicious natural taste of fresh-squeezed orange juice. How does Minute Maid concentrate compare with this? Better, worse, or more or less the same? It’s been so many years since I’ve made orange juice from concentrate that I really don’t remember, and my tastes probably weren’t very discriminating back then anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/22 "2026-02-04T20:29:59Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > But even if they’re made from concentrate, they may be better than what you make at home because they’ll likely mix it with pure filtered water rather than crappy tap water. A lot of people don’t drink crappy tap water these days. It’s pretty easy to get access to filtered water, easier than it used to be at least. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/23 "2026-02-04T20:36:15Z")
The thing about Minute Maid and other carton from concentrate OJ is that it’s consistent. It will taste the same every time if they are doing it correctly. If you are used to that specific taste, fresh squeezed probably won’t taste as good most of the time. It’s like a Coke vs Pepsi thing. Fresh OJ (and there is an orange tree in my backyard so I make it myself) varies. Some years it is sweeter than others and that’s just my tree. It’s going to be subjective anyway but to my taste, it’s typically a little better on average. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/24 "2026-02-04T20:42:47Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > If you are used to that specific taste, fresh squeezed probably won’t taste as good most of the time. The fresh-squeezed made at my local supermarket, which I buy from time to time, has always been sweet and delicious. I have no objective way to tell how consistent it’s been, but it’s always way better than the mass-market stuff. To be fair, since they sell it for premium prices, they’re probably careful about selecting the oranges. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/25 "2026-02-04T20:43:21Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > A cultural (driven by marketing?) component in which frozen from-concentrate juice is seen as poor person’s juice. I remember as a kid (80s and 90s) the feeling that orange juice in a carton/bottle was a special, better juice that I might only get at friends’ houses. That’s almost certainly part of it. I don’t know about the pitchers/jugs though - sure, my mother had a pitcher to reconstitute the frozen OJ or lemonade. But she would have had the pitchers anyway for the counterfeit Kool-Aid, iced tea and lemonade she made from powders. Because in the 70s and 80s, you couldn’t buy those in half gallon containers- it was single serve or powder. > [@Pleonast](#): > > In fact, many juices you buy at a store are from concentrate, so exactly identical to you doing it yourself. > [@wolfpup](#): > > t’s been so many years since I’ve made orange juice from concentrate that I really don’t remember, and my tastes probably weren’t very discriminating back then anyway. It’s not always identical. Because individuals are making it. I expect if the person making it follows the directions exactly it will be identical - but if you grew up in my house, you would know that’s a big _if_. Two generations grew up adding water to my mother’s iced tea/lemonade because for some reason she invariably added too much powder. So I’m not sure if the FCOJ really tasted worse than the Tropicana “not from concentrate” or if my mother couldn’t even make that properly. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/26 "2026-02-04T20:45:49Z")
I bet it’s been a decade or more since I’ve had orange juice. Do people still drink it regularly? mmm ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/27 "2026-02-04T20:47:45Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Do people still drink it regularly? Why not? It’s good for you. I admit I don’t drink it every morning, which is one reason I value the long shelf life of the commercial mass-market stuff and it’s not practical for me to buy fresh-squeezed very often. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/28 "2026-02-04T20:49:02Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s good for you. It’s really not. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/29 "2026-02-04T20:51:21Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > It’s really not. The vitamins can be, but there are ways to get those same vitamins without the diabetes from all that sugar so you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/30 "2026-02-04T20:54:08Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > It’s really not. Here’s a balanced article that talks about the health benefits and some potential downsides. As with many things, to key to getting the best benefits is to exercise moderation, and certainly to avoid orange juice with artificially added sugar. ETA: The bottled orange juice I buy is President’s Choice, a premium store brand that’s a bit better than most commercial brands. I just checked the label and it says “Ingredients: Orange juice”. However, it does carry a health label warning about high (natural) sugar. So, as I said, moderation! > **[5 Surprising Health Benefits of Orange Juice](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/orange-juice-benefits)** > > Though orange juice is high in vital nutrients and enjoyed worldwide, some people doubt it contributes to a healthy diet. Here are 5 health benefits of orange juice. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/31 "2026-02-04T20:56:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s pretty easy to get access to filtered water, easier than it used to be at least. I installed an under-sink 3 filter system. Easy to install and great water out of the tap. We have very hard water and this system removes a lot of the minerals (my water kettle can attest to this). > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I bet it’s been a decade or more since I’ve had orange juice. > > Do people still drink it regularly? We haven’t bought juice of any sort for quite a few years. Not a regular part of our diet. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/32 "2026-02-04T21:03:06Z")
Diabetes is not caused by sugar. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/33 "2026-02-04T21:04:47Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > These days, nearly all ready-to-drink bottled juices I see are labeled “not from concentrate”. Likely depends on locality. Checking various brands at WalMart: From concentrate [Tropicana](https://www.walmart.com/ip/3-pack-Tropicana-100-Orange-Juice-64-fl-oz-Fruit-Juice-Texture-Smooth/19377059160?classType=REGULAR) [Minute Maid](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Minute-Maid-Original-Orange-Fruit-Juice-59-fl-oz-Carton/22176379?classType=VARIANT&from=/search) [Florida’s Natural](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Florida-s-Natural-Orange-Juice-With-Pulp-52-oz/502749058?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1600&from=/search) [Ocean Spray](https://www.walmart.com/ip/4-pack-Ocean-Spray-100-Orange-Juice-Shelf-Stable-Juice-Drink-15-2-fl-oz-Bottle/14735921613?classType=REGULAR&from=/search) [Welch’s](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Welch-s-Orange-Juice-16-oz-12-Count/762808385?classType=REGULAR&from=/search) [Nature’s Nectar](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Nature-s-Nectar-Premium-Orange-Juice-Not-From-Concentrate-No-Pulp-52-fl-oz/18513055824?classType=REGULAR&from=/search) Not from concentrate [Tropicana Pure Premium](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Tropicana-100-Orange-Juice-Calcium-Vitamin-D-No-Pulp-89-Fl-Oz/22282246?classType=VARIANT&from=/search) [Simply](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Simply-Orange-Pulp-Free-Orange-Juice-46-fl-oz-Bottle/15361069045?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1200&from=/search) Note the games Tropicana plays with its branding. Special mention to Sunny D for showing up in searches for “orange juice” despite the 98% lack of being juice. Less than 2% juice [Sunny D](https://www.walmart.com/ip/SunnyD-Tangy-Original-Orange-Juice-Drink-1-Gallon-Bottle/10308038?classType=REGULAR&athbdg=L1600&adsRedirect=true) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/34 "2026-02-04T21:06:46Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > It’s good for you. > > It’s really not. I lived a year on Orange juice thought I was doing well But now they tell me orange juice is fattening as **Diet Diet Diet.** -Flanders & Swann ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/35 "2026-02-04T21:17:39Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > But now they tell me orange juice is fattening Along with many beneficial vitamins and minerals, 100% orange juice does contain a fair amount of natural sugars, about half of it sucrose and the rest about an equal mix of fructose and glucose. In and of themselves, all sugars are treated equally by the body as essentially “empty calories”, so yes, drinking a lot of orange juice can be fattening – but you’d need a lot. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/36 "2026-02-04T21:21:09Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I installed an under-sink 3 filter system. Easy to install and great water out of the tap. We have very hard water and this system removes a lot of the minerals (my water kettle can attest to this). I might have done the same thing but bottled spring water is cheap and plentiful around here and I love the taste. I use tap water for coffee and cooking but only spring water for drinking. I’ve had properly filtered tap water and I agree it’s generally pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/37 "2026-02-04T21:25:33Z")
As long as they don’t do away with the lemonade. My wife would not be happy about that and lives would be in danger. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/38 "2026-02-04T21:30:07Z")
> [@AHunter3](#): > > We use the frozen limeade to make frozen margaritas. Hopefully the other brands won’t all follow suit. Me, too. No faster way to make them, and people always seem to like them well enough. I still have a couple cans in the freezer. Probably a “lifetime” supply, since I don’t make frozen margaritas very often anymore! ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/39 "2026-02-04T21:43:43Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > In and of themselves, all sugars are treated equally by the body as essentially “empty calories”, so yes, drinking a lot of orange juice can be fattening – but you’d need a lot. Could it also give you cavities if you’re prone to them? ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367/40 "2026-02-04T21:50:34Z")
I’m sure that drinking too much orange juice can be bad for your teeth, just like too much of anything can be bad for you in some way. Orange juice contains very roughly about the same amount of total sugars per unit volume as a typical non-diet soft drink. But most people will probably drink less orange juice than something like Coke. I probably drink ten times as much Coke Zero as orange juice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rip-minute-maid-frozen-cans/1027367.md?page=3)