Question

Which one of the following beverage is not diluted before serving?

• A. Squash
• B. Syrup
• C. Crush
• D. Nectar

Hint:

Identify Ready-to-Serve (RTS) beverages versus concentrated products.
Nectars and RTS juices have a lower sugar concentration ($15^\circ\text{Brix}$) compared to squashes and syrups ($>40^\circ\text{Brix}$), allowing them to be consumed straight from the package.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fruit-based beverages are commercially categorized based on their fruit juice content, total soluble solids (TSS, measured in $^\circ\text{Brix}$), and acidity.
These parameters determine whether a beverage is sold as a concentrate or as a ready-to-serve (RTS) product.
Key Principle:
Concentrated beverages require dilution with water or carboted water before consumption, whereas ready-to-serve (RTS) products are formulated to be consumed directly.

Step 2: Detailed Explation:
1. Squash: A concentrated beverage containing at least 25% fruit juice and 40-50% TSS. It is diluted in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio with water before serving.
2. Syrup: Highly concentrated sugar solutions containing fruit juice, with a TSS of 65% or more. It is heavily diluted before consumption.
3. Crush: Similar to squash but contains a higher fruit juice/pulp content (at least 25%) and TSS (55%). It also requires dilution before consumption.
4. Nectar: A ready-to-serve, non-fermented fruit beverage containing fruit pulp (typically 20% or more, depending on the fruit), a TSS of approximately 15%, and acidity of around 0.3%.
Because its sweetness, acidity, and pulp concentrations are already adjusted to optimal levels for direct consumption, Nectar is consumed directly without any dilution.

Step 3: Fil Answer
Nectar is the correct option because it is classified as a ready-to-serve beverage and does not require dilution before consumption.