Ingredient Information

Function

White grape juice concentrate is a form of white grape juice that has had excess water removed. It may be reconstituted in water, and is often added to wine and other beverages to sweeten them. White grape juice concentrate is derived from white grapes, which are actually green in color. White grapes are berries that grow on a vine, which are then picked and crushed to make juice. White grape juice concentrate is used to make white grape juice, which is an ingredient in jellies, casseroles and baked goods like cookies, cakes and muffins. White grape juice concentrate that has been reconstituted into juice is used in pastries and sweets as an an alternative to sugar. It is added to water and drunk as a beverage by children and adults, and is used as a replacement for wine by individuals who do not want to consume alcohol.

Other Use and Industries

NONE KNOWN

Health Effects

Grapes are one of the fruits on the “dirty dozen” list of produce, fruit which contain the largest amount of chemical pesticide residue. It is essential that only organic grapes be eaten to avoid ingesting these chemicals.

White grape juice contains an antioxidant called Resveratrol, a phytochemical that has been shown to inhibit cancer, heart disease and nerve disease. White grape juice has anti-fungal properties, which help to fight off viral infections. The natural chemical compounds found in white grape juice have been reported to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

White grape juice is relatively low in calories and fat. White grape juice is rich in manganese, copper, iron, Vitamin C and potassium. White grape juice often has added sugar as an ingredient, so check the label to ensure that you are not getting extra sugar in a beverage.

Almost all of the calories in white grape juice come from carbohydrates in the form of sugar. If consumed in significant quantities it will raise blood sugar.

Origins

One quart of white grape juice concentrate makes six quarts or 1.5 gallons of reconstituted white grape juice. A common mixture is one part white grape juice concentrate to five parts water.

White grape juice comes from white grapes, which are small green-colored berries that grow in clusters on a vine. The color of white grapes comes from catechin, a poly-phenolic pigment. Native to European and Mediterranean regions, they are now cultivated all over the world. Some varieties of white grapes contain seeds and are used for winemaking. The seedless varieties, most typically Niagra grapes in North America, are crushed to make white grape juice. In California, Sultana or Thompson grapes are also used to make white grape juice. These grapes are diverted from the raisin making industry.

White grapes undergo a process to concentrate the juice after crushing. None of the flavor is removed. Concentrate is available in cans and is mainly sold to winemakers. Other varieties of white grapes are sugarone and calmeria.