Fruit concentrate is a food product made by processing fruit into a thick concentrate, which is usually diluted with water before use. WeNatur's Fruit Concentrates collection includes Zühre Ana and WeNatur concentrates of black mulberry, blueberry, cranberry, sour cherry, peach, black apricot and forest fruits, as well as Ottoman sherbet, hibiscus and flower blend concentrates. In this guide you will find out what to look for on the label when choosing the right fruit concentrate, how to use the products in the kitchen and how to store them after opening.
What is fruit concentrate?
Fruit concentrate is the concentrated form of a fruit's juice and aroma. Thanks to its concentrated nature, even a small amount gives a distinct flavour; that is why it is usually diluted with still or sparkling water to make a drink, or used on yoghurt, muesli and desserts. In Turkish cuisine these products are a traditional way of preserving fruit for winter and preparing sherbet, and today they still often appear on the breakfast table and in summer drinks.
These products can be made from a single fruit or be a blend of several fruits or plants. You can always see which ingredients are used in the ingredient list on the label.
Fruit concentrate varieties at WeNatur
Single-fruit concentrates
- Zühre Ana Black Mulberry Concentrate 670 g: Ingredients: 100% black mulberry. With its dark colour and distinctive consistency it goes well with yoghurt, muesli, cake and ice cream. For regular users there is also the 5-Pack Family Value Bundle (5 x 670 g).
- Zühre Ana Blueberry Fruit Concentrate 700 g: no added sugar and no thickeners; suitable for smoothies, yoghurt and breakfast recipes.
- WeNatur Cranberry Concentrate 700 g: no added sugar, additives or thickeners; contains only the natural sugar from the fruit.
- Zühre Ana Sour Cherry Concentrate: made from 100% sour cherry concentrate, with a distinctive sour flavour profile. It is stated to be produced in a facility with ISO 22000:2018 and Halal food certificates.
- Zühre Ana Peach Concentrate and Zühre Ana Blueberry Concentrate: made from 100% peach and 100% blueberry concentrate respectively, with no additives.
- Zühre Ana Black Apricot Concentrate 340 g: made from sun-dried black apricots without added additives or preservatives; it can be used as a natural sweetener at breakfast and in desserts.
Blended concentrates
- Zühre Ana Forest Fruits Concentrate 640 g: contains blackberry, blueberry, wild strawberry, raspberry, pomegranate and hibiscus.
- Zühre Ana Tropical Fruit Concentrate 640 g: contains passion fruit, mango, Bodrum mandarin, pineapple and lime; no additives or preservatives.
- WeNatur Hibiscus Concentrate with Forest Fruits 670 g: a blend of hibiscus and forest fruits; no added sugar, additives or thickeners.
- WeNatur Flower Blend Concentrate 670 g: contains elderflower, lavender, chamomile, jasmine and date extract; its sweetness comes only from the dates.
- WeNatur Ottoman Sherbet Concentrate 670 g: prepared with aromatic ingredients such as jujube, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and rose; no additives or artificial flavourings.
What should you look for on the label when choosing a fruit concentrate?
The back of the pack gives you most of the information you need about the product. We recommend paying attention to the following points:
- Ingredient list: A single-fruit product lists only that fruit, for example "100% black mulberry". In blends, all fruits and plants are listed in order.
- Added sugar: The phrase "no added sugar" shows that the sweetness comes only from the fruit.
- Additives and thickeners: Many product descriptions state that they contain no additives, preservatives or thickeners.
- Dilution ratio: A ratio of 1+5 is recommended for Zühre Ana Sour Cherry, Peach and Blueberry Concentrate, and 1:4 for WeNatur Flower Blend Concentrate.
- Net quantity: Varieties range from 340 g to 700 g; the black mulberry concentrate is also available as a 5-pack.
- Storage information: Products that need to be kept in the fridge after opening are marked on the label.
Comparing the label information lets you see the differences even between two products made from the same fruit. For blueberry, for example, the collection offers both the 700 g extract and Zühre Ana Blueberry Concentrate, which is diluted at a ratio of 1+5; which one you choose depends on whether you will use the product mainly as a drink or in yoghurt and desserts.
Kitchen ideas with fruit concentrate
Fruit concentrates are a practical source of flavour for drinks as well as desserts and breakfast. A few suggestions:
- Refreshing drink: Mix one part concentrate with five parts cold still or sparkling water and add ice and mint leaves. You can adjust the ratio to your taste.
- Breakfast: Drizzle black mulberry or black apricot concentrate over yoghurt or muesli.
- Smoothie: Blend a spoonful of blueberry or forest fruits concentrate with banana and yoghurt.
- Desserts: Use it as a sauce on ice cream, pudding or cake; the tropical blend also suits fruit salads.
- Sherbet table: Dilute the Ottoman sherbet concentrate with cold water to prepare a traditional treat for your guests.
- Salad dressing: Mix a few drops of sour cherry or cranberry concentrate with olive oil and lemon for a sweet-and-sour dressing.
- Warm drink: The black mulberry concentrate is stated to work in both hot and cold recipes; try it with lukewarm water on winter evenings.
How should fruit concentrate be stored?
Keep closed packs in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. After opening, follow the instructions on the label: for Zühre Ana Sour Cherry, Peach and Blueberry Concentrate, it is recommended to keep them in the fridge after opening and to consume them within 10 days. If you choose larger packs such as the 5-pack, it is practical to open the jars one at a time as needed. Using a clean, dry spoon each time and closing the lid tightly helps the product keep its aroma.
Frequently asked questions: fruit concentrate
What is the difference between fruit concentrate and fruit juice?
Fruit concentrate is a thick concentrate and is usually diluted before use. Fruit juice, on the other hand, is sold ready to drink.
Are fruit concentrate and pekmez the same thing?
Both are concentrated products made from fruit, but they are used differently. Pekmez is mostly spread on bread or eaten with tahini. You can find pekmez varieties in our Pekmez collection.
Where are fruit concentrate orders shipped from?
Orders are shipped from our warehouse in Germany with DHL or DPD; shipping within Germany is free for orders of 100 € or more. For details, please see our shipping policy.
I have a question about a product's ingredients. Who can I ask?
You can write to us via our contact page; every product page also shows the ingredient list and allergen information.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a refreshing drink or a fruity touch for breakfast, a fruit concentrate can be used in your kitchen in many ways. You will find every variety in our Fruit Concentrates collection, and for vinegar, pekmez and other products you can visit the parent category Traditional Food Products.
Source: Wikipedia – Juice concentrate
