How to Measure the Color of Orange Juice
When choosing a brand of orange juice, consumers have a certain expectation for flavor and demand the “cleanest” juice – free of additives, added sugars, dyes and other ingredients. Many consumers look to color and appearance as the main indicator of superior quality.
Orange juice manufacturers are challenged to formulate recipes using oranges with varying colors, and must achieve a Citrus Number (CN) that passes USDA standards to meet consumer demands.
Challenges
- Consumers judge good quality by color accuracy and consistency
- No additives, sugars, dyes or other ingredients can be used to alter the color or taste of orange juice
- The color of natural ingredients varies, but impacts final color
- The USDA grades juice quality based on accurate color
- Liquid is hard to measure and cannot touch the device
Solution
To produce on-target color, orange juice manufacturers need strict color standards, precise color measurement, and a consistent production process. The USDA has approved the X-Rite Ci7520 and Ci7600 spectrophotometers along with Color iQC software to color grade orange juice samples. This solution is pre-loaded with the USDA’s CN index, enabling manufacturers to quickly and seamlessly measure an orange juice sample, and immediately calculate a CN score for frozen, canned, concentrated, or pasteurized orange juice.
Results
- Quickly obtain a citrus number (CN) for a batch of orange juice
- Earn a quality seal with the USDA’s approved solution for orange juice color measurement
- Keep production moving with the latest color measurement technology and certified field service
How it Works
- An X-Rite sphere benchtop spectrophotometer is fitted with a test tube fixture to hold the liquid sample. Video preview ensures the correct sample measurement area.
- The Ci7600 can measure in reflectance or transmission mode.
- The Ci7520 can measure in reflectance mode.
- The spectrophotometer sends the measurement data to Color iQC software for analysis. Color iQC calculates a Citrus Index Number (CN) for grading the orange juice.
- Using the quantitative values, orange juice manufacturers can prove compliance and earn a USDA seal of approval
Featured Products
Ci7600
A transmission and reflectance benchtop sphere spectrophotometer that offers ≤0.15 dE* inter-instrument agreement and ≤0.03 dE*repeatability and is approved by the USDA to color grade orange juice. It can quantify opaque liquids using a reflectance measurement as well as capture transmission measurements and haze for clear liquids, plastics and films.
Ci7520
A reflectance-only benchtop sphere spectrophotometer that ensures color consistency and accuracy with a 0.15 ΔE* inter-instrument agreement and 0.03 ΔE* repeatability and is approved by the USDA for orange juice color measurement and grading.
Ci7000 Test Tube Holder
This accessory for Ci7000 series spectrophotometers enables manufacturers to capture non-contact measurements on liquid samples without contaminating the sample or the device.
Color iQC
Quality control software to communicate digital color standards and evaluate whether color is on target. It also maintains a complete audit trail to improve communication across the supply chain and prove USDA compliance.
Field Service Certification Program
X-Rite’s field service certification program is an effective and easy way to ensure your benchtop spectrophotometer continues to perform to original specifications and is compliant with ISO:9001 standards.
Achieve Color Success
A digital color measurement solution from X-Rite enables orange juice manufacturers to measure the color of juice throughout production and earn USDA approval for superior quality.
