Mango is one of the most popular fruits that is widely consumed across the world due to its sweet and tangy taste. Mango is not only eaten as a whole but also processed in different ways to create various products like juice, jam, dried fruit and mango pulp. Out of all the processed products, Mango juice is the most common and beloved one. Mango juice is prepared by removing the flesh of the mango, blending it and then filtering the resulting juice to remove any debris or solid particles. This process of converting fresh mango into juice is called ‘industrial processing of mango juice’.
The industrial processing of mango juice is typically done by small-scale industries as well as large-scale industries. Regardless of the scale, the process of making mango juice is quite similar. The industrial processing of mango juice includes the following steps:
- Harvesting and Selection: Mangoes are harvested when they are ripe and have reached their optimal level of maturity. The harvesting process is usually done by hand to avoid any damage to the fruit. The mangoes are then sorted based on their quality, size and ripeness.
- Washing and Peeling: Once the mangoes are sorted, they are washed thoroughly to remove any dirt or contaminants. Then they are peeled either manually or using a machine. The peeled mango fruit is ready to be processed into juice.
- Mango Pulping: Now it’s time to extract the pulp from the fruit. In this step, the mangoes are cut into small pieces and then passed through a pulping machine that separates pulp from the seed and the skin. The resulting puree contains only the juicy and fleshy part of the mango.
- Dilution and Blending: The puree obtained through pulping is then diluted with water in order to obtain a desired consistency of the juice. The diluted puree is then blended with other ingredients such as sugar, citric acid, and preservatives to enhance the flavor and provide a longer shelf life.
- Sterilization and Bottling: After blending, the mango juice is sterilized at high temperatures to increase its shelf life by killing any bacteria or microorganisms present in it. The sterilised juice is then filled into bottles, which are capped firmly and labeled.
- Packaging and Distribution: The final step is packaging and distribution. The bottles are packaged in cardboard boxes and shipped to distributors or to different retailers according to their orders.
- Industrial processing of mango juice is quite a technical process which requires expertise and specialized equipment. But once the juice is prepared, it provides a host of health benefits to the consumers. Mango juice is rich in vitamins A, C, and E which makes it great for skin health. It also contains antioxidants that help protect against diseases like cancer and heart diseases. Moreover, it helps in boosting the immune system and is great for digestion due to its high fiber content.
In conclusion, industrial processing of mango juice involves various steps starting from harvesting and peeling the fruit, extracting pulp, diluting and blending, sterilization and bottling, and finally shipping the finished product. This process helps to make the juice more accessible to consumers and enables them to enjoy the goodness of mangoes even when they are out of season. With the convenience of buying mango juice from the store, we can enjoy the taste, health benefits and nutritional value of mangoes all year round.