NFC grape juice: a key ingredient for premium foods

“The most natural expression of the grape”

Grape juice has for centuries been synonymous with abundance, purity and celebration. Before fermentation began transforming the must into wine, fresh grape juice was already valued as a noble food, sweet, energetic, and deeply connected to the land and the wonderful rhythm of the seasons. From the very beginning, must has represented the direct way to capture the essence of the grape at its optimal point of ripeness. Today, that millennia old heritage continues and grows stronger, especially in today’s food industry, which seeks authenticity, naturalness and added value to satisfy the premium consumer. Today, NFC grape juice is positioned as an organic, sophisticated, strategic ingredient that preserves the identity of the fresh grape for clean label formulation, for the development of functional foods, for gourmet gastronomy…

• What is NFC grape juice?
• Differences between NFC grape juice and grape juice concentrate
• How is NFC grape juice stored without losing quality?
• Applications of NFC grape juice: development of premium and high value added foods
• JULIAN SOLER… grape and nothing else

What is NFC grape juice?

The NFC grape juice is, in essence, just liquid grape. Its abbreviation means “Not From Concentrate”. This means it is a juice obtained directly from pressing fresh grapes, filtered and sterilized, without undergoing concentration or reduction processes. This is what allows it to preserve all the qualities, nutrients and organoleptic properties of the grape: its natural sugars, its organic acids, its varietal aromas, its micronutrients and polyphenols… 

At JULIAN SOLER we produce and export NFC red grape juice and NFC white grape juice with Brix levels >= 16, from the Bobal and Airén varieties, native to the Castilla La Mancha region, the “largest vineyard in the world”. They are fresh, aromatic juices, with vibrant colors, with the authentic taste of the grape, free of sulfites and pesticides. 

Nutrient profile of NFC grape juice 

NFC grape juice is one of the most faithful ways to bring the grape and all its characteristics into a final food or beverage. Its sugar profile, consisting only of glucose and fructose in a 1:1 ratio, provides natural sweetness, energy and nutrients, while its natural acidity provides freshness, body and stability. Added to this is a rich composition of essential vitamins such as A, B1, B2, C and E, as well as essential minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus.

One area where NFC grape juice unleashes all its potential for innovation is its bioactive components: polyphenols such as anthocyanins, flavonols, phenolic acids and the famous resveratrol. These powerful antioxidants offer interesting and surprising benefits for the wellbeing of the human body, making them very attractive for the development of functional foods. 

If we look at the  sensory field, NFC grape juice preserves the vivid color of the grape, both the deep violet tones of red grapes and the bright golden hue of white varieties. In addition, its aroma is fruity and evocative, with notes that point directly to the vineyard, to grape pulp, to fresh fruit. These are among the most appreciated attributes by premium food product formulators.

At JULIAN SOLER we make sure our NFC grape juices are grape and nothing else. We have a unique production process, framed within strict quality control from our own laboratory. We also produce red, white and high color intensity grape juice concentrate.

Differences between NFC grape juice and grape juice concentrate

Both grape juice concentrate and NFC grape juice originate from the grape itself. Although they involve a different transformation process: 

• Grape juice concentrate is produced by removing 2/3 of the water present in fresh natural grape juice, through vacuum evaporation processes. We carry out this method under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, ensuring that grape juice concentrate retains both the nutrients and the distinctive and attractive sensory profile of fresh juice: color, acidity, aroma, sweetness, astringency, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants… It is a high quality product that makes logistics easier. In addition, it has a longer shelf life than NFC juice, since when its water content is reduced through concentration, microbial growth is also inhibited.
  • It is important not to confuse it with FC juices, which are prepared from the concentrate. Their production process is longer: first, the juice is vacuum evaporated to remove water and obtain the concentrate. Then, water is added and it is bottled. They have a longer shelf life than NFC, but they often include flavorings and various sugars. NFC juices, on the other hand, are freshly pressed juices. 
  • Nor should they be confused with nectars, which are prepared with 25% to 45% fruit concentrate, plus water and, in some cases, added sugars not derived from fruit. 
• NFC juice is not from concentrates. This juice is extracted directly from fresh grapes, then filtered and sterilized. It is a product that is not processed; it follows a more delicate path to preserve the authenticity of the fresh fruit, the quality and the original flavors. The result is an ingredient closer to the sensory experience of freshly pressed fruit.

From the perspective of premium food development, these differences between grape juice concentrate and NFC grape juice are crucial. Grape juice concentrate offers functionality, high quality and stable stock during long storage periods. While  NFC grape juice provides naturalness, identity and a story of origin, making it perfect for premium applications where consumers pay more attention to the essence of the ingredients and to the origin of what they drink or taste, especially in markets where the perception of food quality is decisive. Therefore, NFC grape juice is a differentiating ingredient that elevates the perception of food quality and the positioning of the final product.

How is NFC grape juice stored without losing quality?

Stored at low temperatures, between 0 and 4 °C, NFC juices usually have a shelf life of about one month. However, this period depends largely on factors such as the quality of the grapes used, the technology applied in processing and the characteristics of the packaging system.

At JULIAN SOLER we export NFC grape juice under a controlled, step by step process that guarantees the safety, quality and healthy benefits of our product. 

• We only work with top quality grapes, harvested in Castilla La Mancha. They arrive at our facilities through an alliance with more than 60 local farmers and cooperatives. 
• We analyze and classify every grape we receive to complete traceability from the field for each batch. 
• After extracting the juice from fresh and ripe grapes:
  • We pack NFC juice in various aseptic formats, such as IBC containers and drums, to ensure the preservation of all the grape’s properties. 
  • We can store the drums until shipment in our advanced refrigeration and freezing chambers, with controlled temperatures and atmospheres that help preserve the juice’s color and phenolic compounds. 
  • We can also ship the juice in bulk.

This combination of operations, experience and technology allows us to offer the market fresh, safe, natural NFC grape juice, perfect to satisfy the most demanding palates. 

Applications of NFC grape juice: development of premium and high value added foods

The true potential of NFC grape juice is revealed in the food R&D process. The versatility of this natural juice makes it an ingredient capable of adding functional, emotional and differentiating value. For example: 

• In premium beverages, it acts as a natural base that provides body, balanced sweetness and aromatic complexity. 
• In the world of healthy snacks and clean label confectionery, NFC juice replaces refined syrups and artificial colorants, aligning the product with the expectations of a demanding consumer who seeks the most natural option possible. 
• In gourmet bakery products, NFC juice can improve moisture, extend freshness and add a unique sensory nuance.

• NFC grape juice is also used in the development of baby foods, where purity and traceability are non negotiable.
• In the development of functional foods and nutraceutical products, NFC grape juice is there with its antioxidants, reinforcing health and wellbeing propositions for the premium consumer.

Let’s look at some examples of innovation in the food and beverage industry and in culinary creations, always based on NFC grape juice:

1 Cold pressed juices, with premium ingredients

NFC grape juice is ideal for products made using innovative pasteurization methods, such as cold pressed functional juices and smoothies, without the heat that can affect the juice’s vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.  For example, there are:

• Cold pressed smoothies formulated for intestinal wellbeing and microbiome balance, made with vibrant blends of fruit juice. Such as Preseed juices or Pomona red grape juices.

2 Craft alcoholic beverages

NFC grape juice is a natural ingredient that can be used both as a fermentable base and as a sensory aid in the development of products aimed at markets seeking quality, enjoyment on the palate and a transparent origin. For example:

• Canned cocktails that combine alcoholic beverages with 100% natural fruit juice. Such as the Welch’s line of canned alcoholic beverages, which can blend vodka with grape juice, cranberry juice, passion fruit juice, etc. 

3 Functional health supplements

Due to its rich resveratrol content, NFC grape juice is used in supplements and functional foods that aim to offer antioxidant benefits or cardiovascular support. For example:

• Grape jellies that provide collagen and vitamin C with a fruity, refreshing taste, which can help replace sugary, high calorie snacks. Such as Konjac Jelly green grape jelly.

4 Premium bottled beverages

NFC grape juice is also valued in the bottled or premium canned beverage segment to maximize the perception of naturalness, intensify flavors, deepen character, and find the perfect balance between acidity and the authentic, fresh taste of the grape. For example: 

• Gourmet grape soft drinks.
• Premium root beer based on grape juice. Such as Grape Ale beer made with our grape juice concentrate.

5 Culinary applications

NFC grape juice is used in professional gastronomy as a strategic ingredient in sauces, reductions, glazes, cake fillings, yogurts and various aromatic bases. It provides a unique balance between sweetness and acidity, along with valuable and intense aromatic compounds and vibrant natural colors.

JULIAN SOLER… grape and nothing else

We capture the full essence of the grape to transform it into innovation. Our NFC grape juices preserve the authenticity of the fruit intact and travel to every corner of the planet.
In what part of the world are you innovating? We are your Global Grape Solution Supplier. Contact us. We export to more than 60 countries, reaching all 5 continents, by air, land or sea.