A method and system for enhancing the flavor of a fruit juice and a fruit juice made according to these methods. Additionally, the methods may be used to produce a shelf-stable fruit juice that is capable of being stored in non-refrigerated conditions for extended periods of time without the development of off-flavors. The methods comprise passing the fruit juice through an adsorbent resin which substantially reduces the off-flavor compounds and/or the precursors of off-flavors thereby making a juice which tastes better immediately. Additionally, since substantial amount of the precursors are removed, the off-flavors will not develop, thereby allowing the juice to be stored under non-refrigerated conditions for one or more months without significant degradation of the flavor of the juice.

Preservative compositions using toxicologically acceptable ingredients, and employing a pH of 9.0 or above for at least part of the process, for reducing the initial population and controlling the growth of spoilage bacteria and human pathogens and for preventing unwanted color changes in fresh and processed produce, particularly mushrooms. Aqueous solutions of preservatives are prepared and applied in multiple stages to the mushrooms, by spraying or immersion. More specifically, disclosed is a method for preserving fresh and processed mushrooms, comprising the steps of: contacting the mushrooms with an antimicrobial solution having a pH of about 9.0 or above; and rinsing the mushrooms one or more times immediately after the contacting step with pH-neutralizing solutions having a pH sufficient to return the produce to its physiological pH. In a preferred embodiment, electrolyzed basic water is used in the first stage high-pH rinse step and electrolyzed acid water is used in the second stage neutralizing solution step. Tyrosinase inhibitors such as ascorbates, erythorbates, EDTA or calcium chloride are added to the neutralizing solutions to inhibit enzymatic browning.

The invention pertains to the formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base, which is an apple mash-polysaccharide mixture to which fruit puree(s) and optionally concentrated fruit juice(s) are to be added to form beverage concentrates. The beverage concentrates are to be diluted with water and/or fruit juice(s) to create supreme, distinctive, refreshing, healthy, creamy, smooth, thick, non-gummy and non-settling fruit beverages (smoothies). The resulting beverages possess hydrated cellular particulates, which are stabilized by modified starch and xanthan gum and thus sedimentation of particulates does not occur during the storage of the resulting beverages. Homogenization is not required for particulate stabilization. Pasteurization and sterilization of the resulting beverages can be carried out without the loss of textural and flavour quality attributes and without particulate destabilization and sedimentation. A wide variety of ingredients such as protein foods, coffee, tea, cocoa, nutrients, natural and artificial flavours, sweeteners and botanicals may be added for flavour, nutritional and health appeal.