Florida's Best Orange Juice: The Top 5

One of my favorite fruit juices is none other than Florida orange juice. My grandparents owned an orange grove. During the season we would pick bushels of oranges for ourselves and to give to friends. There's nothing like having your own freshly squeezed orange juice that's homegrown. Nowadays store bought orange juice has evolved by leaps and bounds since my childhood. Some orange juice is better than other brands. Some are still as awful as ever.

Nearly 80% of the orange juice available in the U.S. is from Florida orange groves. With so many brands of orange juice to decide over at your supermarket which ones are the best? Now you can try five of Florida's very best orange juice with some being available nationally. If you live in Florida they'll likely all be available statewide or in the local area. No more cutting up oranges and using the squeezer for that ultimate fresh taste. You can now get it in a carton or from the jug.

1. Florida's Natural Premium Home Squeezed Orange Juice

Most of the oranges grown in Florida are in the central part of the state. Lake Wales is the location for this brand of orange juice. There is a commercial on TV where someone is at the grocery store ready to grab a carton of orange juice. The picker in the grove has to hurry up and get the carton into her hand. What the commercial is trying to convey is that buying this brand of orange juice is just like picking it off the tree and someone freshly squeezed it for you. This classic orange juice with a fresh-squeezed taste features some pulp or bits of orange fruit. It's not from concentrate and is a product of USA. You can find Florida's Natural brand in a store near you nationally.

2. Publix Premium Original Style Orange Juice No Pulp

Publix, where shopping is a pleasure, is a grocery store chain based in Lakeland, Florida in the heart of orange grove country. Recently I asked my mother to pick me up some orange juice at Publix. Oftentimes I enjoy buying their generic brands, because it tastes just like the big names. It's the cost that makes all the difference. When I tried this generic brand of orange juice from Publix I was absolutely amazed. It virtually tasted like freshly squeezed orange juice, but at half the cost from most brands. It has a smooth texture, no bitterness and the after taste is the same one gets when you squeeze it yourself. The only downside Publix is only located in the southeast and in some mid-south states. It isn't a nationwide chain unfortunately.

3. Natalie's Orchard Island Juice Company Orange Juice All Natural Fresh Squeezed

Here's an orange juice company that has won many awards and accolades. It was also featured on NBC's Today Show. In June 2010 it won the National Orange Juice Taste Test by Good Housekeeping magazine. Based in Ft. Pierce they feature other juices besides orange. During their taste test for Good Housekeeping Orchid Island trounced the competition. Consumers stated it "tastes like a real orange." When they say it is freshly squeezed, it is. There is the right amount of pulp, plus it is 100% Florida orange juice.

4. Noble Organic Orange Juice

If you are looking for organic orange juice this is the one for you. Initially this company was started 83 years ago in Winter Haven by packaging and selling citrus fruit to customers up north. Later they became known as the "Tangerine King." It wasn't until 2004 their organic juice line was introduced. The orange juice comes from hand-picked, tree-ripened oranges that are 100% organic. Noble Organic Orange Juice has a smooth body and floral finish to it.

5. Tropicana Pure Premium No Pulp

Tropicana's juice production still remains in Bradenton. During the times when the orange juice is being pasteurized at their manufacturing plant you can smell the orange scent throughout parts of the city. It's quite powerful, but intoxicating. The Tropicana orange juice products are available globally. They are one of the largest producers of orange juice in the world. However, their Premium No Pulp has the right amount of sweetness and tastes just right. Personally speaking, I find this brand too acidic with a bitter after taste. It may not be my favorite brand, but it is a worthy brand for others. This is the most popular brand of orange juice in Florida.

Each brand of Florida orange juice offers something unique whether it's a clever television commercial on its freshness to a surprising generic brand that rivals others to an orange juice company winning many taste awards to 100% organic orange juice to one of the largest producers of orange juice in the world. The only way to decide which one is best for you is to simply taste them all. Now you can finally experience the fresh squeezed taste of orange juice from Florida without all the work.

SOURCES:

Frequently Asked Questions about OJ, Orange Juice Facts

Best Orange Juice Brands - Reviews of Best Tasting Orange Juice, Delish

Florida's Natural Brand Orange Juice, Florida's Natural

Publix Super Markets, Inc., Publix.com

Natalie's Orchid Island Juice Company, Orchid Island Juice

Noble Organic - Since 1927, Noble Juice.com

Tropicana - 100% Orange Pure & Natural, Tropicana