A method is described for processing fruit or vegetables, e.g., cranberries,
into
two different juices. One of the two juices has a relatively high level of phytochemicals
and a relatively low level of sugars and acids. The other of the two juices has
a relatively low level of phytochemicals and a relatively high level of sugars
and acids. The method of the invention entails providing three juice streams. The
first juice stream is passed through an ultrafiltration apparatus or some other
apparatus that is capable of preferentially separating the relatively lower molecular
weight compounds, e.g., sugars and acids, from the relatively higher molecular
weight compounds, e.g., phytochemicals. This process creates two juice fractions:
a juice fraction that is relatively enriched in sugars and acids and a juice fraction
that is relatively enriched in phytochemicals. The second juice stream is combined
with the juice fraction that is relatively enriched in sugars and acids to create
a juice that has a relatively high level of sugars and acids and a relatively low
level of phytochemicals. The third juice stream is combined with the juice fraction
that is relatively enriched in phytochemicals to create a juice that has a relatively
high level of phytochemicals and a relatively low level of sugars and acids.