How to Compare Cherry Juice: A Complete Guide
Published: April 2011 | Updated: Sept 2025
This blog post explains how to compare cherry juice options, what factors matter most, and why Traverse Bay Farms sets the standard with Montmorency tart cherry juice, tart cherries, glass bottling, and the industry’s only sediment-free guarantee.
Quick Summary Bullets
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Learn which factors matter when comparing cherry juice
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Discover why tart cherries deliver the most benefits
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See how Traverse Bay Farms ensures unmatched purity
Introduction
Looking to buy cherry juice but unsure how to choose the right one? You’re not alone. With so many brands and labels—from concentrate, not from concentrate, organic, cold-pressed—it can feel confusing.
At Traverse Bay Farms, we’ve been creating tart cherry products for over 20 years. With 38+ national food awards and customers nationwide, we know what separates a high-quality cherry juice from a so-so option. In this guide, we’ll show you how to compare cherry juice so you can make the healthiest, smartest choice.
1. Type of Cherry Used
Not all cherries are the same.
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Tart Cherries (Montmorency): Backed by most scientific studies on sleep, joint health, and recovery. Lower in sugar and higher in anthocyanins.
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Sweet Cherries: Great for snacking, but less research supports their use in juice for health benefits.
✅ Best Choice: Always look for tart cherry juice on the label. At Traverse Bay Farms, we use only Montmorency tart cherries. What is the difference between Tart Cherry and Sweet Cherries
2. From Concentrate vs. Not From Concentrate
When comparing cherry juice, check the label.
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From Concentrate: Water is removed for shipping and added back later. Cost-effective, eco-friendly, and long shelf life.
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Not From Concentrate: Fresh-squeezed, pasteurized juice. Tastes great but requires refrigeration and has shorter shelf life.
✅ Best Choice Traverse Bay Farms: High-quality concentrate offers the same nutrition and better value. What does from concentrate really mean
3. Sediment-Free Guarantee
Ever opened a bottle of juice and found cloudy residue or thick sludge? That’s sediment, and it’s a sign of poor processing.
Traverse Bay Farms is the only cherry juice brand in the industry with a sediment-free guarantee.
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No cloudy floaties
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No thick sludge at the bottom
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A clean, smooth pour every time
✅ Best Choice: Look for brands that guarantee clarity and purity—Traverse Bay Farms leads here.
4. Packaging: Glass vs. Plastic
Packaging impacts both quality and safety.
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Glass Bottles: Prevent plastic leaching, preserve flavor, recyclable, longer shelf life.
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Plastic Bottles: May leach chemicals, can alter flavor, shorter shelf life.
Traverse Bay Farms has only bottled in glass since 2001.
✅ Best Choice: Always choose glass-bottled juice and why we only use glass bottles.
5. Brix Level (Concentration Strength)
“Brix” measures how dense and rich a juice concentrate is.
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Lower Brix (<60): More diluted, less fruit per ounce.
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Higher Brix (68): More cherries, richer flavor, better value.
✅ Best Choice: Traverse Bay Farms concentrate is 68 Brix - gold standard —and guaranteed sediment-free.
6. Country of Origin
Not all cherries come from the USA. Many brands import fruit, which can impact freshness and authenticity.
Traverse Bay Farms uses as much locally-grown produce and Michigan-grown fruit as possible in all of our products and never imports cherries.
✅ Best Choice: Choose brands that support local growers and provide USA-only cherries.
7. Added Ingredients
Many juices sneak in sweeteners or preservatives. Always check the label.
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Pure Juice: 100% cherries, no sugar or additives.
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Added Sugar / Preservatives: Unnecessary fillers that lower health value.
✅ Best Choice: Traverse Bay Farms is 100% pure tart cherry juice—no sugar, no preservatives, nothing added.
How to Use Cherry Juice Concentrate
Once you’ve chosen the right juice, here are easy ways to enjoy it:
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Mix 1 oz concentrate with 7 oz water for a refreshing daily drink
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Blend into smoothies for antioxidants
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Add to sparkling water for a healthy soda swap
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Take before bed to support sleep
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Use in sauces, marinades, or desserts
- Download you Free copy of the Michigan Cherry Recipe Cookbook
Key Takeaway
When comparing cherry juices, look at:
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Type of cherry (tart vs sweet)
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From concentrate vs not from concentrate
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Sediment-free clarity
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Glass vs plastic packaging
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Brix level (strength)
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Country of origin
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Additives vs 100% pure
At Traverse Bay Farms, you get the best of every category: tart cherries only, 68 Brix, sediment-free guarantee, glass bottles since 2001, and USA-grown fruit.
FAQs
How do you compare cherry juice products?
To compare cherry juice products, look at the type of cherries used, whether the product is juice or concentrate, the concentration ratio, the ingredient list, added sugars, country of origin, and overall transparency about sourcing and processing.
What type of cherries are best for cherry juice?
Montmorency tart cherries are the most commonly used variety for cherry juice because they offer a naturally tart flavor and are widely associated with antioxidant content.
What is the difference between cherry juice and cherry juice concentrate?
Cherry juice is ready-to-drink, while cherry juice concentrate has had water removed so it can be diluted later, allowing for a smaller serving size with the same cherry content.
Why does concentration matter when comparing cherry juice?
Higher concentration ratios indicate more cherries used per serving, which helps shoppers compare value and potency across different cherry juice products.
Why is the ingredient list important when choosing cherry juice?
A short ingredient list without added sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives helps ensure the product reflects the natural qualities of the cherries.
Does the country of origin matter for cherry juice?
Cherry juice made from U.S.-grown cherries offers clearer traceability, quality standards, and sourcing transparency compared to imported blends.
People Also Ask
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What’s the difference between tart and sweet cherry juice?
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Is concentrate or not from concentrate better?
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Why does glass bottling matter for cherry juice?
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How much cherry juice should I drink each day?
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