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Lemon juice concentrate

Lemon juice concentrate suppliers and sourcing guide

Lemon juice concentrate is juice extracted from lemons (Citrus limon) with part of the water removed by evaporation. It is traded by acidity, as grams of citric acid per liter (GPL, often around 400 or 500), as well as by Brix. It is sold cloudy or clarified, frozen or aseptic, and is used to acidify and flavor drinks, sauces, dressings and baked goods.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
concentrated lemon juice · Citrus limon · lemon juice from concentrate · lemon concentrate 400 GPL
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of lemon juice concentrate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cloudy concentrate

    Contains fine pulp and cloud; the usual grade for juice drinks and lemonade.

  • Clarified concentrate

    Depectinized and filtered for clear drinks.

  • Not-from-concentrate (NFC) lemon juice

    Single-strength juice, usually frozen or chilled.

  • Preserved single-strength juice

    Reconstituted or NFC juice with preservatives for ambient storage.

  • Organic

    From certified organic lemons.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Titratable acidity
Acidity as citric acid by titration, in GPL or percent; the main trading spec.
Brix
Soluble solids by refractometer, reported corrected or uncorrected for acid.
Pulp and cloud
Sinking pulp by centrifuge and cloud stability for cloudy grades.
Microbiology
Yeast and mold, total plate count and acid-tolerant spoilage organisms such as Alicyclobacillus.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen, since peel oil and fruit surface treatments can carry over.
Authenticity
Checks for added acids or sugars, such as isotope or organic acid profiles, when adulteration is a concern.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store frozen concentrate at or below about -18°C; aseptic bag-in-box concentrate can sit at cool ambient or chilled until opened, then refrigerated. Mix before use since pulp and cloud settle. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec for the format and temperature.

Lots and expiry dates

Acidity, Brix and peel oil vary by growing area and season, so record GPL and Brix per lot and adjust the dilution rate. Browning increases with warm storage, so rotate first-expiring lots first (FEFO).

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 146.114 identifies concentrated lemon juice as lemon juice from which part of the water has been removed.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 146.114 requires lemon juice prepared from concentrated lemon juice and water to be named "Lemon juice from concentrate" or "reconstituted lemon juice".

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 120.1 applies the juice HACCP rule to juice sold as such or used as an ingredient in beverages, and defines juice to include concentrates of the liquid expressed or extracted from fruits or vegetables.

    Source: govinfo.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • USDA's grade standards for concentrated lemon juice for manufacturing describe U.S. Grade A as concentrate that shows no material gelation and reconstitutes properly, scoring not less than 85 points.

    Source: ams.usda.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Lemon juice concentrate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking lemon juice concentrate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell lemon juice concentrate? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of lemon juice concentrate can brands buy?

Common forms include cloudy concentrate, clarified concentrate, not-from-concentrate (NFC) lemon juice, preserved single-strength juice and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for lemon juice concentrate include?

Expect titratable acidity, brix, pulp and cloud, microbiology, pesticide residues and authenticity, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should lemon juice concentrate be stored?

Store frozen concentrate at or below about -18°C; aseptic bag-in-box concentrate can sit at cool ambient or chilled until opened, then refrigerated. Mix before use since pulp and cloud settle. Shelf life follows the supplier's spec for the format and temperature.

What is the regulatory status of lemon juice concentrate?

21 CFR 146.114 identifies concentrated lemon juice as lemon juice from which part of the water has been removed. 21 CFR 146.114 requires lemon juice prepared from concentrated lemon juice and water to be named "Lemon juice from concentrate" or "reconstituted lemon juice". 21 CFR 120.1 applies the juice HACCP rule to juice sold as such or used as an ingredient in beverages, and defines juice to include concentrates of the liquid expressed or extracted from fruits or vegetables. USDA's grade standards for concentrated lemon juice for manufacturing describe U.S. Grade A as concentrate that shows no material gelation and reconstitutes properly, scoring not less than 85 points.

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