Caribbean Way is a line of frozen juices and juice drinks produced by The Minute Maid Company, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. As the name suggests, Caribbean Way products are inspired by the flavors and fruits commonly found in the Caribbean region.
Fruit Juices
The Caribbean Way fruit juices contain 100% juice and no added sugar. There are several varieties of fruit juices available in the Caribbean Way line:
- Mango Juice – Made from ripe, sweet mangoes.
- Pineapple Juice – Made from fresh, ripe pineapples.
- Strawberry Banana Juice – A blend of strawberries and bananas.
- Guava Juice – Made from refreshing, tropical guavas.
- Passionfruit Juice – Made from tart, aromatic passionfruit.
- Tropical Fruit Punch – A blend of mango, pineapple, passionfruit and guava juices.
The fruit juices are an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants. They contain no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors. The juices are made by blending together fresh, ripe fruits and extracting the liquid. This results in a minimally processed, nutrient-rich beverage.
Juice Drinks
In addition to fruit juices, Caribbean Way also offers juice drinks and juice cocktails. These contain a blend of fruit juices combined with added sweeteners and flavors. Some examples of the juice drinks include:
- Island Splash – A blend of orange, passionfruit, guava and pineapple juices with added sweeteners.
- Tropical Sunrise – A mix of orange, mango and guava juices with added sweeteners.
- Jamaican Me Happy – A combination of orange juice, pineapple juice, passionfruit puree and coconut cream with added sweeteners.
- Bahama Mama – A juice cocktail containing orange juice, pineapple juice, mango puree, coconut cream and grenadine syrup.
The juice drinks contain around 10-15% juice and added sugars or sweeteners. The sweeteners help provide the bright, tropical flavors people expect from Caribbean-inspired beverages. The drinks have bolder, more intense fruit flavors compared to the 100% fruit juices.
Ingredients
Now that we’ve covered the main Caribbean Way product lines, let’s take a more detailed look at some of the key ingredients found in these beverages:
Fruit Juices
The fruit juices used in Caribbean Way products include:
- Orange juice – Made by squeezing fresh oranges to extract the natural liquid and flavor.
- Pineapple juice – Extracted from fresh, ripe pineapples.
- Mango juice – Made from sweet, tropical mangoes.
- Guava juice – Pressed from refreshing guavas.
- Passionfruit juice – From tangy, bold passionfruit.
- Strawberry juice – Made from ripe, red strawberries.
- Banana juice – Extracted from fresh bananas.
These fruit juices provide natural sweetness, flavors, vitamins and antioxidants to Caribbean Way beverages.
Purees
Some Caribbean Way products also contain fruit purees to provide thicker texture and more intense fruit flavor. These purees are made by blending whole fruits into a smooth, pulp-rich liquid. Common purees used include:
- Mango puree – Made from blended mangoes.
- Passionfruit puree – From blended passionfruits.
- Pineapple puree – Blended pineapple flesh.
Sweeteners
Caribbean Way juice drinks contain added sweeteners like:
- Cane sugar – Provides sweetness and balances flavors.
- High fructose corn syrup – Sweeter than regular sugar so less is needed.
- Honey – Imparts mild floral sweetness.
- Agave nectar – Sweeter than sugar from the agave plant.
Natural Flavors
Small amounts of natural flavors may be added to improve taste and replicate the real fruit flavors. Common ones include:
- Lemon flavor – Zesty, citrusy lemon notes.
- Lime flavor – Adds fresh lime taste.
- Orange flavor – For bright, sweet orange notes.
- Pineapple flavor – Tropical pineapple undertones.
- Mango flavor – Ripe, juicy mango nuances.
- Coconut flavor – For rich coconut and cream flavors.
The natural flavors complement the fruit juices and provide a more authentic, fruity taste profile.
Other Ingredients
Some minor ingredients may also be used, including:
- Citric acid – For tartness and preserving quality.
- Ascorbic acid – Vitamin C to maintain color and nutrient levels.
- Guar gum & xanthan gum – Natural thickeners and stabilizers.
- Coconut cream – For richer mouthfeel and coconut flavor.
- Grenadine syrup – Made from pomegranates for vibrant red color and flavor.
These help provide the optimal flavor, texture, color and quality consumers expect from Caribbean Way.
Nutrition Facts
Now let’s look at the nutrition facts and key vitamins and minerals found in these beverages.
100% Fruit Juices
A 6oz serving of Caribbean Way 100% fruit juice typically provides:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90-110 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 22-28g |
| Sugars | 20-26g |
| Protein | 1-2g |
| Vitamin C | 45-90mg |
| Potassium | 350-450mg |
The fruit juices are an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports immune health. They also provide potassium, an important mineral for blood pressure regulation.
Juice Drinks
A 6oz serving of a Caribbean Way juice drink contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 110-140 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 28-34g |
| Sugars | 26-32g |
| Protein | 0-1g |
| Vitamin C | 30-60mg |
| Potassium | 270-370mg |
The juice drinks also provide vitamin C and potassium, but in smaller amounts than the 100% juices due to their lower juice content. They are higher in natural sugars from the added sweeteners.
Benefits
Drinking Caribbean Way beverages offers many benefits:
- Provide hydration from their high water content.
- Excellent source of vitamin C to support immunity.
- Contain antioxidants that help fight cellular damage.
- Natural fruit flavors and sweetness for great taste.
- Potassium helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
- Convenient packaging for on-the-go refreshment.
- No artificial preservatives, flavors or colors.
The juices and juice drinks make it easy to get beneficial vitamins, minerals and hydration in refreshing, sweet and tangy beverages inspired by the Caribbean.
Selection
Caribbean Way products are available in the refrigerated juice section of major grocery stores, supermarkets and convenience stores. They come in the following packaging sizes:
- 11.5oz single serve bottles
- 48oz multi-serve bottles
- 64oz family size bottles
The juices and juice drinks are available in a wide range of flavors to suit any taste. Popular choices include:
- Island Splash
- Tropical Fruit Punch
- Strawberry Banana Juice
- Mango Juice
- Pineapple Juice
- Tropical Sunrise
- Bahama Mama
New and seasonal flavors are introduced periodically to keep the line fresh and exciting for consumers.
Storage
To maintain safety and quality, Caribbean Way juices and juice drinks should be properly refrigerated:
- Store unopened bottles in the refrigerator at 35-40°F.
- After opening, reseal the bottle tightly and return to the refrigerator.
- Use within 5-7 days for best quality.
- Do not freeze or store for extended periods at room temperature.
- Check expiration date and use within that time frame.
Proper refrigeration preserves the fresh flavors and nutritional value. The bottles are designed for resealing and short term storage after opening.
Company Info
Caribbean Way juices and juice drinks are produced by The Minute Maid Company, a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. Minute Maid is headquartered in Houston, Texas and has production facilities worldwide. Some key facts include:
- Founded in 1945 in the United States.
- Over 1 billion servings sold annually across over 100 countries.
- Famous for orange juice and lemonade products.
- Also makes fruit drinks, punches, iced teas and coffee drinks.
- Operates 60+ production facilities globally.
- Employs over 17,000 people worldwide.
Caribbean Way allows Minute Maid to offer great-tasting, fruit-based beverages inspired by the bright, vibrant flavors of the tropics. The company has the resources and experience to produce high quality juices on a large scale.
Conclusion
Caribbean Way is Minute Maid’s line of fruit juices and tropical juice drinks. The beverages are made with refreshing, sweet fruit juices and purees like orange, mango, guava, pineapple and passionfruit. They provide nutrients like vitamin C and potassium along with authentic, fruity Caribbean-inspired flavors. Caribbean Way makes it easy to enjoy the taste of the tropics in convenient, ready-to-drink packages. The variety of flavors and nutrition make these quality beverages a refreshing choice any time of day.
