SOFT DRINKS
In the manufacture of soft drinks, special attention must be paid to the purity and uniformity of ingredients. These ingredients include water, carbon dioxide, sugar or sugar substitutes, acids, flavoring, and sometimes coloring.
Water is usually taken from pure municipal sources. Nevertheless, because the amount of impurities in the municipal supply may vary from time to time, it generally undergoes further processing to ensure uniformity of the finished product. In some bottling plants the water-treatment equipment may consist simply of a sand filter to remove minute solid particles and an activated-carbon purifier to remove color, chlorine, and any other tastes or odors that may be present. In most plants, however, water is treated by a process known as super chlorination and coagulation. In this process the water is exposed to a high concentration of chlorine and to a flocculants that removes tiny organisms. The water is then passed through a sand filter and activated-carbon purifier.
Natural flavors are derived from fruits, nuts, berries, roots, herbs, and other plant sources. Flavoring syrup is made from sugar that is delivered to the soft-drink manufacturer either in granulated form or as a 67-percent or 76-percent solution known as liquid sugar. Sugars commonly known as corn sugars can also be used as substitutes for cane sugar. The sugar is dissolved or diluted with processed water, then combined with flavoring substances. Edible acids, principally citric acid, are added to give the mixture tartness. Natural or artificial coloring may also be added, and sometimes preservatives are used to protect the beverage from spoilage. Large quantities of synthetic sweeteners are used in the production of low-calorie beverages.
Special Kinds of Soft Drinks
Noncarbonated soft drinks are produced with much the same ingredients and techniques as are carbonated soft drinks. However, because they are not protected from spoilage by carbonation, they are usually pasteurized. This may be done in bulk or by continuous flash pasteurization either prior to filling or in the bottle.
Powdered soft drinks are made by blending flavoring material with such ingredients as dry acids, gums, and artificial color. If the sweetener has been included, the consumer needs only to add water to make the drink.