Popular Culture | Boom and Bust | From Concentrate | Folk Art | Video
During World War Two, scientists developed techniques to create "frozen concentrated orange juice" (FCOJ) without significantly altering the taste. The impetus for FCOJ came first from the wartime demands of America's allies in Europe, who struggled to provide adequate Vitamin C to troops on the battlefield. After the war, FCOJ allowed distributers to greatly increase the market for "fresh" Florida orange juice. The ability to ship FCOJ, combined with growing consumption of frozen foods, led to a massive increase in citrus production. Citrus production in Florida increased from 43 million boxes in 1945 to 72 million in 1952. About half of all fruit became FCOJ in the 1950s. By the 1990s, nearly 90% of all citrus grown in Florida reached consumers in the form of frozen concentrated orange juice.
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General note: The machine is a juicer.
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General note: Orange juice cans are being filled with slushy orange juice concentrate. The cans will then be sealed and quick-frozen.
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General note: The fruit will be washed, graded and squeezed. The juice will then be processed and stored for future orders or sent to market. Each load of fruit is selected at the peak of maturity to produce the best citrus juice.
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Since the 1960s Florida citrus has entered into another stage of development, marked by a reduction in acreage and production. The decline of citrus in Florida stems from increased commercial and residential land development in the Sunshine State. As Florida's population increased steadily following World War Two, the amount of land dedicated to citrus cultivation rapidly decreased. For example, Orange County, Florida, home of Disneyland and Orlando, produced 95% less citrus in 1990 than in 1970. The panoramic views of citrus groves below now exist only in memory for many Floridians.
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Popular Culture | Boom and Bust | From Concentrate | Folk Art | Video
