Bonnie: The best tasting orange juice? The fresh-squeezed glassful I’ve sipped while sitting outside in a Florida orange grove. Second best? This new 100 percent Valencia orange juice. It’s sweeter and less acidic than Tropicana’s Pure Premium (which to date had been the gold standard of supermarket chilled juices.)
To be honest, at first I was skeptical — and confused — when the varieties of Tropicana Pure arrived at my doorstep. Skeptical about how this new Valencia juice could be described as the most premium Tropicana had ever offered, as I had thought that Tropicana Pure Premium was just that.
And confused about the name. Pure? Pure Premium? Pure Valencia? Huh?
I think I’ve finally deciphered and can explain it to you. Well, sort of. The new juice product we’ve selected as this week’s Featured Bite is Tropicana Pure Valencia, with 100 percent of its juice from Valencia oranges; the line is Tropicana Pure.
And that line includes Raspberry Açaí, Pomegranate Blueberry, Indian River Grapefruit and Peach Papaya Mango. Although these, too, are 100 percent “pure” juice, you won’t find me raving about the blends, as I prefer eponymous juices, not ones with other added flavors. Their grapefruit is good, but too tart for me!
And while we’re talking grapefruit juice, let me add a Health Note from WebMD: “limit fresh grapefruit consumption while taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, as it can interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize these medications.” If you’re a grapefruit juice lover, discuss this with your health professional.
Back to Valencia.
To describe the Valencia’s uniqueness, Tropicana spokesperson Karen May explained, “Like wine that exclusively uses one variety of grapes from a single vineyard, Tropicana Pure Valencia is crafted from the juice of only a single variety of oranges – Valencia oranges – and select groves, from the top 3 percent of Tropicana’s harvest.
“Tropicana Pure Premium is blended from three main orange varietals—the Valencia, Hamlin and Pineapple oranges”
Me? From here forward, I’ll stick to this new sweet and flavorful 100 percent Valencia juice.
And for a refreshing midday beverage, I’ll mix a third Valencia juice and two-thirds fresh seltzer — for a yummy orange spritzer.
Bryan: You might ask, what is there really to say about orange juice at this point? The beverage has become such a staple of morning routines that we rarely discuss its various qualities these days. Americans drink it in all forms, but mostly from concentrate and rarely with any thought, aside from price. I was among this group of ‘sale’ buyers until I recently took my first sip of Tropicana Pure Valencia and was completely surprised. Tropicana is a household name when it comes to OJ, but this juice did not taste generic or mass-made. It had style. It was something very different. The bottle and design are a new look, reflecting the feel of a gourmet selection. I’ve often been disappointed by big names trying to seem like small, boutique brands, but this product truly delivers that quality. As a great addition, the crescent-shaped sides of the new bottle allow for easy grabbing to drink directly from the fridge (men rejoice). The ‘pure’ line is fresh (not from concentrate), but pasteurized to add longevity. The juice tastes fresh-squeezed and delivers 100 percent of your daily vitamin C; What more are you really asking for from a morning beverage? (Shh, coffee drinkers; take your morning fix elsewhere. Coffee is for dessert.)
We aren’t all health fanatics (myself included), but there are certain things that we can do to keep ourselves healthier. Add some pure juice to your routine to replace those morning sodas, sweet teas or energy drinks. You’ll find you feel better. Really.
Eric: The commodity FCOJ (Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice)…The first thing that came to mind when I was thinking about “orange juice” was the movie “Trading Places” where Billy Ray & Winthorpe’s cornered the FCOJ market. It is curious to me that my first thought was a movie reference, and not the usual childhood memories of the Frankenstein creation we members of the general public have disgracefully accepted as “juice.” Because of this potential “boycott,” many consumers are turning to the coffees, teas and cheaper, better tasting drink substitutes. I am one of these consumers. For years I have avoided all types of juice, and although I love the taste of freshly squeezed juice (particularly OJ), the average price of fresh juice is significantly higher than that of the frozen concentrates of this world.
For all of you realists out there, I don’t consider myself a lazy person. But most of the time I don’t have the desire at 7 a.m. to squeeze fresh juice (usually a much cheaper method) and end-up every once in awhile purchasing a 3-euro ($4.75) 16-oz bottle on my morning walk. I admit I was a skeptic and a bit of cynic when taking my first sip of Tropicana’s Pure Valencia (and the awe-inspiring, newly redesigned bottle didn’t affect my judgment). I wanted taste, and it’s exactly what I got…truthfully, I was shocked and couldn’t believe what I was tasting. After years of fearing bottled juices, I was actually enjoying a mass-produced one.
I have loved Tropicana Pure VALENCIA orange juice, but my local stores have discontinued carrying it? What large chains still carry it?
I live in Evansville, In cant find your juice at any stores, tried the juice in chicago a few weeks ago, fell in love with it, its the best tasting juice i have ever tried. would like to see if somewhere in evansville carries this juice. Tropicana valancia
I live in Evansville too. I used to buy it at schmucks. It has been discontinued:( I know, I loved it too!!’
I was so disappointed to hear that you discontinued the best orange juice ever to be in a grocery store. Since I am not the only one to have greatly enjoyed this product, why was it discontinued. This does not make a lot of scense to myself or other people. Why would you discontinue a product that seemed to be so popular? Will it ever come back on the market.
Wow! Liz, you found one that recent?! The key to the great taste is that it’s Valencia Oranges. Since I’ve moved up to Colorado, I haven’t found Valencia Orange Juice in any brand, would anyone know where to find one?
This is my second comment since April 21st concerning the disappearance of Tropicana Pure Valencia Orange juice in the Boston area as well as the entire country.Delores asked “why would you discontinue a product that seemed so popular?”…I not only agree with Dolores and many others asking why there is no response from corporate at Tropicana. It is we the consumer that keeps you in business and the least you can do is respond to our dilemma of the disappearance of Tropicana Pure Valencia orange juice!
I suggest you look at Indian River products. They make a great pure Valencia juice. Up until very recently my neighborhood Winn-Dixie carried their product line, but discontinued it because of low sales volume – a sad commentary on the ignorance of some consumers. Check their web site at indianriverjuice.com
Hi all, we at Tropicana are and have been listening. In posts 55 and 83, we shared that we unfortunately had to discontinue PURE. Again, we appreciate your passion and loyalty and will keep you and Bonnie updated on new products. Thanks for the feedback.
To Gina/Tropicana: Why was it discontinued? Will it ever come back? Could we get it maybe in frozen concentrate?
Fruit juices in general and orange juice in particular are better to drink immediately after squeezing in order not to lose their nutritional value. They are certainly less efficacious after passing through the process of pasteurization.
i am another consumer highly disappointed in your company for discontinuing valencia tropicana. it was the best oj i ever had and i was told it was a seasonal product from mu local grocer and i have spent the last two years waiting to see it in my market again. It’s something I believe was a bad decision by your company.
I absolutely agree with Tammi. With all the bad products on the market today, they come up with a superior one and take it off. I just don’t understand. Bad, bad marketing practice. You should learn something from all your consumers that are upset. These are just the ones your hearing from. Think about all the ones who aren’t writing. How about reconsidereing? Bring it back!
Please reconsider bringing back the beloved VALENCIA TROPICANA!!!
BRING BACK TROPICANNA PURE VALENCIA!!!
I’ve got a fever…and the only cure is a prescription for more Valencia.
For real though… it is the BEST. Please bring it back. So sad.
PS Please discontinue Trop 50… it’s awful. That will open shelf space for Valencia.
I think you guys are living in topsy turvy world and need to listen to the customers.
I agree Trop 50 is horrible!! Maybe they can’t get the special oranges it takes to make the good stuff?? Idk they don’t seem to be listening do they???
Listening? I guess not. I thought the consumer was ALWAYS right. Oh, they can get them. They grow them like crazy in Florida and basically use Valencia along with others to blend other orange juices. With over 100 gripes and complaints to bring it back, makes you kinda wonder. Well, until Tropicana brings back Valencia, I will not buy any other Tropicana. Maybe that’s the route to go. I don’t know what their problems is but someone needs to be FIRED!
Consider the Tropicana boycott ON!
Good. Let’s make it happen and hope we get a lot of cooperation.
BOYCOTT TROPICANA!?!
I have been since the day I could not find it on the shelf…anywhere. What they have out is just not the best. If they changed the flavor when it still sucked…I can read that it has not changed. They only have been responding to our post with an answer that they are reading and hearing us…but their answers are always…”unfortunately had to discontinue PURE.” Other then they were not selling well? I tried the “Pure” by chance and loved it. I never saw promotions on the product. I think you need to rethink your game plan!!!
I will never use or buy anything from Tropicana!
BRING…BRING…BRING…”PURE” BACK!!!!
I have found something but have yet to try it. I cannot remember who the manufacturer is but, I guess I am fortunate, if you don’t live on the east coast (still only certain places) and you have a Fresh Market, they carry a Valencia only orange juice. It’s worth a try if you have that or maybe another specialty store like Fresh Market. They’re out of Charlotte, NC but don’t know where all their stores are. I’m in Greenville, SC and we’ve had one for years. I just happened to check the last time I was in the store. I’m still not buying Tropicana. That was the only good thing about them.
I have written about the loss of Tropicana Pure Valencia orange juice and for those of hundreds of readers there is the great news one can buy at Shaws and Star Markets in the Boston,Ma. area…OCEAN SPRAY VALENCIA ORANGES! They must be squeezed yourself,however it is the real mccoy!!!
I encourage the corporate honchos of Tropicana to search the state of Florida and contact Ocean Spray and stop the big lies and ignorant statements why you can’t produce your own Valencia Orange from three years ago!!
I found a reasonable substitute at Whole Foods in their 100% Valencia orange juice in the blue refrigerated container. And it’s less expensive than Tropicana’s former brand. Make sure you check for the containers with the freshest “sell by” date.
If you’re saying they are not making PURE Valencia because they can’t get Valencia oranges? That is the biggest BS I have ever heard. If that’s the case, how come I can still buy the whole orange? That’s also another fallacy. How come other orange juice producers can get them and Tropicana can’t. Somebody’s pulling somebody’s leg. I am going to try my Fresh Market and Whole Foods. I’m in South Carolina and not the northeast but I am still going to try to find the one Jeff mentioned from Ocean Spray. If I can find something just as good and Tropicana decide to reinstate their PURE Valencia again. Sorry. I won’t buy it. You’ve played with the consumer too long and we’ve lost faith in you. I’ll turn to something just as good even if I have to stick with Simply Orange. Tropicana, you’ve lost all creditability. I will not go back nor will I purchase any of your other inferior Tropicana products. Good Bye Tropicana.
It’s been three years and I’m still pining for this juice. That should indicate how good the product was. If it failed, then it is because they didn’t market it correctly and people just didn’t know about it. Perhaps they didn’t leave it on the market long enough for people to discover its superiority. I stumbled upon it and when I went back for more the next week, it was gone.
I will be looking for those substitutes…
I’m sooo excited- I found 100% Valencia at The Fresh Market today!! I bought 2 bottles!! Whoo hoo!!!
One more note. There is also a Valercia OJ from Indian River out of Flordia. I noticed it at Ingles Markets but it may also be at Bi-Lo, Publix and Wal-Mart. Haven’t checked there yet. I have some but have not tried it as yet. I will comment when I do and also check out the Fresh Market’s OJ. There is a Fresh Market in Greenville. We’re going to get this resolved yet, with or without Tropicana. Just find someone else to provide our 100% Valencia jucie.
The Indian River Valencia is an excellent product. Unfortunately, its availability is limited. In Baton Rouge it was carried only by Winn-Dixie which has since discontinued it due to low sales volume. Therefore, I cannot find it at all in this city. The best alternative here seems to be the 100% Valencia juice from Whole Foods Market.
Does anyone know of where I can get some Valencia Orange Juice up here in Colorado? I moved from Texas in July 2010 and I know there in “HEB” they had Central Market Valencia Orange Juice and it was a good substitute. But up here I haven’t found anything.
Jason, I live in Wyoming, but I always find it at Safeway.
There is NO…I repeat….there is NO substitute for our beloved Tropicana Valencia. What will it take to bring it back? Sure, I can squeeze it myself, but I rather pay alittle more and have the convinence of the time saved…AND that wonderful taste that only comes from Tropicana Valencia!!!!
Hey, Mr. Big Shot whose controling the production of this fine product…WAKE UP!!!!
I bought the Fresh Market and have to say it’s not as good:(
Jeff et al – I just heard back from Ocean Spray about their fresh crop of Valencia oranges. Their season — which distributes nationally — is just ending, as it runs from late February through June. Keep an eye out for them next February!
Mike G. is right 365 Whole Foods 100% Valencia is now occupying my refrigerator and I am satisfied with it.
Thanks for the fix, Mike!
To Marie,Mike G.,& the others,
You’ve got to be kidding!!!!NOTHING compares to Tropicana
Valencia orange juice!!
There’s only one orange juice that will ever occupy my refrigrator….TROPICANA VALENCIA ORANGE JUICE! Damm I miss that juice! I’ll just keep squeezing my own.
To those who think they have found THE one…I say…forget it. I’ve tried them all, and I do mean them all. From unknown brands to popular ones, and I’m still squeezing my own. That should tell you something. All you lazy people out there, STOP looking and squeez your own. Enough said. Let’s just put this to sleep.
Millie, there is no need for name calling and all out rudeness.
I agree! Get a grip!
Marie,
There’s no name calling!!!!You must be one of the lazy ones. Lazy is a description of ones personiality.. NOT a name….a description. Get it?
Guess we should all face facts. I don’t believe they will ever bring it back so there is only two choices. Do what Millie said and squeeze our own or find an alternative. We’ll just all keep in touch and give our opinions on other alternatives until we find a close second, if you don’t want to squeeze your own. Good luck to all out there and keep everyone posted on good alternatives.
I agree with Millie that there is no substitute for the real Tropicana Pure Valencia orange juice. A few months ago I discovered Ocean Spray Sweet Valencia Oranges in a orange mesh bag which has to be squeezed,but it is worth it. You can close your eyes and swear you were drinking Tropicana’s Pure Valencia orange juice! Unfortunately according to Bonnie the Ocean Spray season for Valencia Oranges runs only from late February through the end of June.
I really like Valencia Orange Juice but cannot locate it where I live in Oklahoma. I tried the Tropicana web site but could not use the site to find a location to buy Tropicana valencia OJ. Why is it such a secret as to where Valencia Orange Juice is sold? Why doesn`t tropicana have this information on their web site?
That is because it has been disscontiued.
there is good news for the lovers of valencia orange juice if you live in the Boston,Ma. area. I discovered a fruit stand called Russo & Sons in Watertown,Ma. that sells valencia Oranges in a bag and you must sqeeze yourself. The other is called Idylwilde Farms in Acton,Ma. They also have a bag to squeeze your own oranges or they have plastic containers already sqeezed!
Dennis,
Tropicana doesn’t have it on their web site because they want the whole thing to just go away. It wasn’t a big profit maker for them, and they want to put it behind them and concentrate not on what customers want in a niche market, but on profits.
Please allow me to suggest that, if you’re near a Whole Foods Market, you try their 100% Valencia orange juice. I find it’s not quite the equal of the former Tropicana brand, but it does make a very reasonable and tasty substitute.
Mike G.
I tried the Indian River and it doesn’t even remotely come close. I am going to check Fresh Market and also try the Whole Foods one. Just haven’t made it out there yet. Let’s keep plugging away and maybe, just maybe someone will come up with a GREAT subsitute. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed. Keep this line going because we all have something in common. Finding another Valencia orange juice as good as Tropicana’s. If so, maybe we can make a run nationally that they’ll regret what they did. Tease us then take it away. Good luck out there and keep us informed.
I have tried the fresh market’s… Not quite as good either:(
I just discovered the best fresh squeezed orange juice at Wegmans supermarket in Northboro, Massachusetts! They come in various size plastic jugs with pulp.It is their own label and this is the real thing since Tropicana Valencia was discontinued for no honest reason. They just opened their first store in New England and originated in Rochester, New York. Search for a Wegmans in your area and I promise you will be extremely satisfied and the search for the best orange juice ever has been found!!!
Tell them to come south, Jeff. Will this saga never end. Can’t someone come up with an OJ that will beat Tropicana’s pants off. You have a following. Please. We are all looking for you.
Just finding this thread. WHY did Tropicana do this?! It was my fav of all time.