Q: Why do some of your products contain lactic acid?
A: Lactic acid foods have been an important part of human nutrition for thousands of years. Foods such as sauerkraut, which results from spontaneous lactic acid fermentation in cut cabbage, are widely protected from bacterial deterioration during storage. In addition to preservation, lactic acid foods are of vital importance to the human body, especially for digestion and metabolism. Lactic acid is produced as a naturally spontaneous fermentation process in Biotta products.
Q: How do Biotta juices retain their vitamins?
A: The longer pasteurization process and the higher the temperature, the greater the damage to the vitamins in any product. Biotta uses a gentle method of pasteurizartion, which retains the greatest possible quantity of vital nutrients. The juice is heated quickly and immediately cooked down again. The production continues using as few stages as possible. Oxygen is excluded as much as possible, hindering oxidation and the resulting loss of vitamins. 100% non-gas-permeable glass packaging is used. Glass provides the best product protection and no undesired external elements (oxygen) can permeate the product, resulting in the best vitamin retention. UV-rays (light influence) can break down vitamins, which is why Biotta products are packaged in closed cartons for storage and transportation.
Q: Why are there variations in color, flavor and aroma in Biotta products?
A: Depending on the weather, the natural sugar content, the acidity, the color and the flavor of fruits and vegetables can vary. Similar to wine, the climatic variations from year to year result in sensory variations which make up the distinctions in vintages. Biotta tries to avoid greater variations as much as possible by controlling the types of fruits and vegetables chosen and through the blending of different batches. Biotta does not use concentrates, the dilution of which can provide a standardized product. Our products are absolutely natural and uncompromised. No adjustments in aroma, flavor or color are made.
Q: Why do Biotta berry juices contain sugar?
A: Berry juices such as bilberry and elderberry are naturally very strong and sour tasting. Sugar is added for drinking pleasure. The flavor is enhanced with appropriate tea blends and/or the addition of unrefined sugar or agave juice to neutralize acids.
Q: Why do Biotta juices contain sediment?
A: Sediment contains many beneficial properties, such as phytonutrients. For this reason, Biotta juices are not enhanced or clarified (sediment filtering) whenever possible. In order to retain the highest possible quantity of vital nutrients, sediment is an essential part of the product. The sediment supports and enhances the characteristics of the juices. Sediment is a sign of juice in its natural state and Biotta recommends shaking the bottle vigorously before consuming. In order to remove the sediment, chemical-physical methods are necessary, which are not in accordance with the Biotta philosophy.
Q: Why does Biotta use disposable bottles?
A: Disposable bottles, as opposed to re-useable bottles, do not require return transportation. Fruit and vegetable juices leave a residue in the bottles, requiring extensive cleaning. In the case of re-usable bottles, this would require a great deal of hot water and a high concentration of chemicals. Glass can be repeatedly recycled and made into new packaging, without compromising the quality. Glass is comprised of natural materials, which have been used for thousands of years.
Q: What is the shelf life of Biotta juices?
A: Vegetables are only harvested once per year, therefore Biotta produces a year supply at a time. We accomplish a long shelf life by:
· Using non-gas-permeable bottles (glass)
· Bottles are packaged in cartons and protected from light and dust
· Through gentle pasteurization: The juices are heated quickly and at a very low temperature, immediately cooled down allowing for the greatest possible retention of nutrients.
· Through gentle processing using as few stages as possible.
· Biotta fruit and vegetable juices are acidic. Acidic products have a naturally longer shelf life without compromising quality.
Q: Why does Biotta use glass bottles?
A: Glass provides the best product protection. Combined with Biotta’s own safety seal (aluminum tamper evident caps), glass bottles ensure non-gas-permeability. This means external, undesired elements (such as oxygen) cannot get into the product, and nothing is able to escape from the bottle (flavor). This allows for full retention of flavor, content and aroma. Juices bottled in glass have the longest shelf-life and the consumer is able to see the contents of the bottle. With glass bottling, there is no migration of packaging materials into the product, as can happen with PET, carton or aluminum, having negative effects on product quality.
Glass is completely tasteless. According to a 2004 study by the Karmasin Institute for Motivational Research in Vienna, Austria, 72% of consumers find glass ideal packaging for organic products. They find glass to be hygienic, appetizing, recyclable, tasteless and practical. As far as enjoyment/refreshment, according to a study by the G.R.P. Institute for Rational Psychology in Stuttgart, Germany, packaging has a major influence on the enjoyment of a beverage. The test showed that juice in glass received the best ratings, and juice in PET and carton ranked much lower. Women, primarily, were found to rank juice in glass bottles much higher in areas of flavor, enjoyment and superiority.
