Tomato juice is a juice made from , usually used as a beverage, either plain or in such as a Bloody Mary, a Caesar, or Michelada.
In the United States, most tomato juice is made from tomato paste, but pressing is allowed as well. The tomatoes are required to be ripe (using a color standard on the finished product), mostly blemish-free, and mostly deseeded. The total solid content is more than 5.0%, with no added water allowed. Additional salt and organic , but not sweeteners, are allowed.
In Canada, tomato juice is unconcentrated and pasteurized. The other requirements are largely similar, except that additives allowed are a sweetening agent, citric acid and salt. Reconstituted juices in general are required to be labelled clearly.
Chilled tomato juice was formerly popular as an appetizer at restaurants in the United States.
Tomato juice is frequently used as a packing liquid for , though it is sometimes replaced by tomato purée for international commerce due to tariff issues on vegetables vs. sauces. According to Cook's Illustrated magazine, tomatoes packed in juice as opposed to purée tend to win taste tests, being perceived as fresher tasting.
Tomato juice is used in the preparation of tomato juice agar, used to culture various species of Lactobacillus.
Tomato juice is a popular drink among airplane passengers. A small study by Yan and Dando hints that this is due to an increased perception of umami flavor while in the loud and pressurized environment of the cabin. An alternative explanation is that it has become tradition similar to eating popcorn at the cinema.
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