The concentration factor is the ratio expressing how many parts of single-strength juice were reduced to one part of concentrate, determining the volume of water needed to reconstitute the product to its original strength.
In trade practice
Buyers use the concentration factor to calculate how much concentrate is needed to produce a given volume of reconstituted juice or to compare value between lots of differing Brix. Suppliers state the concentration factor on the certificate of analysis alongside the measured Brix. A common error is confusing the concentration factor with the Brix value itself; the two are related but not interchangeable, as Brix measures soluble solids while the concentration factor is calculated against a defined single-strength reference. Discrepancies arise when the reference single-strength Brix differs between supplier and buyer.
In a specification
Specifications and purchase contracts state the concentration factor as a ratio alongside the target Brix, with tolerances applied to the Brix measurement at intake.