Taste-Off: Ranking 12 pineapple juice brands from refreshing to overcooked

Of all the tropical juices — mango, papaya, guava, and passion fruit — the most versatile and widely available is pineapple. Sweet, tart, citrusy and golden yellow, pineapple juice is delicious straight up and is a go-to for cocktails and mocktails.

With so many choices on store shelves — including some priced at more than $10 a quart — we decided to round up bottles, cans and jars for a taste test. We found a few options in the refrigerated section, but most were located on the shelf-stable juice aisle.

Among the things we learned is that all but a few pineapple juices are made from concentrate, and the less expensive brands tend to contain added ascorbic acid or pectin.

A quick note for those who reach for pineapple juice because it contains bromelain: Only juices that are cold-pressed and high-pressure processed (HPP) retain that compound, as traditional heat pasteurization deactivates it. Look for “cold-pressed” and “HPP” on the label.

The flavor of pineapple juice varies depending on the type and ripeness of the fruit and how long it is heated during the canning process. The best pineapple for canning is the MD2, a super-sweet, low-acid variety commonly grown in Costa Rica, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and the Philippines. Maui Gold pineapples from Hawaii share these same flavor notes.

Good pineapple juice is golden yellow and velvety smooth. It is always sweet, but it also has a bright punch of acidity that livens the flavor, making each sip refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Bad pineapple juice tastes like old, stewed pineapple or is so overwhelmed with added acidic ingredients that it tastes sour. The worst are brown, cloying liquids that are so overcooked they taste like baby food.

Here are details on the bright, sunshine-in-a-glass pineapple juices, as well as the murky brown juices to leave on the shelf. Nutrition information refers to an 8-ounce serving.

Lakewood Organic Pure Pineapple Juice

This tastes like a slice of super-ripe, extra-sweet pineapple. It’s fresh and sweet and has enough pineapple pulp to provide a smooth mouthfeel. 130 calories, 5 milligrams sodium, 31 grams sugar. $10.79 for a quart at Whole Foods. (4 stars)

Renew Purely Organic Pineapple

This extra-viscous juice uses both fresh-pressed juice and expertly processed concentrate to deliver a blast of pineapple flavor and a luscious balance of sweetness and acidity. 130 calories, 5 milligrams sodium, 26 grams sugar. $8.99 for a quart at Safeway. (4 stars)

RW Knudsen Organic Just Pineapple

While fresh and bright, this juice smells and tastes very much like apple juice. Using slightly riper pineapple would push this juice to the top. 130 calories, 10 milligrams sodium, 25 grams sugar. $6.49 for a quart at Whole Foods. (3 1/2 stars)

Trader Joe’s Pineapple Juice

Those looking for a nice juice for cocktails will appreciate this minimally sweet option found in the refrigerator section. It’s beautiful in the glass and a solid choice. 120 calories, 0 milligrams sodium, 28 grams sugar, 1 gram protein. $5.99 for a 52-ounce carton. (3 stars)

Raley’s Pineapple Juice

For a budget-priced, fully pasteurized juice, this is OK. It has a distinctly cooked flavor but still delivers an enjoyable blast of pineapple. 130 calories, 30 milligrams sodium, 33 grams sugar. $6.89 for 64 ounces. (2 1/2 stars)

Dole 100% Juice Pineapple

This iconic juice has a huge pineapple aroma and flavor, but the container is a serious letdown. If left in an open can overnight, the flavor turns tinny and unpleasant. 132 calories, 0 milligrams sodium, 32 grams sugar. $4.99 for a six-pack of 6-ounce cans. (2 stars)

Trader Joe’s Cold-Pressed Pineapple Juice

Fans of fresh pineapple may appreciate this, as it tastes like freshly sliced fruit. Sadly, it also has an earthy note, as if the peels weren’t fully removed before pressing. 120 calories, 0 milligrams sodium, 27 grams sugar, 1 gram protein. $3.49 for 12 ounces. (2 stars)

Simply Pineapple Juice Drink

Calling this pineapple juice is misleading. It’s enjoyable, but it’s a juice blend, and pineapple isn’t even the dominant flavor. 90 calories, 15 milligrams sodium, 22 grams sugar. $2.99 for 52 ounces at Target. (1 1/2 stars)

Trader Joe’s 100% Pineapple Juice

Love the look of these cans, but save this for those who aren’t sure they actually like pineapple. It’s so watery that it serves more as a sweetener than as true pineapple juice. 110 calories, 35 milligrams sodium, 25 grams sugar. $3.99 for four 8.45-ounce cans. (1 star)

Signature Select 100 % Juice Pineapple

As a breakfast juice, this overprocessed product is a poor choice, but it would be OK to use in punch. 130 calories, 30 milligrams sodium, 32 grams sugar. $3.79 for 64 ounces at Safeway. (1 star)

Langers Pineapple Juice

What a disappointing juice. This murky pour is decidedly brown and so heavily doctored with vitamin C and pectin that the flavor of pineapple is barely detectable. 130 calories, 15 milligrams sodium, 30 grams sugar. $5.99 for 64 ounces at Safeway. (1/2 star)

Market Pantry Pineapple Juice

Not only is this overcooked, but it also tastes as though it was made with old, nearly rotten fruit. 130 calories, 30 milligrams sodium, 33 grams sugar. $4.49 for 64 ounces at Target. (no stars)

Reviews are based on product samples purchased by this newspaper or provided by manufacturers. Contact Jolene Thym at [email protected]. Read more Taste-Off columns at www.mercurynews.com/tag/taste-off.