How do you cover up the taste of prune juice?

Introduction

Prune juice is made from dried plums, which contain high amounts of fiber and sorbitol. While prune juice offers many potential health benefits, like helping with constipation or lowering cholesterol, many find its taste to be unpalatable. The strong, bitter flavor can be off-putting to some people. Luckily, there are several methods you can use to disguise or cover up the taste of prune juice.

Why Drink Prune Juice?

Before covering up the flavor, it’s important to understand the benefits of drinking prune juice. Here are some of the main reasons people choose to drink prune juice even though they may not enjoy the taste:

• Relieves constipation – Prune juice contains sorbitol, a natural laxative that helps stimulate bowel movements.
• Improves regularity – The fiber and fluids in prune juice can help promote regular bowel movements.
• Supports heart health – Prune juice contains antioxidants that may help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.
• Aids digestion – Fermentable fibers in prune juice can act as prebiotics to feed healthy gut bacteria.
• Provides nutrients – Prune juice offers a concentrated source of nutrients like vitamin K, manganese, and potassium.

So while the flavor may be unpleasant, there are ample reasons to include prune juice in your diet. Now let’s explore some ways to make this healthy beverage more palatable.

Mix with Other Juices or Liquids

One of the easiest ways to mask the strong taste of prune juice is to dilute it by mixing it with other juices or liquids. This cuts down on the intensity while still retaining some nutritional benefit. Here are some mixing ideas:

• Apple juice – The sweetness helps counteract the bitterness. Aim for equal parts apple juice and prune juice.
• Orange juice – Adds a tangy, citrusy flavor. Use 2 parts OJ to 1 part prune juice.
• Cranberry juice – The tartness helps cut through the prune flavor. Mix with an equal amount.
• Grape juice – The concord grape flavor combines nicely with prunes. Use a 2:1 grape to prune ratio.
• Tea – For a morning beverage, mix prune juice with green, black, or herbal tea.
• Milk – Dairy milk neutralizes some of the bitterness. Mix 1/4 cup prune juice into 1 cup milk.
• Yogurt smoothies – Blend prune juice with yogurt and frozen fruit for a creamy, chilled smoothie.

When mixing prune juice with other juices, adjust the proportions until you find a blend that suits your tastes. Diluting it can make it much more palatable.

Add Sweeteners or Flavorings

You can also liven up plain prune juice by adding natural sweeteners, spices, or other flavorings:

• Honey – A teaspoon of honey complements the prune flavor while reducing bitterness.
• Brown sugar – A half teaspoon adds sweetness and a slight caramel taste.
• Cinnamon – A sprinkle of cinnamon adds warmth and vibrancy.
• Nutmeg – A dash of this spice can enhance the natural fruit flavors.
• Vanilla extract – Add a few drops to make it taste more like prunes baked into dessert.
• Lemon juice – A teaspoon or two provides some zesty citrus notes.
• Ginger – Fresh grated ginger or a pinch of ground ginger adds a little kick.

Be careful not to overdo it on sweeteners or you’ll undermine the health benefits of the prune juice. But a little sweetness or spice can make a big difference.

Chill Thoroughly

Temperature can affect taste – serving prune juice chilled straight from the refrigerator can make it more refreshing and palatable. The cold helps mute some of the bitterness. Pour juice into a pitcher and refrigerate overnight before drinking. Add ice cubes just before serving as well.

Try Prune Juice Concentrate

Another option is to drink prune juice concentrate instead of ready-to-drink prune juice. Concentrate has had most of the water removed, leaving behind a thicker, more intense juice. Here’s how it compares:

Type	Prune Content	Taste	Uses
Ready-to-Drink	25-50%	Mild	Drink straight or diluted
Concentrate	60-70%	Strong	Add small amounts to recipes

The concentrate form allows you to have full control over flavor. Add just a teaspoon or two to a smoothie, oatmeal, or other food so you get a nutritional boost without overpowering the dish.

Disguise in Recipes

Incorporating small amounts of prune juice into recipes is an easy way to disguise the taste. Here are some recipe ideas that use prune juice:

• Oatmeal – Add 2-3 tablespoons prune juice per serving for extra fiber and nutrients.
• Pancakes or waffles – Swap in 1/4 cup prune juice instead of other liquids like milk or water.
• Muffins or quick breads – Replace 1/4 of the oil or butter with prune juice.
• Brownies – Substitute 1/4 cup prune juice for part of the oil to make them extra moist.
• Smoothies – Blend 2-3 tablespoons prune juice with yogurt, fruit, and ice for a nutrient boost.
• Overnight oats – Soak oats in a mixture of milk and 2-3 tablespoons prune juice.

The small amounts mix in seamlessly with the other ingredients so you get just a hint of prune flavor. This is an easy way to incorporate the nutrients found in prunes.

Make Prune Juice Popsicles

For a refreshing summer treat, try freezing prune juice into popsicles. Mix prune juice with a larger amount of a fruit juice like orange or apple to create a sweet, icy popsicle. You can also blend prune juice with yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit before freezing for a creamy, nutritious faux ice cream bar. The freezing helps dull the bitter notes.

Other Taste-Masking Tips

Here are a few more miscellaneous tips for making prune juice taste better:

• Hold your nose while drinking to blunt the flavor.
• Use a straw to bypass taste buds on your tongue.
• Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after drinking.
• Add a few drops of lemon essential oil to your glass for a citrusy aroma.
• Drink prune juice fast so you taste it less.
• Follow with something sweet like fruit to counter the bitter aftertaste.

While these won’t change the flavor itself, they can help minimize the unpleasant taste.

Conclusion

Prune juice doesn’t have to taste bad. With a few tweaks and tricks, you can make this super healthy beverage much more palatable. Mix it with other juices or sweeter ingredients, add spices and flavorings, chill it well, blend it into recipes, or freeze into popsicles. With a little creativity, you can find a way to make prune juice taste good while still getting all those digestive and nutritional benefits. Focus on the positives of nourishing your body, not the temporary unpleasantness of the flavor.