You may have noticed that Tropicana has a lot of competitors these days. Most of them are made by Simply Beverages company, also known as Simple Oranges. Both companies certainly have strong marketing methods that ensure you see their products on every shelf in every store. So it’s only natural to wonder: What’s the better juice?
We will be comparing these two popular juice brands so you can decide which one is best for you and how they are different.
What’s the Main Difference Between Tropicana and Simply Beverages?
The main difference between Tropicana and Simply Beverages is the taste. While both companies offer delicious juices that will make you feel refreshed after drinking them (or even just smelling them!), subtle differences between their overall flavor profiles may sway your decision for one over the other.
Tropicana is a more traditional orange juice with a bit of pulp mixed in. It has a sweeter flavor than Simply Orange Juice, and Tropicana is less acidic, so it’s a little easier on your stomach.
Simply Orange tastes more like fresh-squeezed orange juice, which means it has more pulp and more of an acidic bite to it. This option is probably your best bet if you want something with a stronger flavor profile.
Really, your best bet is to compare both oranges yourself to determine which option suits your taste buds more. Personal preference is the name of the game when it comes to food and drink options.
Tropicana
Tropicana is a famous brand of juice products that you can find on the shelves of grocery stores almost everywhere. It’s beloved for its simple, healthy ingredients and consistent quality.
Tropicana is owned by PepsiCo, but was founded in Bradenton, Florida, in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi. The company grew thanks rapidly to its innovative packaging techniques, and advertising campaigns—the famous commercial with the red-haired girl eating fruit is just one example of how Tropicana became a household name.
In August of last year, PAI Partners purchased all of Tropicana’s controlling shares along with other juice brands for $3.3 billion. As part of this sale, PepsiCo will still own a minority share in Tropicana and continue to produce the brand’s juices and smoothies. But if you want to see what happens next with this famous juice brand, keep an eye out for updates from PAI Partners.
Where Does Tropicana Orange Juice Come From?
The oranges in Tropicana orange juice come from the US. However, the most significant supply comes from Florida, where more than hundreds of growers and family-owned farm groves supply the brand with Valencia oranges and other varieties.
The state of Florida is located at the tip of the Southeastern United States, and it’s known for its warm weather and sandy beaches. It’s also home to a thriving agricultural industry that produces an abundance of fruits and vegetables—including fresh-squeezed orange juice!
What Products Does Tropicana Offer?
Several products are available from the Tropicana brand if you want something specific to your tastes or nutritional needs. The brand’s product line is diverse, offering a wide range of juices, including 100% juice blends, fruit-specific blends, and smoothies. Here’s a deeper look at each one.
Tropicana Pure Premium Line
Tropicana Pure Premium is Tropicana’s premium line of juices. It consists of 11 unique variants, including pulp and no pulp options. In addition, this line features a wide range of flavors that are all 100% juice and contain no artificial sweeteners or flavors. While this line is more expensive than the other lines offered by Tropicana, it is still affordable and has won numerous awards for its taste.
Products Included in Tropicana Pure Premium Line:
- Original (No Pulp)
- HomeStyle (Some Pulp)
- Grovestand (Lots of Pulp)
- Calcium + Vitamin D (With and Without Pulp)
- Low Acid
- Healthy Heart
- Vitamin C + Zinc (No Pulp)
- Orange Tangerine
- Orange Pineapple
- Red Grapefruit
Tropicana Premium Drinks
Tropicana Premium Drinks come in 13 unique flavors and range from healthy to indulgent. In addition, the line includes beverages that contain no added sugar and those that have been sweetened with cane sugar.
They’re also gluten-free and vegan and contain no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or flavors. Instead, each flavor has its unique blend of fruits to offer something delicious, nutritious, and refreshing.
Products Included in Tropicana Premium Drinks:
- Peachy Pineapple Paradise
- Tropical Sunrise Light
- Berry Colada Light
- Pineapple Mango Splash
- Caribbean Sunset
- Piña Colada
- Strawberry Kiwi Sunrise
- Summer Berry Bliss
- Watermelon Breeze
- Island Punch
- Strawberry Peach Paradise
- Lively Lemonade
- Refreshingly Raspberry Lemonade
Trop50
Trop50 is one of the healthier versions of the brand’s lineup. It contains 50% less sugar and calories than regular orange juice, so it’s perfect for those looking to make a healthier choice. It also offers four flavors.
Products Included in Trop50 Line:
- No Pulp
- No Pulp Calcium + Vitamin D
- Some Pulp
- Vitamin C + Zinc
Tropicana Drinks
The Tropicana Drinks Line is a collection of three different but impressive variants. These products are intended for use in the preparation of mixed drinks, cocktails, and other beverages. They are also suitable for use as an ingredient in recipes that call for juice or fruit juice.
Products Included in Tropicana Drinks:
- Apple
- Grape
- Cranberry
Tropicana Tropics
When you need a drink on the go, Tropicana Tropics is a perfect choice. These convenient single-serve packs are made of 100% juice blend and are the perfect way to start your day when you’re in a rush!
Each pack contains just 210 calories and has no artificial sweeteners or flavors, making it the ideal snack or meal replacement when you need an energy boost without guilt.
Products Included in Tropicana Tropics:
- Orange Peach Mango
- Orange Strawberry Banana
Tropicana Single Bottles
Tropicana Single Bottle offers a variety of flavors to suit your taste. It has 11 different variants, including orange, peach, and strawberry. Some variants in this line – like the Strawberry Kiwi Juice Blend – contain 100 percent pure juice, while the others deliver 100% vitamin C richness. You can choose from one-, two- or three-liter bottles depending on your needs.
Products Included in Tropicana Single Bottle Line:
- 100% Orange Juice
- 100% Apple Juice
- 100% Grapefruit Juice
- 100% Juice – Strawberry Kiwi Juice Blend
- Ruby Red Grapefruit
- Cranberry
- Grape
- Pineapple Orange
- 100% Strawberry Orange
- 100% Fruit Medley
- 100% Juice – Ruby Red Grapefruit Juice Blend
What is Tropicana Crunch Cereal?
Tropicana Crunch Cereal is a delicious, crunchy cereal made with whole grains and dried fruit that’s sure to wake up your taste buds in the morning. It’s also excellent calcium and vitamin D source, so you can feel good about making it part of your breakfast routine.
The crunchy clusters are made of corn, oats, wheat flakes, sweetened shredded coconut, and the perfect amount of salt. It’s sweet and crunchy, with a hint of saltiness from the almonds. It’s light and airy but still filling enough to make you feel satisfied. The cereal is down to be drowned in OJ, but we don’t recommend it unless that’s something you fancy.
Read our guide here to learn more information about the cereal and to see if it’s still available.
Simply Orange Juice Company/Simply Beverages
In 2001, the Simply Orange Juice Company, founded by Minute Maid, would go on to create a new brand known as Simply Beverages. In 2003, the company was able to achieve national coverage with its products, reaching all 50 states within one year, and has since become one of the most well-known brands in the beverage industry.
Simply Beverages is based out of Apopka, Florida, and is owned by Coca-Cola. The company produces many different types of juices, including orange juice, that can be classified as “not-from-concentrate,” which is popular among consumers.
The brand has been growing steadily since its inception and today offers many different flavors of not-from-concentrate orange juices and a variety of other juice drinks. It also sells a wide variety of single-serving beverages in convenient packages that are perfect for on-the-go people who want to stay hydrated but don’t always have time to stop at a store or make their own drinks at home.
Where Do Simply Beverages Come From?
Simply Beverages’ smoothies, beverages, and juice drinks are made with a unique blend of natural ingredients that are delicious and good for you. The company sources its input from all over the world — including Brazil and Mexico — but primarily from the United States.
The company purchases its orange juice directly from farmers and other growers in these Florida and these other locations to ensure they are able to get the highest quality of the product. This is done at different times of the year to access as much “in season” juice as possible for the best results.
What Products Does Simply Offer?
Simply Beverages offers a lot of different kinds of juice, but you might be wondering which ones are the best. Here’s a detailed look at their complete juice lineup.
Simply Orange
Simply Orange is one of the most popular drinks in the Simply Beverages line. If you’re looking for a citrus juice that’s not as sweet as Tropicana, Simply Orange is the way to go. It’s made from freshly squeezed oranges and has no added sugar or artificial flavors.
The variety pack includes seven unique varieties—from apple juice to grapefruit juice—so you can mix it up and try something new every time you reach for a glass of juice.
Products Included in the Simply Orange Line:
- Pulp Free
- Low Acid
- Calcium & Vitamin D (No pulp or Medium pulp)
- High Pulp
- With Mango
- With Pineapple
Simply Lemonade
If you love the taste of freshly squeezed lemons in your lemonade but don’t want to add unnecessary preservatives and other chemicals to your drink, then Simply Lemonade is one to try. It’s made with real lemons, so it’s always naturally sweetened and has no added preservatives, colors, or artificial flavors.
There are four unique varieties, so whether you’re looking for something refreshing on a hot summer day or something sweet to enjoy after dinner, there’s a Simply Lemonade flavor that’s sure to satisfy.
Products Included in the Simply Lemonade Line:
- Lemonade
- Lemonade With Raspberry
- Lemonade With Blueberry
- Lemonade With Strawberry
Simply Light
Simply Light is a delicious blend of fruit juices and other natural flavors made with a splash of sparkling water. Simply Light has 50% less sugar than regular juice drinks and only 50 calories per 8 fl oz serving.
Simply Light has no artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup, or preservatives. As a result, it’s perfect for people who want to enjoy the benefits of drinking juice without the extra calories – or those who are watching their weight.
Products Included in the Simply Light Line:
- Light Orange Pulp Free
- Light Calcium & Vitamin D
- Light Lemonade
- Light Lemonade with Raspberry
Simply Alternative Dairy
The Simply Alternative Dairy line is specifically designed for those who need to avoid dairy products because of allergies or other health concerns. This line of SImply’s products uses plant-based milk instead of regular dairy milk.
No added colors or preservatives exist in any Simply Alternative Dairy product, so they don’t have any chemicals that would cause an allergic reaction if consumed by someone sensitive to dairy products.
These reactions could be anything from lactose intolerance to other related but less common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Products Included in the Simply Alternative Dairy:
- Simply Oat Original
- Simply Oat Vanilla
- Simply Almond Unsweetened Original
- Simply Almond Original
- Simply Almond Vanilla
- Simply Almond Unsweetened Vanilla
Simply Smoothie
Simply Smoothie fruit smoothies contain no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, making them an excellent option for those looking for a healthier alternative to juice or soda. They also offer more fiber and protein than most other smoothies today, which means they will keep you full longer without feeling hungry all day long.
Each 12-oz bottle has only 180 calories and contains a full serving of fruit – including 2-3 servings per bottle depending on the flavor.
Products Included in the Simply Smoothie Line:
- Strawberry Banana
- Orchard Berry
- Mango Pineapple
Simply Juices and Drinks
Simply Juices and Drinks is a line of eight unique varieties of 100% juice beverages made with real fruit juice and all-natural ingredients. They’re made from natural fruit and come in convenient single-serve bottles that are great for on-the-go snacking and drinks, so it’s easy to find one that fits your lifestyle no matter how busy or adventurous you are.
Products Included in the Simply Smoothie Line:
- Fruit Punch
- Tropical
- Peach
- Watermelon
- Apple
- Cranberry
- Grapefruit
- Limeade
Tropicana VS Simply Orange Questions:
Which Company Has More Juice Options?
Both Tropicana and Simply Orange offer various flavors, including orange, lemonade, strawberry, and peach. But in terms of quantity, Tropicana is the clear winner. The company offers over 40 varieties of juices, while Simply Orange only has less than 40.
Which Orange Juice Lasts Longer?
Tropicana and Simply Orange are both shelf stable for about one year and have a shelf life of about two weeks after opening, so that they will last the same amount of time. However, if you want to keep your orange juice for longer, you should store it in the fridge. The refrigeration doesn’t change the flavor or texture of your juice, but it will keep it fresher for longer.
Which Orange Juice is More Affordable?
This question isn’t an easy one to answer. There are so many different varieties of Tropicana and Simply Orange, some with added vitamins or natural flavors, that it can be hard to compare them all.
When comparing current prices of a 52 oz of original orange juice from both companies they are the eact same price, well one cent in the difference. So really this decision would come down to personal preference or if one happened to be on sale.
The larger size juices you buy for each do cost less in terms of cost per ounce.
When comparing the single size drinks, Simply Orange 11.5 oz bottle costs less than the Tropicana 12 oz bottle. The Simply Orange drink is 14.6c per oz while Tropicana is 15.5c per once.
Overall, they are price similarly, specialty drinks will often be more for both. Do a local comparison to finalize your prices of each to determine if one or the other is more affordable in your location.
Which Juice Has More Vitamins?
Simply Orange has more vitamins than Tropicana, but not by much. Both juices also contain vitamin A, folate, calcium, and other vitamins in certain products. In addition, neither juice contains added sugar or artificial sweeteners, so they’re both excellent choices for people who want to avoid processed sugars in their diet.
Which Juice Company Sells More Globally?
Tropicana is sold in more countries than Simply Orange. Tropicana is available in more than 100 countries worldwide, while Simply Orange is only sold in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Which Juice Bottles Are Better for the Environment?
Both Tropicana and Simply Orange use recyclable plastic bottles for their products. Tropicana also offers a glass bottle option for those who want to avoid plastic entirely.
While neither company has made any official statements about whether or not their packaging is environmentally friendly, it’s safe to say that both brands take steps to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible without sacrificing quality or taste.
Does Tropicana Orange Juice or Simply Orange Have More Calories?
Tropicana has fewer calories, with 110 calories per serving. However, this quantity is in comparison to Simply Orange’s 120 calories per serving. So, if you’re watching your waistline, this may be a consideration for you.
Final Thoughts
In the end, both of these juices are very similar. But if you’re looking for something with a stronger orange flavor, you might want to consider Simply Orange. On the other hand, if you want your orange juice to be sweeter and taste more like an orange-flavored dessert than actual fruit, you should probably go with Tropicana.
Test them yourself, that is my recommendation if you are wondering about what flavor is best. I hope you enjoyed my detailed comparison article of these juices!