Minute Maid began as a juice company founded by Anthony Rossi in 1946.
Rossi developed a process for producing frozen concentrated orange juice, making it easier to store and distribute than fresh juice. The product helped transform orange juice from a seasonal or local drink into a convenient household beverage.
The company originally operated under the name Vacuum Foods before adopting the Minute Maid brand. Coca-Cola acquired Minute Maid in 1960, adding a major juice business to its soft-drink portfolio.
Minute Maid is often confused with Simply, another Coca-Cola juice brand introduced much later. Minute Maid’s historical significance lies in its frozen-concentrate technology and its role in Coca-Cola’s expansion beyond carbonated beverages.