Juicing isn’t just a passing health fad – it offers a quick and easy way to pack in your seven daily servings of fruit and vegetables. It also cuts out the energy-zapping digestion process of eating solid food and delivers a wealth of essential nutrients to the body instantly, speaking from juiceguru.com.
How to Juice
The first step to mastering juicing is to understand the basics. Essentially, juicing is the process of drinking your food. It’s an easy way to get all the nutrients of one apple, two carrots, three beets, ten strawberries, and half a bag of spinach in just one glass.
Typically, you’ll want to use fresh, organic fruits and vegetables for the best quality juices. When possible, try to buy locally-grown produce as it has less of an environmental impact. Ripe fruit and veggies will also taste better and are more easily absorbed into your system.
Before juicing, make sure to thoroughly wash your chosen ingredients. Scrub away any dirt, pesticides, or other debris, and be sure to remove any inedible seeds or pits (these can damage your juicer). For the most flavor and nutrition, peels can be left on as long as they aren’t tough like citrus peels. However, be careful when juicing any vegetable with a tough outer skin or stems such as kale, chard, and broccoli – these can be difficult to cut into smaller pieces and will add a strong flavor.
In general, it’s best to begin juicing leafy greens and soft vegetables before moving on to harder fruits and vegetables. This will help to ensure that you extract as much juice as possible without leaving too much pulp behind. To boost the nutritional value of your juices, try adding extras such as lemon or lime zest, honey, ginger, cayenne pepper, and a variety of herbs like basil and parsley.
It’s also important to keep in mind that certain foods shouldn’t be juiced (like bananas). Instead, they should be mashed up into smoothies or eaten whole. Bananas have a high sugar content and can cause blood sugar spikes in some people, so it’s best to limit them as much as possible.
Whether working from a recipe or using your creativity, there are endless ways to create a healthy and delicious juice. The key is to experiment with different combinations and find what works for you. As you become more experienced, you’ll be able to identify which fruits and vegetables give you the most juice, as well as which have the best flavor.
Recipes
Juicing is a great way to get a wide variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. The following healthy juicing recipes are great for anyone looking to lose weight, boost energy or just feel better in general.
If you’re a total foodie, juicing is the best way to turn everyday ingredients into delicious creations you’ll be proud to serve at brunch parties and dinner parties alike. The only thing that can be better than a fresh juice is one that you’ve created yourself, and this book will teach you how to do exactly that.
This beautiful and accessible cookbook has the perfect combination of recipes, nutrition facts and tips to give you the confidence to create any drink your heart desires. From cleansing greens to creamy fruit smoothies, this book has it all!
You’ll discover how to use a juicer like a pro and find your own unique balance of flavor combinations. It also offers a wide range of health benefits, including detoxifying the body and creating an alkaline state. It’s the ultimate guide to a healthier, more vibrant life.
Juicing for Health also shares inspiring personal anecdotes, including the author’s own triumphant struggle with cancer, which serves as a testament to its transformative power. It’s a must-have for any healthy-living bibliophile.
Some fruits and vegetables have a higher water content than others, which means they’ll yield more juice when used in the juicer. Cucumbers, for example, are hydrating and provide a mild and refreshing taste. Celery is a hydrating, low-glycemic vegetable with plenty of vitamins and minerals, and beets are a superfood that’s high in antioxidants and can help lower blood pressure.
These juices and smoothies are sure to keep you feeling full, energized, and healthy all day long. And they’re all delicious! So pick up a copy of Juicing for Health and get blending. You’ll be glad you did!
Equipment
Having the right equipment for your juice bar or smoothie shop can be a key factor to success. This includes both the commercial blenders and juicers that you need to make your refreshing drinks, as well as the food prep tools for washing, chopping and assembling the ingredients needed for each drink.
Juicing machines vary widely in size, power and functionality, but you should start by choosing a machine that will be appropriate for your business volume. For instance, if you’re a large-scale operation that will be processing hundreds of pounds of produce each day, consider investing in a centrifugal juicer with a larger capacity hopper that will handle multiple apples or other bulky items at once. The wattage of the juicer is also important to consider when purchasing one. Look for models with 1,000 watts or more, as these will be able to process hearty fruits and vegetables much faster than weaker models.
It’s also a good idea to invest in a few high-quality stainless steel prep tables for your juice bar. These will be used for both food preparation and serving drinks, so you want to choose a type of table that is strong enough to support the weight of your juicers and other equipment while still being easy to clean. You should also select a table that features ample storage space to keep your supplies organized and neat.
For a more portable option, you can opt for a countertop convection oven or combination oven to cook the food options you plan on offering at your juice bar. Hot sandwiches, pre-made pastries and wraps are common menu items that can be served alongside your fresh juices and smoothies.
If you’re just starting out, invest in a few quality kitchen knives to make the job of chopping and slicing fruits and vegetables easier. A Victorinox paring knife is a great choice, as it’s inexpensive, durable and has a sharp blade that will be able to easily cut through fruit skin and other soft vegetables with ease. You can also purchase a vegetable peeler that is easy to grip, and will allow you to remove the outermost layer of many types of vegetables with minimal effort.
Storage
A fresh, homemade juice has a short shelf life due to oxidation. It is best to drink your freshly prepared juice right away or within 24 – 48 hours after it’s been made. After that point, the vitamin content of the juice decreases significantly.
When juicing, it is also important to use fresh, high-quality produce and to clean all of your equipment thoroughly. If you’re starting with rotting or old produce, you won’t be able to get a good result from your juicer and your final product will not taste as delicious or have the same health benefits as fresh juice. Using the proper storage methods will also help to keep your juices as fresh as possible for as long as possible.
To extend the shelf life of your juices, you should always store them in an airtight container and refrigerate them in the refrigerator. The ideal temperature for storing a juice is 35°F to 45°F. Avoid putting your juices into the freezer or leaving them out at room temperature because they will spoil faster.
A common mistake people make when making their own juices is to overuse fruits, which can lead to high sugar content in the final beverage. A balance of 70% vegetables and 30% fruit is recommended to ensure that you are getting the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that your body needs from the juice. Additionally, it is advisable to use low-sugar fruits such as berries and apples, which provide natural sweetness to the juices.
One other important tip to remember when storing juice is to add a slice of citrus into the container. This will boost the vitamin C levels in the juice and reduce oxidation.
Juices can last up to three days if they are stored properly. If you’re planning to store your juices for a longer period of time, it’s recommended that you freeze them instead. Once they are frozen, you can thaw them in the refrigerator and enjoy them as needed. By following these simple tips, you can start to see the health and nutritional benefits of juicing while enjoying your favourite drinks.
