Juicing: The Basics

People have been making juice for centuries. Commercial fruit juices have eliminated the need for us to juice fruits and vegetables by hand. But in light of concerns about pesticides, preservatives and other issues with mass-produced food, juicing has experienced a resurgence in popularity.  For many people, juicing is a key part of a healthy diet.

Benefits of Juicing

By making your own juice, you control what goes into it. There are no hidden ingredients that may cause allergic reactions, and if you grow your own fruit or buy organic, you can ensure that there are no pesticides or growth hormones present. You can take comfort in knowing that your juice is just juice, and nothing more.

Fresh juice is very high in nutrients such as amino acids, minerals, enzymes and vitamins. These nutrients are not extracted and added back in, they occur in their natural state. This makes them more beneficial to us.

By volume, juice is higher in vitamins and other nutrients than the fruits or vegetables it comes from. To make one glass of carrot juice, we must juice about a pound of carrots. We couldn't eat that many carrots in one day, much less in a single sitting.

Getting Started

To get started juicing, you'll need a good juicer. There are several different types, each with its own benefits and shortcomings. Types of juicers include:

* Centrifugal juicers - This type of juicer uses a grater or shredder that revolves at a high speed. When the produce is added, it is shred up and the juice is released. The pulp is caught by a strainer, and the juice is captured in a container. These juicers are often hard to clean, and they create oxidation that can deplete nutrients over time.

* Masticating juicers - Masticating juicers use a slow-turning motor to grate the pulp, chew it up, and then press the juice out. They may be difficult to use, but they produce very little oxidation.

* Press juicers - These juicers shred or crush the produce and then press out the juice. They tend to make the most nutrient-rich juice.

Once you've chosen a juicer, it's time to try it out. Don't do anything too complicated at first. Start with a fruit that makes good juice on its own, such as apples, oranges or grapes. This will help you master the technique before trying recipes with multiple ingredients.

When you're comfortable using your juicer, seek out recipes that suit your tastes and purposes. There are recipes for juices that are good for the heart, skin, digestive tract, and even brain function. Juicers often come with recipe books, and you can also find lots of juice recipes online. You can create your own recipes as well.

Freshly made juice is a wonderful addition to our diets. It tastes great, and it packs loads of nutrition into a single glass. Once you try it, you'll see why store-bought juice just doesn't compare.