Natural fruit and vegetable juices: How to quickly prepare them in the comfort of your home

What advantages does a juicer offer you?

An efficient juicer extracts delicious juice from fruits and vegetables, up to 95%. Depending on the chosen model, the juicer can also keep the fruit pulp, providing a great intake of fiber, enzymes, and antioxidants.

Natural juice obtained from a juicer can be offered to children and is always appreciated at breakfast. If you are a cocktail and long drink fan, it is ideal to have at home, next to your  cocktail shaker,  a juicer or a manual or electric juicer.

What criteria should you take into account when choosing a juicer?

When it comes to juicers or natural juices, orange juice is the undisputed Olympic champion. While citrus juicers are the most popular - even in cooking and dessert preparation - it is important not to forget that we can just as easily prepare vegetable juices - tomatoes, celery, beet - and various fruit juices: apples, pears, grapes, kiwi, pomegranate, etc. Keep the following tips in mind to make it easier for you to choose a fruit and/or vegetable juicer that suits your tastes and interests.

Juicing technology

Most electric juicers use a centrifuge system, where a rotating disc separates juice from pulp. Manual juicers and Slow Juicers use manual pressure or a slow juicing mechanism, such as cold press juicing.

Quality of the extracted juice

If you prioritize the nutritional value of juice, the manual cold press method and slow juicer machines are the best choice. Centrifugal juicers - also known as Fast Juicers - are a faster and more efficient way to enjoy fresh juice, but with a compromise in terms of nutrients.

Compatible ingredients

If you are a true fan of citrus juices and pomegranate juice, choose a solid and robust juicer with a cast iron structure such as the Zokura juicer. You will not regret your choice - it is a durable product, easy to use and easy to clean.

If you want juices from vegetables or multiple types of fruits - not just citrus - opt for a multifunctional electric juicer or a slow juicer. Whether you make pineapple juice, celery juice, or kale leaf juice, it efficiently separates pulp from juice and ensures a large amount of natural juice in a very short time.

Do not think for a moment about throwing away the remaining pulp. You can turn it into fruit bars or add it to various desserts and cake batters. Vegetable pulp is used for sauces or vegetarian burgers.

Another essential category in the world of kitchen juicers is the electric tomato juicers - so necessary for making canned broth and tomato paste.

Ease of cleaning

If you do not know which fruit juicer to buy, cleaning is your last worry. The job is usually quick and effortless. Electric juicers have the advantage of splashing less. The slow juicer is made of several detachable components and this may seem disadvantageous, but they can usually be cleaned in the dishwasher. Manual juicers can often be cleaned with a damp kitchen towel.

The noise level

Planning to juice fruits and vegetables in the early morning hours, when the whole family is sleeping? You can use a manual juicer - the least noisy option - but keep in mind that modern electric juicers also operate quite quietly. Before buying an electric juicer, check the decibel level it produces and guide yourself by these estimated values:

• Below 50 dB: very quiet.
• 50 - 60 fB: low noise, similar to background noise in a library.
• 60 - 70 dB: moderate noise, similar to a dishwasher.
• Above 70 dB: more intense noise, not recommended in quiet environments or in mornings when you want your loved ones to sleep longer. 😊

What are the benefits of natural juices?

Homemade natural juices bring incomparable benefits compared to store-bought juices. Here are some examples:

• They are rich in antioxidants from fresh fruits and vegetables, which help fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• 100% natural ingredients, without additives or preservatives, rich in vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
• Fresh taste and intense aroma.
• They are a way of hydration for those who have difficulty drinking enough water. In particular, cucumber juice or watermelon juice effectively refresh fluids and electrolytes.
• They are a practical solution to increase vegetable intake, especially for those who do not prefer them as such, such as children or picky eaters.
• Rich in vitamin C and other nutrients that boost immunity, natural juices help strengthen the immune system.

Tips for making fruit and vegetable juices

• 1. Make sure you choose fruits and vegetables in good condition, fresh and well ripened, to benefit from maximum taste and nutrients. Wash them very well.
• 2. Remove inedible peels (from oranges, pineapple, etc.), but keep edible peels from apples, pears, kiwi, or cucumbers for more fiber and nutrients.
• 3. If you are concerned about weight loss, follow the 80/20 rule: natural juice should contain 80% vegetables (or green leaves) and 20% fruit. This ratio maximizes nutritional value, reduces sugar content, and supports weight loss.
• 4. For children and more picky juice consumers, you can integrate greens, carrots, or celery into delicious fruit juices to mask stronger flavors.
• 5. Add ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, and citrus fruits to fight inflammation and improve immunity. Ginger can also support digestion and reduce bloating, as do lemon and mint also.
• 6. Drink vegetable and fruit juices immediately after preparing them or store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a maximum of 24 hours.