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Let’s face it. We all love fresh-squeezed orange juice. Nothing beats it. This wonderful citrus fruit lures you in and makes your mouth watery, plus it has a host of vitamins, healthy carbohydrates and is great for cholesterol. The best part is that orange juice doesn’t have a time restriction which means you can enjoy it as you please.
If you have an electric juicer such as a masticating juicer or a centrifugal juicer, you might be curious as to how you can make it from the comfort of your home. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, you’ll learn about how to juice oranges and make delicious homemade orange juice.
Is Orange Juice Healthy?
There’s no denying that oranges usher in numerous health benefits. Most people know that this zesty fruit is rich in vitamin C that boosts immunity, supports bone formation, healthy gums, and wound healing. One medium cup of orange juice contains nearly 100% of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C. Nevertheless, it’s also rich in other minerals and vitamins such as iron, Vitamin A, folate, and calcium.
Meanwhile, potassium helps lower the risk of heart disease, bone loss, and strokes. Furthermore, it helps regulate blood pressure while diminishing the risk of kidney stones. Folate is particularly important for pregnant women as it lowers the likelihood of birth defects, and orange juice is a rich source.
Even better, orange juice is rich in antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties and can help prevent chronic conditions and fight cancer-causing free radicals. The only downside to consuming orange juice or large quantities of fruit juice is the level of natural sugars in the juice.
How to Juice Oranges with a Juicer
To get started, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Wash them
Start by washing the oranges with water and mild dish soap to get rid of any dirt and chemicals used to preserve them.
Step 2: Slice them
Slice the oranges into two halves.
Step 3: Deseed them
Remove the seeds from the oranges before you put them in the juicer. It’s an important step.
Step 4: Separate the Segments
Once you’ve removed all the seeds, it’s time to remove the orange peels and separate the segments.
Step 5: Turn on the Juicer
Plug in the juicer and begin the grind.
Step 6: Add the Segments
Add a few orange segments concurrently inside the juicer.
Step 7: Add Water
Pour ½ cup of water into the juicer to make the blending process a breeze.
Step 8: Shut the Lid
Now close the lid and begin the juicing process.
Step 9: Transfer
Once your orange juice is ready, it’s time to transfer it into a strainer or vessel.
Step 10: Strain
Strain the juice in a way that it only enters the glass.
Step 11: Enjoy
You can revel in your orange juice while catching up on your favourite flavour.
How Much Juice Can You Extract From an Orange?
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One orange generates 2 ounces of juice that translates to 4 tablespoons. Nonetheless, the amount varies depending on the size and type of orange that you use. To fill a standard juicer container, you’ll need 26 to 28 oranges.
Types of Oranges
Your juice taste may vary based on the type of orange you use to make it. There are various orange juice recipes, each differing in taste and purpose. For instance, Valencia oranges are perfect for juicing whereas their Navel counterparts are best suited for eating whole.
It’s the most popularly preferred type of orange for eating and is easily available. Navel oranges are larger and have thicker skin compared to other types.
Blood
The bizarre name stems from the fact that it’s one of the juiciest oranges in the citrus family. Blood oranges have dark red flesh. The juice extracted from it is also red.
Valencia
These oranges have thick skin but aren’t like navels. Valencia oranges contain multiple seeds, so you need to pick them out carefully before juicing.
Tangerine
These are sweeter and smaller compared to other oranges. Their thin skin makes it a breeze to peel off and extract the juice.
Clementine
These oranges are seedless and small. Also known as cuties, they are perfect for snacks.
Mandarin
These are easy to peel, smaller, and sweeter. Mandarins belong to the same citrus family as Clementine and tangerine.
Mixing Milk with Orange Juice
You can mix milk with orange juice to enhance the flavour. Although many people do so, it’s worth keeping in mind that mixing these two beverages can affect digestion. Whole milk takes a while to digest due to the high protein, orange juice is digested quickly despite being acidic. As a result, you might get curdles in your stomach. Nevertheless, drinking milk alone also has the same outcome.
If you feel sick after mixing milk and orange juice, that might be because of your digestion. Here’s how to mix milk with orange juice.
- Take 4 cups of evaporated milk
- 2 teaspoons of clear vanilla extract
- ¾ cup of sugar (or a sweetener alternative)
- 2½ cups of freshly juiced orange juice
- 2 cups of ice cubes
FAQ
Let’s discuss the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions regarding juicing oranges.
1. What’s the best way to store fresh orange juice?
It’s best to consume freshly squeezed orange juice immediately to get the most benefits. Nevertheless, you can store any leftovers in an airtight glass container in the fridge for a maximum of 3 days.
2. What should you do with the leftover pulp?
Once you’ve juiced your oranges, freeze the orange pulp into an ice-cube tray for future use in baked goods or smoothies. Alternatively, the pulp can be used as compost.
3. What should you do with leftover orange peels?
You can zest part of the peels to infuse in lemonades, flavour teas, and dishes. Alternatively, you have free rein to make candies from the peels or if they’re in tiptop condition, they can come in handy in making orange candles. Additionally, you can use the leftover peels to make eco-friendly multi-purpose citrus cleaner.
4. Is orange juice ideal for a cold?
Yes! It’s rich in vitamin C that boosts the immune system, reducing the length and symptoms of a cold.
5. Can you freeze orange juice?
Yes! Frozen orange juice can last anywhere between 3 and 4 months. You can freeze it in XL ice cubes for portion control and easy thawing.
6. Which are the best oranges to juice?
When making orange juice at home, you can try out various types of oranges. Great options range from Valencia, Clementine, and tangerines to navel oranges. You can also juice blood oranges when they are in season. No type of orange is the best. It all boils down to their price, availability, and preference. Keep in mind that navel orange juice can have a bitter taste if not consumed immediately. However, it’s frequently regarded as one of the tastiest oranges.
Conclusion
Orange juice ushers in freshness and other perks that might come in handy in boosting your health and overall wellbeing. Now that you know how to juice oranges with a juicer, it’s a straightforward process that requires minimal effort. It can also be a nice treat when you’re hosting family and friends.
