Are you looking to venture into the world of juicing but feeling a bit overwhelmed by the myriad of juicer options available? Don't worry; we've got you covered! Let's delve into the basics of juicing equipment to help you make an informed decision.
Centrifugal Juicers:
Centrifugal juicers are the go-to choice for many due to their affordability and user-friendly design. These juicers operate at high speeds, swiftly extracting juice from fruits and vegetables. They're ideal for those who value speed and convenience in their juicing process.
Pros:
- Fast operation: Centrifugal juicers work at high speeds, making the juicing process quick and efficient.
- Affordable: They are generally more budget-friendly compared to masticating juicers.
- Easy to use: With simple operation and minimal setup, centrifugal juicers are great for beginners.
Cons:
- Oxidation: The high-speed spinning of centrifugal juicers can lead to increased oxidation, resulting in faster breakdown of juice nutrients.
- Noisy: The rapid spinning motion can generate considerable noise, which may be a concern for some users.
- Foam production: Centrifugal juicers tend to produce foam in the juice, which may not be preferred by some.
Masticating Juicers:
Masticating juicers, also known as cold-press juicers, operate at slower speeds and utilise a chewing or grinding mechanism to extract juice. While they come with a higher price tag, they offer several benefits for juicing enthusiasts.
Pros:
- High juice quality: Masticating juicers produce juice with minimal oxidation, preserving nutrients and enzymes for longer shelf life.
- Quiet operation: The slower extraction process results in quieter operation compared to centrifugal juicers.
- Juice longevity: Juice extracted from masticating juicers can be stored for up to three days without significant nutrient loss.
- Efficient juicing of leafy greens: Masticating juicers excel at juicing leafy greens, making them a preferred choice for health-conscious individuals.
Cons:
- Higher cost: Masticating juicers are typically more expensive than centrifugal juicers, making them a bigger investment.
- Longer juicing time: The slower extraction process means it takes more time to produce juice compared to centrifugal juicers.
- More prep required: Produce may need to be chopped into smaller pieces to fit into the juicer's narrow feeding chute.
Citrus Juicers/Press:
A citrus press is worth looking into if you are big on fresh citrus juice. Fruit & veggie juicers obviously take a lot longer to use. But if you are looking to make more than just a few ounces of citrus juice on a regular basis, then I recommend you invest in an electrical citrus juicer or citrus press.
Electric Citrus Juicers: Electric citrus juicers have a vertical, ribbed reamer that fits onto a shaft attached to the motor in the base. When you apply pressure by pushing the half-cut citrus down, the motor kicks on, turning the reamer. Many models also have an auto-reverse function.
Manual Presses: Manual presses work in a similar way but leave out the reaming step. The press forces the fruit against a perforated cone, breaking up the pulp to release the juice. This is less likely to eat into the citrus pith, thus minimising bitter-tasting juice. Manual presses are generally more expensive than electric citrus juicers but produce higher quality, and when you get into a flow, you can make a lot of juice fast!
Pros:
- Easy to assemble and clean
- Reasonably priced
- Juices fast, a time saver
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- Not as versatile, only juices citrus
Unlike making a smoothie in a blender, juicing extracts liquid from raw fruits and vegetables rather than pulverising the whole plant. While juices have less fibre than smoothies, they aid in detoxifying the body with their high amounts of concentrated nutrients.
This comprehensive overview should give you a solid understanding of juicer types and help you choose the best option for your juicing needs!
If you don't want to make your own juices we have you covered, simply add one or more of our superfood juices to your favourite mixer and you have a ready made nutritious juice. To order yours visit our shop here today.
