Here in the citrus corridor, we are blessed with an abundance of citrus. One of the best ways to preserve the bounty is by juicing the oranges for fresh-squeezed orange juice.
I could list some of the health benefits of orange juice (vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamin, folate, potassium, fiber, proteins, copper, magnesium, flavonoids, hesperidin, and a variety of other trace vitamins and minerals), but if you’ve had a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice, you remember the taste. It is so good! Besides being one of the most nutrient-packed fruits available, oranges are delicious.
After several years of juicing thousands of oranges, I’m sharing my 3 best tips for how to juice oranges.
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3 Tips for Juicing Oranges
#1 Tip for How to Juice Oranges: Juice the correct type of orange
When it comes to juice, not all oranges are equal. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Sweet oranges are good for both juice and eating fresh.
- Valencia oranges ripen later in the spring and are known for their delicious juice, which has a deep orange color and high sugar content.
- Navel oranges are best eaten fresh. If you juice them, use it immediately because navels contain a compound called limonin which produces a bitter taste in the juice.
#2 Tip for How to Juice Oranges: Use a quality juicer
For many years, I used a small citrus juicer and it was fine.
But once I could purchase this citrus press, I juiced 10 times the amount of oranges in the same amount of time. If you have access each year to abundant citrus, consider purchasing a citrus press. My mom and I shared one for several years and took turns juicing our oranges.
#3 Tip for How to Juice Oranges: Store fresh-squeezed juice correctly for the best taste and most extended life
Fresh squeezed juice stores well in the refrigerator for about three weeks. Use frozen juice within 12 months for the best taste.
Fresh juice separates and needs to be remixed before drinking. Plunger-type pitchers are perfect for short-term juice storage in the fridge. When you are ready to drink the juice, mix it up right before pouring it.
I love these half-gallon Rubbermaid storage containers. If you are going to freeze them, leave an inch or two headspace so the juice can expand.
- They are reusable from year to year.
- They nestle close together without wasted space.
- Use them in the refrigerator or freezer.
- To use frozen orange juice, let it unthaw in the fridge overnight.
Questions about how to grow citrus? This article answers 10 questions about how to grow citrus and includes guidelines for selecting, planting, watering, and fertilizing citrus.
Learn the 10 biggest citrus growing mistakes (and how to avoid them) in this article.
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