Beginners’ Juicing What do I need to know if I’m new to juicing?
If you’ve been considering juicing but aren’t sure where to begin, you’ve come to the right place! Juicing is an excellent method to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your diet. These enhance your health and supplement your diet with additional nutrients.
The only downside is that there are so many alternatives that it might be overwhelming. That is why we have produced the ideal beginner’s guide to juicing.
Juicing: What is it, and how might it benefit you?
Juicing is the process of extracting juice from fruits and vegetables after pulp, fibres, and skins have been removed. The resulting liquid is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring molecules that aid in disease prevention and overall health. Juicing can be a simple approach to increasing your nutrient intake without consuming large volumes of vegetables daily!
Juicer types
Apart from the common citrus squeezer for oranges and lemons, there are two primary types of mechanical juicers: centrifugal and masticating.
The distinctions between the various varieties are in how they extract juice from produce, their efficiency at extracting nutrients, and their speed at grinding the components. Let’s dissect each type so you can choose which is the best fit for you!
Centrifugal juicers use high-speed spinning blades to shred fruits and vegetables. These are then spun rapidly within a mesh filter basket (called an auger). The juice is extracted while the trash is retained. They have been demonstrated to be less efficient than other models because not all of the juice is extracted. As a result, the pulp that remains can be rather wet.
Masticating juicers are an excellent choice for juicing leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and wheatgrass. They extract more nutrients than any other type of equipment from these difficult-to-juice ingredients. The auger gradually crushes the fruits and vegetables, creating a vortex that takes the maximum liquid from them.
Additionally, a masticating juicer is the most silent way to create homemade juices.
Suggestions for purchasing a juicer
If you’re on a budget and looking to save money, consider purchasing a ‘pre-loved juicer that is in decent condition. This is an excellent alternative if you want to try juicing before investing in a new juicer.
Consider a juicer with at least two speeds (e.g., low speed/high speed) to make it easier to juice leafy greens such as wheatgrass or spinach without blowing the motor when you press the wrong button.
Consider the best size for your countertop. If the room is limited, some individuals prefer a tiny juicer, while others want something larger.
Making a juice
There is some preparation required. This includes chopping the produce into manageable pieces that can be readily fed through the juicer blades without exerting undue force. Although you do not need to peel fruits or vegetables, utilising organic products is a good idea. This is because most residue from pesticides employed in the produce’s cultivation is found on the skin.
If you cannot purchase organic produce, properly wash it in a solution of plenty of fresh water and vinegar or lemon juice.
Juices that are suitable for beginners who are just beginning their health journey
Vegetable Juice: Vegetables are an excellent place to start due to their gentle nature. They include fibre, which may aid with constipation and help reduce cholesterol levels. For your first juice recipe, combine root veggies, dark leafy greens, and citrus!
Once you get started, you’ll discover that you can juice nearly any produce and even add ginger root and turmeric for added flavour.
Where can I find recipes to help me get started juicing?
Online is one of the finest sources to get beginner juicing recipes. There is an abundance of content dedicated to juicing, making it simple to find what you’re looking for and be inspired by new ideas.
Additionally, the internet is brimming with user-generated recipe sites that have been formed in response to the surge in interest in do-it-yourself juice making. These are useful if you’re looking for more particular information about ingredients or instructions on how to make them. Type “Juicing Recipes” into Google, Facebook, or YouTube, and you will be overwhelmed with options.
Juicing errors that are frequently made
Beginners to juicing frequently make the error of purchasing a costly juicer without considering its intended use. You actually only need a budget juice extractor if you’re new to juicing, as your needs will vary as you gain experience.
Another typical error made by novices is to just juice fruit. While these juices are delectable, they may contain a lot of sugar. This sugar is rapidly absorbed by the body and can result in bad health and weight gain. Combine veggies for a more nutritious juice.
Consume your juice immediately. Beginners may be put off by their juice ‘browning,’ even if it is refrigerated. This is caused by natural oxidation, similar to how a chopped apple turns brown. It will not harm you yet may appear unappealing.
Another newbie error is tossing the pulp. If you use a centrifugal juicer, this pulp is frequently still rather nutritious. You may use it to make soups, as a base for smoothies, or even bake a carrot cake with the pulp from carrot juice!
Finally, the final advice for a new juicer is to ensure that the juicer is cleaned soon after usage. Leaving it will make the job more difficult.
With that said, I wish you all the best with your juicer.
