Blending & Juicing Guide

How To Use A Juicer

Ease of operation and cleanup

• Some key pieces to look out for that will make juicing a bit easier are the pulp bin and chute size. Juicing machines that eject pulp into a bin keep you from manually having to scoop the pulp out. When you’re done juicing, compost the pulp or re-use it in baked goods. A large chute size, on the other hand, will allow you to insert larger pieces of fruit and vegetables, rather than small chunks that you have to manually cut.

Juice Quality

• Not all juicers are created equal. A good juicer produces high quality juice that contains higher nutrient and enzyme contents. Multi-speed models allow you the flexibility to use a lower speed for softer produce like citrus fruits and a higher speed for harder produce like beets and pineapples. Select models will also have features such as foam and pulp control, to really allow your juice to be your main squeeze.

Will it last?

• A quality juicer is an investment. When deciding which one is right for you, think long term about how you will use the juicer and what produce you anticipate using most. When it comes to care of your machine, many pieces are dishwasher safe while others are hand wash only. Make sure to pay attention to the instructions your particular manufacturer provides to make sure your purchase lasts.

Yield or ounces of juice per pound of produce

• A quality machine can extract much more juice per pound of produce than a basic juicer—about 17% to 25% more than the bargain models. While you may save money up front, you might spend more down the line buying additional produce to get the amount of juice that you want.

Create Your Perfect Blend

Tip #1

• Focus on vegetables, but include some fruit.
• You’d be surprised at how much difference adding one small apple makes in a green juice recipe. Citrus fruits like lemons are also popular to add in.

Tip #2

• Include 1-2 root vegetables such as carrots or beets to add additional flavor and antioxidants.
• These tend to contribute a tad more sugar and a nice earthy flavor, adding complexity.

Tip #3

• Add at least one leafy green for optimal nutrients.
• Kale, broccoli and parsley are all popular options.

Tip #4

• Include one watery vegetable.
• Cucumber, celery and other watery vegetables help dilute the too-strong flavors of the previous three ingredients. This can make a big difference in drinkability, while adding some nice flavor and additional vitamins.

Tip #5

• Don’t forget a garnish.
• A small amount of a strong flavored item such as ginger, lemon, mint or other herbs can make your juice a real pleasure to drink while adding highly concentrated antioxidants.

Tip #6

• Want to make your juice more filling? Add back a few scoops of the fiber that is filtered out by the juicer.