It's hard to argue that fresh juice makes the best drinks. Lemons, limes, and oranges are the most common fruits, and it's only logical to use fresh citrus whenever you can, including in food recipes. The great news is that these are also the easiest fruits to juice. Show
There are several ways to get fresh juice from citrus fruit, and it takes just a few minutes. Most of the techniques require a tool, though several juicer styles are inexpensive and can be stored in a bar or kitchen drawer. Prep to Maximize Citrus Juice YieldsPreparing fruit to be juiced is easy: Rinse the peel thoroughly and, in almost every instance, simply cut the fruit in half. The only exception is when you need a "squeeze" of juice, in which case a wedge works best. There are a couple of steps you can take to get the most juice out of the fruit:
How Much Juice Is in Citrus Fruit?Every piece of fruit holds a different amount of juice. Factors such as variety, growing environment, and size impact how much juice a citrus fruit yields. On average, you can expect to get:
How to Store Citrus JuiceIt's best to use fresh citrus juice immediately and squeeze only what you need. However, citrus juice can be stored in the refrigerator for two to three days. Choose glass or food-safe plastic containers with tight-sealing lids. Opaque or dark is better than transparent bottles and jars because light can make the juice go bad faster (it's typically not an issue in a dark fridge). Optionally, freeze citrus juice for a few months. Ice cube trays create convenient servings; transfer to a freezer-safe container once frozen. Wash Your Hands and Avoid SunburnThe acids in citrus juices can irritate the skin. If your hands have cuts or rough skin, it is best to wash your hands often during and after juicing. If you're very sensitive, you might even think about wearing gloves. Additionally, if citrus juice remains on your skin and is exposed to direct sunlight, you can get a severe sunburn. It's called phytophotodermatitis or "margarita dermatitis" because it's often associated with making margaritas with lime juice in summer. A Splash of Fresh Citrus Juice? Just Squeeze It!The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios Many food and drink recipes call for a splash, squeeze, or squirt of fresh juice. This accent is most often used for lemons and limes and is the easiest juicing technique because it requires no tools other than a knife to cut wedges. For drinks like the gin and tonic, the wedge is often used as a garnish and allows the drinker to squeeze as much juice as they like. Other cocktails add a splash while mixing the drink, and several food dishes call for a splash when plating. How to Squeeze Citrus by Hand
The Hand SqueezerThe Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios A citrus squeezer (or hand press) is a handheld tool that uses force to gently squeeze the fresh juices from lemons and limes. It's a favorite among bartenders and chefs because it's quick, efficient, and easy to store. The two arms are held together with a hinge that helps when pressing, all but the tiniest seeds stay in the press, and the juice is typically pulp-free. This style of citrus juicer is pretty inexpensive and comes in two sizes. The smaller model works specifically for limes and small lemon varieties, while the larger version is suitable for the average lemons and limes. On occasion, you can find one for oranges and larger citrus. When shopping, look for a stainless steel or heavy plastic squeezer. The handles of cheap plastic juicers can snap under normal force. Use this juicer for recipes that call for "juice of 1/2 a lime" or similar small measurements. You can squeeze the juice directly into a glass or
cocktail shaker. When a specific quantity is needed, squeeze over a measuring cup of (very carefully) a cocktail jigger. How to Juice Citrus With a Squeezer
The Citrus ReamerThe Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios A citrus reamer tends to be more beneficial for food recipes. It's not used frequently for drinks because you need to strain the seeds and pulp. It's also rather messy in comparison to the squeezer. However, it is a cheap gadget that takes up little space, and if it is all you have, it does the trick. How to Juice Citrus With a Reamer
The Old-Fashioned Citrus JuicerThe Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios Another manual juicer, this is a great way to quickly get a lot of fresh citrus juice on the cheap. These juicers are also small enough to fit in a drawer and do an amazing job at getting the most juice out of fruit. This style of juicer comes in two main forms. They typically come in one size that will fit lemons, limes, oranges, and smaller grapefruit, though larger versions are available.
Use this juicer when making large quantities of juice for storage, stocking up for a party, or making a pitcher of fresh lemonade. How to Juice Citrus With a Manual Juicer
Need A Lot of Citrus Juice? Get a PressRob Lawson / Photolibrary / Getty ImagesIf you are serious about juicing citrus, then a countertop citrus press may be a good investment. It requires manual force and is larger and more expensive, though you will get what you pay for, and it is best to choose a well-built press. With this style of juicer, you can squeeze a lot of fruit in very little time. It is a perfect option if you have space in the kitchen, love fresh orange or grapefruit juice, and want a minor workout at the same time. This press will produce a pulp- and seed-free juice in most instances, though a strainer may be needed. How to Juice Citrus With a Press
Go Electric and Juice it Up!A. Aleksandravicius/Moment Open/Getty ImagesThe final option for getting juice out of citrus fruit is, arguably, the easiest. Some people love electric juicers, and others find manual juicers easier and more efficient. You can find electric juicers dedicated to citrus and models that include a citrus attachment. The design of either option is essentially the same as any other citrus juicer, though the reamer is rotated or vibrated by an electric motor. If you are looking for a versatile kitchen appliance that will juice a variety of fruits and vegetables as well as citrus, this may be a good option. It does all the work for you and would be a good choice if physical limitations prohibit you from using a manual option. The disadvantages are that they're more expensive, require extra storage space, and can be noisy. How do you manually squeeze orange juice?Roll the orange over and back a few times on your kitchen counter before squeezing it. The pressure of rolling it breaks down the cell walls of the fruit, making it easier for the juice to flow out. Heat the orange briefly before squeezing it, as cold fruit yields less juice.
How to make orange juice without a machine?Start by peeling your oranges with a perry knife, then chop into fourths before tossing into your blender. Blend until consistent in texture and then pour through a mesh strainer or nut milk bag to separate all solids from the juice.
How do you get all the juice out of an orange?Roll the lemon, lime or orange on the kitchen counter using the palm of your hand and firm pressure for around 10 seconds. You are aiming to bruise the fruit loosen up the juices inside, so press down firmly. Cut the fruit in half. Juice using a citrus press or a reamer, squeezing firmly.
How do you juice without a juicer?To make juice without a juicer, all you have to do is add your fresh produce and water to a high-speed blender, blend, and then strain the mixture through a nut milk bag (or cheesecloth) to remove the fiber.
|