About Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
Oranges are one of the most popular citrus fruits in the world. Their bright color, juicy flesh and nutritional benefits make a tangy, refreshing juice that is often associated with breakfast. Oranges are available for purchase year-round and come in plentiful variety; additionally, making fresh-squeezed orange juice at home is fun, healthy and easy to do with a quality juicer or hand-held tool.
Benefits
Fresh-squeezed orange juice has many nutritional benefits. The most well-known, primary benefit is that oranges contain excellent portions of vitamin C, a healthful water-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin C combats harmful free radicals in the body, preventing damage, fighting infections and protecting cells that could otherwise be susceptible to diseases, such as colon cancer. This powerful vitamin also increases iron absorption within the body, helping prevent an iron deficiency. According to a recent American Chronicle report, fresh orange juice contains more active, natural enzymes than regular juice. Orange juice has also recently been found to significantly reduce the risk of kidney stones in women. Orange juice is a quality source of dietary fiber, natural sugars, thiamine, folate, potassium, calcium, water and beta-carotene. Drinking orange juice (versus eating the fruit) allows for quick absorption of greater amounts of nutrients, because digestion is unnecessary.
Process
Purchase organic oranges from a local farmers market, when in season. Choose easy-to-peel, juicy and sweet varieties such as the Washington or Louisiana navels and Hamlin or Pineapple oranges. According to C. Jack Hearn of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, smaller oranges can have more intense flavor than larger ones (and are easier for juicing). Search for firm and heavy oranges. Overlook the peel color, as this is not correlated with the orange's taste, but beware of moldy or soft ones. Always wash oranges , and drink within 30 minutes of juice preparation to avoid a sour quality to the fresh-squeezed juice. Always juice at room temperature, as oranges will be at the juiciest, and roll oranges gently over a hard surface (such as the counter) before juicing. Cut oranges in half and remove seeds before juicing. Utilize a home juicer to extract fresh-squeezed juice, or complete by hand by squeezing cut orange slices over a glass. Drink immediately for optimum health benefits.
Types
Fresh-squeezed orange juice can be made from any of the 600 types of oranges, including Valencia, Navel, Hamlin, California Navel, Blood and Cleopatra Mandarin. The leading producer of oranges in the world is Brazil, followed by the United States, China, Mexico and Spain. Orange juice varieties are available in stores from brands such as Tropicana, Welch's, Minute Maid and Simply Orange. While premade juices can have nutritional benefits, many brands pack their juices with added sugars and lack viable enzymes. Always check the nutritional content on the box before purchasing store-bought juice. Orange juice can vary in color, taste and pulp level, and is often called for in food and beverage recipes, diet programs and fasting regimes.
Considerations
Juice only enough oranges for an immediate serving to avoid storage of freshly-squeezed orange juice. However, if necessary, orange juice can be poured into ice cube trays or plastic bags and frozen for later consumption. As orange juice is a natural source of sugar and can be high in calories, both adults and children should drink it in moderation.
Expert Insight
Invest in a high-quality home juicer to regularly extract smooth, flavorful orange juice. There are several models available to consumers; consider the popular Power Juicer, Breville or Hamilton Beach models. Juicers can vary in ease of cleanliness, pulp control, style, power, speed and capacity. Oftentimes, deals are available on juicers from online vendors. Look for styles that offer a money-back guarantee (such as the Power Juicer). If looking for a smaller juicing tool, hand-held and manual press juicers are available from major brands, such as KitchenAid.
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