Homemade juice is not only an easy way to get in some of your daily fruit and veggies, it’s a smart way to make the most of in-season and on-sale produce too. Intrigued? Here’s how to get started using a juice machine in four easy steps, plus tips for making every glass something you’ll want to savor.
1. Select your produce
Think about your favorite fruits and veggies and what’s in season, and buy organic when you can. Juicing takes a lot of produce, around 1 pound for an 8-ounce serving. Read on for information on popular items for juicing as well as easy combinations to start with.
2. Rinse and trim
Wash all produce well. Trim as needed, and remove seeds and pits. Remove thick rinds (like pineapple or watermelon skin) and peel citrus (its skin has bitter oils that can overwhelm juice).
3. Cut to fit your feed tube
Follow the manufacturers’ instructions for your juicer for specific fruits and vegetables, and make sure all are sliced or torn to fit easily through the feed tube. Have all ingredients ready before turning the machine on (this helps protect its motor).
4. Start juicing!
If your juicer has different speeds, check instructions for details on the best to use for different items. Feed produce in and watch the colorful, nutrient-packed juice flow out. When you’re done, check the pulp basket — if the pulp is damp or contains large bits of fruit you can run it through the juicer again for a higher yield.
Juice is at its best absolutely fresh, but you can also store it in the fridge for a day or two. Making at least a double batch (2 cups) is the most efficient way to juice.
CLASSIC COMBOS
Here are five tried-and-true produce blends to get your started. And you can take advantage of savings when you shop at Whole Foods Market from 2/28 to 3/13/18: get sweet organic Bartlett pears for $1.79 lb; organic Honeycrisp apples for $2.99 lb; and seasonal favorite seedless Sumo Citrus for $2.99 lb.*
1. Tangy Green Juice
Kale + cucumber + pear + parsley + lime + ginger
2. Citrus Medley
Sumo citrus + pink grapefruit + celery + lime
3. Tropical Sunrise
Pineapple + carrot + apple + lime + store-bought coconut water
4. Brilliant Beet Juice
Red beet + apple + carrot + spinach + lemon + ginger
5. Golden Turmeric Elixir
Yellow beets + pear + fennel + turmeric root + lemon
MIX AND MATCH
If you want to create your own combos, start by choosing seasonal ingredients. Think about selecting one from each of the four produce groups below, then expand your recipes as you get more comfortable juicing.
Sweet and juicy. Apples, pears, pineapple, kiwi, oranges, Sumo citrus, grapefruit, mandarins, tangelos, mangos, melon, grapes, peaches, nectarines.
Bright and earthy. Carrots, red beets, golden beets, parsnips, winter squash, jicama.
Fresh and green. Kale, spinach, beet greens, celery, cucumber, Swiss chard, bell peppers.
Sharp and zingy. Lemon, lime, ginger root, turmeric root, fennel, parsley, basil, mint, jalapeño.
A few things that don’t juice well
Very soft produce like bananas and avocados – save these for smoothies.
Berries and pomegranate seeds don’t juice well in all machines, so check the manufacturer’s instructions.
* Valid 2/28 - 3/6/18. While supplies last. Not valid at Whole Foods Market 365™ stores. U.S. only. No rain checks. Excludes organic Sumo Citrus.
