Juicing and Berries: A Match Made In Heaven?
What You Need to Know About Juicing Your Berries
I love growing berries, and I love juicing just as much. There's nothing more satisfying than growing healthy, organic berries and turning them into wonderful juice combinations. Talk about a healthy delight! Before you run out and buy a juicer, however, there are a few things you need to know.
Not All Juicers Juice Berries
Many juicers are great at juicing hard produce such as carrots, apples and celery. Those same juicers might not juice softer fruits and vegetables (such as berries) quite as well. This could either mean you get too much pulp in the juice or not enough juice out of the pulp. Either way, you're not going to be happy with the results.
Before you invest in a juicer, make sure you buy one that is designed with both soft and hard produce in mind. Otherwise, you'll end up with two juicers (and that takes up counter space, not to mention serious bucks).
Make Sure It's Not Hot
Think juicers don't produce heat? Guess again. I've put cold carrots into a juicer and had the juice come out warm. The problem with that isn't just the fact that warm carrot juice is gross - it's the fact that heated juice loses a lot of its nutrients. The same goes for juice that has too much oxygen pumped into it (as happens to juice that is made centrifugal juicers). The oxidation process breaks down vital nutrients that you need to get the full benefit of your berry juice.
The best bet for berries is a cold press juicer with a screen that has small holes. This will prevent the juice from becoming "ruined". For a good model, plan on spending at least $250. Some of them cost thousands, but unless you're seriously going to juice all day every day, you shouldn't have to spend that much.
