Making orange juice may seem like a simple task, but the truth is that, in order to make it perfect, there are a few factors to consider.
When making juice, everything is important: from the type of oranges we use to the method of extracting the juice. In addition, there are oranges with characteristics for juice and others for table use .
The world of oranges is fascinating and, as orange growers, we take everything that has to do with them very seriously.
That's why, at Campos del Abuelo, we're going to give you some tips to get the best possible result. We'll also answer the most common questions, so we can go in search of the perfect juice.
Let's get started!
Choosing the right type of oranges for juice
It is very important to choose the right variety . There are different groups of oranges and, at the same time, within these groups there are varieties. In this article you can learn more about the families of oranges .
Well, to make an excellent juice, we are going to choose oranges with a lot of juice inside . Medium-sized - to make it easy to handle with the juicer - and that are sweet but also acidic .
There are two varieties that meet these characteristics : the Salustiana and the Valencia Late . Both are part of the white orange group . Let's learn a little more about each one:
The Salustiana variety is ideal for making juice because its pulp is fine , so its content is practically all juice. With two oranges you can make a full glass of juice, which is why we consider it one of the top oranges in the white group . Its season runs from December to March.
The Valencia Late variety is also considered one of the best for juicing because, in addition to its high juice content, the Valencia Late orange has the right balance between sweetness and acidity . It is the latest of the season, so you can buy it from May to the end of July.
Depending on the time of year, in Campos del Abuelo you can find different varieties of oranges.
How many oranges do I need for a glass of juice?
Let's start from the idea that with one orange for juice you can obtain a little more than 100 ml of juice . Therefore, with two oranges we will have enough to make a glass of juice.
Different methods for making orange juice
So that you can choose the method that best suits your needs, we will tell you about the most popular methods for squeezing oranges . And at the end you will be able to see which one Eduardo, a farmer from Campos del Abuelo, chooses to make his orange juice.
Manual methods
If you don't have a juicer, you can simply squeeze the orange to get juice. To avoid using only your hand strength, you can use a fork.
Although it is a useful system when you don't have a juicer nearby, it does not allow you to extract all the juice possible, so we do not consider it the most appropriate way to use the fruit.
Then we have the traditional manual juicer . It is the one we use at Campos del Abuelo to make juice when we are in the fields. That is why we consider it as the method that never fails. Just look at what this juice looks like:
Electrical methods
Speaking of methods that require electricity, we have two. The first is the electric juicer . There are many of them with different prices and features. In this case, the good thing is that you don't do the work, but the device does. It is important not to squeeze the orange too much because if you get to the white part, your juice will be bitter. With the juicer, of course, you can only squeeze citrus fruits.
The juicer is the one that - precisely - extracts the juice from any fruit or vegetable. You will also find a wide range of juicers on the market. To make orange juice in a juicer you must remove the skin of the orange.
If you are wondering which is better: a juicer or an extractor? Here is a comparison image with the features that each one offers to help you resolve the doubt:
Making orange juice step by step
It's very simple, you must follow these 3 simple steps
- Choose your oranges: You can make juice from any orange, but if you use the Salustiana and Valencia Late varieties, you will be using the best oranges for juice.
- Cut 2 to 3 oranges in half.
- Extract the juice using the system you have chosen.
To make it even clearer how to make orange juice, we leave you with this video in which Eduardo, an orange grower from Campos del Abuelo, explains how to make a perfect juice:
Extra: In the case of our farmer colleague, he prefers the juice with the pulp, but if you don't like it with pulp, you can strain it.
Eduardo is very generous with his wisdom and in this article on Valencian oranges , he shares everything he knows about growing this delicious fruit in Valencian lands.
How long does freshly squeezed orange juice last?
Orange juice can last up to 12 hours in the fridge perfectly. You can also freeze orange juice . You've probably heard that vitamins don't last long, something like they go away in less than a minute, well that's a myth. It's very deep-rooted, by the way, but it's not true, so if you want to freeze your orange juice to consume it later , do so with complete peace of mind.
How much orange juice should you drink a day?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), it is recommended to consume between 65 and 90 mg of vitamin C per day. And one orange contains 69.7 mg of vitamin C. This means that with 1-2 oranges we have more than covered the recommended daily amount of vitamin C.
Why is my orange juice bitter?
If you have followed our advice and it still tastes bitter, there are a few possible causes. Let's take a look.
First, as we said, you can make juice with any orange, but it will always be better with juice oranges .
So try to choose the right variety, as some are more bitter than others. The ones we have recommended here are the Salustianas oranges, which contain a lot of juice, and the Valencia Late oranges, which give you a juice that is both sweet and sour .
Another point to consider is to check if your juicer is not squeezing the orange too much until it reaches the albedo , which is the white part of the orange. This part is usually bitter and can change the flavor.
And last but not least: try not to drink the juice more than 12 hours before . This is when it starts to oxidize and change its flavor.
At Campos Del Abuelo we hope that your next juice turns out perfect. And remember that in our online store you can buy fruits and vegetables directly from the farmer .
