There’s simply no better way to start your morning than with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. With zero added sugars and no preservatives, this healthy, tasty, and tangy drink is simple to make and delicious.
So if you’re looking for how to make orange juice you’ve come to the right place! We’ll give you all kinds of tips on how to make the best freshly squeezed orange juice.
Health Benefits of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
It’s no secret that most juices that line our favorite grocery store shelves are filled with preservatives, added sugars, and artificial flavors. So here is why you should learn how to make orange juice.
No Preservatives, Artificial Flavours, and Added Sugars
When you opt to make your fresh juices, you skip all of the added sugars and preservatives, making it a much healthier alternative.
Vitamin C
One of the biggest reasons freshly squeezed orange juice is so popular at breakfast is that it’s packed full of vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in repairing the body’s cells and tissues.
So not only does it help fight off those annoying sniffles, but it’s beneficial to our organs and muscles.
Antioxidants
Speaking of fighting off the common cold, freshly squeezed orange juice is filled with antioxidants that protect your cells from free radicals.
Think about pollution, smoke, and other environmental factors you encounter every day. Antioxidants keep your cells in tip-top condition to keep you healthier for longer periods of time.
Healthy and Tasty
Last but certainly not least, orange juice just plain tastes good. Some healthier drinks can have a bitter and earthy taste that can be unappealing. But with freshly squeezed orange juice, you are enjoying something incredibly beneficial and tasty.
Best Oranges for Juicing
Navel, Mandarine, Cara Cara, Valencia – there are tons of orange varieties lining the shelves in the produce section. So which one is the best for making fresh orange juice?
The main differences in orange varieties are taste, texture, and size. There are also only a few select varieties that are available all year long.
Some of the most common oranges for juicing are Navel and Valencia oranges. They’re the sweeter of the varieties, have fewer seeds than others, and are widely available worldwide.
That being said, you can also make different types of freshly squeezed orange juices, such as blood orange juice. While it’s not the most common variety, it’s another delicious flavor of orange juice to enjoy.
Navel Orange
Navel oranges are the most common and the easiest to find worldwide. They are a winter orange with thick skin and sweet and juicy flesh.
Navel oranges are typically three to four inches in diameter, making them larger oranges, which is ideal when making juice since you get more bang for your buck.
Valencia Orange
While Navel oranges are considered winter oranges, Valencia is the summer orange. Valencia oranges are thin-skinned with fewer seeds and a juicy interior flesh.
This makes them great for juicing and snacking. Usually, two and a half to three inches in diameter, they’re a medium-sized, sweet, and juicy orange – perfect for juicing.
Blood Orange
Blood oranges make an uncommon yet delicious freshly squeezed juice. Blood oranges have thicker skin with dark pink to red flesh, accounting for their somewhat gruesome name.
Blood oranges are also sweeter than Navel and Valencia oranges – which means they make a sweeter-tasting juice.
Blood oranges are smaller in size ranging from two to three inches, so if you plan to use them for freshly squeezed juice, you may need a few more than if you decided to use Navel or Valencia.
So, What’s the Best?
It comes down to what season it is and what is more available to you. Both the Navel and the Valencia oranges make delicious juice, so either variety is perfect.
How to Make Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
Manual Methods
First, you need to decide on your method of how to make orange juice. There are different ways you can go about it. First, we will start with the manual ones.
Hand Press Citrus Juicer
Using manual citrus juicers such as a hand press citrus juicer is where you place half of the fruit between two metal presses and use your hand to squeeze the juice from the orange. It requires a bit of strength to use.
It is best to do a bit of prep work by slicing your oranges into smaller segments to squeeze, this releases more juice and makes the process faster. Hand presses are easy to clean and store away for later use making it the ideal gadget for smaller spaces.
Manual Citrus Juicer with Catch Tray
You can also use a manual citrus juicer where you slice the orange in half and rotate it on a plastic or metal extrusion that releases the juices from the fruit. These typically have a strainer-type top that will catch large pulp and seeds while letting the juice drain into the bottom catch.
You can pour the juice into a cup and discard the large pulp and seeds.
Electric Citrus Juicer Method
For an easy way to squeeze fresh oranges, you may want to opt for an electric countertop juicer.
Way faster than using any manual citrus juicer, an electric juicer makes prepping your fresh-squeezed orange juice simple.
Unlike hand squeezing or twisting the oranges to release the juice, you place the cut-in-half orange onto the extrusion and press down a top hatch where a motor rotates the extrusion with no effort.
You can make larger amounts of juice in less time and with less hand fatigue than manual squeeze methods.
How to Properly Store Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Now that you learned how to make orange juice we have a few tips for getting the maximum shelf life from your freshly squeezed juice.
Container
The first tip is to keep your juice in a glass container. Because of the acidity of the oranges, orange juice will stay fresher if you store it in a glass container versus a plastic one.
Of course, if you’re going through the juice quickly or serving it right away after squeezing, you can use plastic if that’s what you have on hand. But for longer storage, opt for a glass container.
Lid
The second tip is to have a good sealing lid. It doesn’t need to be an air-tight seal but the better the seal keeps out air, the longer the juice stays fresh.
Shelf Life
Now that we know the best containers and ways to store the juice, how long does it last in the fridge? Freshly squeezed orange juice should be kept no longer than three days in your refrigerator.
That’s a drastic difference from store-bought juices, but that’s because there are no added preservatives.
Unexpected Ways to Use Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
You have the oranges, the method of juicing, and now you’re wondering what else can you do with freshly squeezed orange juice. Here are some ideas!
Meat Marinades
The citric acid, sweetness, and natural sugars in oranges make them the perfect marinade for tenderizing chicken and pork.
When tossing your favorite go-to’s on the grill this summer, add a bit of freshly squeezed orange juice to the marinades for a fresh and citrus flavor.
Freeze in Ice Cube Trays
Freshly squeezed juice needs to be used within three days. If you have some that’s reaching the end of its freshness, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Use the frozen orange juice cubes in your favorite smoothies or even sangrias.
Homemade Salad Dressings
Asain style salad dressings are known for their tasty citrusy sweet flavors. So use your freshly squeezed orange juice for a homemade dressing.
Try this fantastic sesame orange salad dressing recipe next time you are craving a crisp fresh salad.
What to do With the Leftover Orange Peels
Don’t toss those orange peels. Here are a few ideas to use those leftover peels.
Make Orange Tea
One tasty way to use up those excess peels is to turn them into orange-infused teas.
All you need to do is steep the peels in hot water for about ten minutes. You can even add your favorite tea bags for an extra boost of flavor.
Homemade Potpourri
Use dried-out orange peels to make some festive homemade potpourri. You can even drop a few drops of your favorite essential oils for even more scent.
Candied Orange Peels
Take the leftover peels and turn them into stunning candied orange peels.
You can use these candied peels for delicious cocktails, eye-catching desserts, and extra fancy charcuterie boards just in time for the holidays.
Wrapping Up How to Make Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice
Making freshly squeezed orange juice is a simple and healthy part of your morning routine.
Regardless of the variety of oranges or the juicing method you use, knowing how to make orange juice means you’re guaranteed to have a delicious and healthy drink.
Need more information on oranges? Visit our Orange Trees page to access all our blog posts and guides about this healthy and delicious fruit.