How to store juice from a juicer

What is the importance of drinking fresh juice?

Juice is food; like all foods, it provides maximum nutrition immediately. Freshly-squeezed juice contains a high level of vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in enzymes and other beneficial compounds from various fruits and vegetables.

Fresh juice from a juicer offers a fast and easy way to get healthy. You also get to meet your recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the sweet taste of fruits and vegetables makes fresh juices a great beverage.

Why do we need to store juice in the right way?

You need to store juice correctly to keep it fresh and nutritious. Like all organic products, it spoils after a while. As a result, it starts to smell and taste bad, and it loses its nutritional value.

Additionally, when stored incorrectly, the juice becomes contaminated with bacteria and fungi. Essentially, that makes it unsafe to drink.

However, with the proper storage techniques, you can drink your juice even after several days. Also, with the right ways of storing juice, you can enjoy a flavourful and nutritious drink for days to come.

What causes juice to become spoiled?

Firstly, what causes juice to spoil is oxidation. According to the University of California, Davis, the juice begins to break down in a process known as oxidation. Here, the juice molecules begin to interact with air, and this reaction initiates the spoilage of the juice.

The oxidation process starts immediately after the fruit or vegetable skin gets raptured. However, it takes time and will only affect the quality of your juice after a long period.

Secondly, bacteria and fungi are also culprits of spoiled juice. These microorganisms feast on the organic material found in the juice and cause spoilage.

Lastly, enzymes in the juice cause it to break down over time. These enzymes are responsible for the juice’s taste, texture and aroma. Thus, the juice’s flavour changes and spoils when they react with other components.

How do you store fresh juice from a juicer?

Now that you know what causes your juice to spoil, let’s learn how to store it.

Use a sterile glass jar or bottle to store your freshly-squeezed juice. Next, ensure the container is clean and dry before filling it with juice. After that, immediately after juicing your fruits and vegetables, fill the container to the brim. You can place wrap over the jar/bottle to keep air out. Lock the lid tight.

Keep It In The Fridge

After you’ve secured the lid on your glass container, store it in the fridge. The cold temperature inhibits the growth of fungi and bacteria, thus keeping your juice fresh for days.

How to freeze it for long-term storage

If it’s not possible to drink your juice 2-3 days after squeezing, freezing it is the best option. But how do you freeze it for long-term storage? Here is how.

First, pour the freshly squeezed juice into a glass container. However, do not fill to the brim. Leave about half an inch of space at the top for expansion. After that, secure the lid on the container. Then, put it in the freezer and leave for 24 hours. Finally, transfer the juice to a zip-lock freezer bag and label it with the date.

Note: your juice will remain fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Drying method

You can also dry your juice using fruit leather or other methods and store them for months. Drying is an excellent option to avoid added sugar, preservatives, and additives in store-bought juices.

However, with this method, you must remember that your juice will taste different from when freshly squeezed. Additionally, the drying process depletes the juice of some nutrients.

Vacuum sealing

Vacuum sealing your juice is another way to store juice from a juicer for days. Here, you use a vacuum sealer to pump air out of the container.

Firstly, get a vacuum jug and fill it with freshly squeezed juice. Secondly, seal the lead tightly. Thirdly, press start on your vacuum sealer and pump the air from the jug. Then, store it in the refrigerator for freshness. 

Store juice in the glass bottles

Glass bottles are a great way to store juice from a juicer. That’s because you can carry it around without worrying about spoilage.

Firstly, ensure the bottles are clean before pouring in the juice. You can wash with a damp cloth in warm soapy water. After that, rinse them with cold water before use. From there, fill each bottle with freshly squeezed juice. But ensure you leave a quarter or half an inch of space at the top of the bottle for expansion. Place a wrap over the bottle to keep air out. Finally, store the juice in the fridge.

Adding lemon helps

Adding lemon is a great way to extend your juice’s shelf life when storing juice from a juicer. Citrus fruits such as lemon and bitter lemon are highly acidic. As such, they help to lower the pH of the drink. That, in turn, prevents bacteria and fungi from multiplying, preserving your juice for longer.

Additionally, lemon will reduce the loss of nutrients and boost the amounts of antioxidants and vitamin C. But how do you do it?

Firstly, pour your fresh juice from a juicer into a glass container. Cut a piece of lemon and add it to the juice. Finally, seal and store the container in the refrigerator.

Juice with organic fruits and vegetables

Usually, juice storage causes some level of degradation of nutrients. Therefore, squeezing juice from highly nutritious foods will ensure you still have decent levels of nutrients even after storage.

Furthermore, organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than conventional ones. Consequently, they contain higher levels of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and vitamins. So, when you juice these foods, you will get juice with more nutrients.

Moreover, organic fruits and vegetables also have fewer pesticide residues. Therefore, the quality of your juice from a juicer will be higher.

Why should you peel the fruits before juicing?

Some fruits, especially citrus, have tough outer skins, piths and peels. These parts can add a bitter and unpleasant taste to your juice. Therefore, it’s essential to peel the fruits before juicing.

Fruit peels also contain compounds that react with the air and cause oxidation. It results in spoiled juice with an off taste and smell. Moreover, the peels may contain pesticides and other residues you cannot wash away. Therefore, it’s best to peel when prepping your fruits for juicing.

Furthermore, some parts of your favourite fruits are inedible. For instance, the outer skin of avocados tastes awful and should get discarded. You get only the sweet, buttery flesh and delicious juice by peeling.

How To Choose The Right Container?

Now that you know how to store juice from a juicer, it is essential to choose a suitable container. The wrong one can affect the quality of your drink and spoil it quickly.

When choosing a container for storing juice from a juicer, always look for one made from glass or stainless steel. Unlike plastic, those two materials are food-grade since they do not react with air. Therefore, they will keep your juice fresh for longer.

Furthermore, consider the size of your container when purchasing one. Ensure that your jar or bottle is enough for a single-serve of juice. That way, you won’t have to store the remaining part for later use. But you can have several containers if you have more juice.

How to consume preserved juices?

If you’re consuming juice stored for over two days, it’s best to let it thaw at room temperature. That will help to increase the potency of the flavour and nutrition. Additionally, ensure that you consume it within 2-3 days.

For frozen juices, make sure you defrost them overnight in the refrigerator. You can then serve it a glass and enjoy it right away.

Note: Preserved juices are safe to consume but may slightly change the taste and nutritional values.

How long can you store juice from a cold-pressed juicer?

Juice from a cold-pressed juicer can last for 24-72 hours in an airtight container placed in the fridge. However, when frozen, it can last for up to 3 months.

It’s important to note that you should not store juice at room temperature. That’s because it is likely to spoil quickly due to bacteria and enzymes present. Warm temperatures will encourage these microorganisms to multiply, leading to rapid spoilage.

How to store juice from a masticating juicer?

Masticating juicers, popularly known as cold press juicers, do not produce any heat. As such, they retain more nutrients than other types of juicers.

While that is true, the same storage principles apply to masticating juices.

Firstly, make sure all your utensils are clean before using the juicer. Then, pour your juice into an airtight container to the brim. Finally, store your juice in the refrigerator or freezer, depending on how long you want to keep it. Remember that masticating juicers produce high-quality juices with more nutrition.

Health tips for drinking preserved juice

Preserved juices can still be healthy when you follow the proper steps. For example, ensure your storage jar or container gets sealed tight. That way, it stays fresh and unoxidized.

Other health tips for drinking preserved juice include:

Avoid plastic containers

Label the container or freezing bag with a date when freezing the juice for prolonged storage.

Drink the juice within two days after it has thawed.

Make sure to shake your juice well before consuming it, as separation can occur due to storage time.

Avoid adding sugar, syrup, or sweetener when preserving your juice.

Opt for organic fruits and vegetables when juicing.

Final Words

Now that you know how to store juice from a juicer, you can confidently enjoy your freshly made juice anytime. But always ensure your container has no air, which can lead to oxidation. Additionally, only use glass on stainless steel containers and avoid plastics.

Following this guide, you can enjoy homemade juices with maximum nutritional value anytime. Plus, you can avoid wastage and stay healthy.

Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long can juice get stored?

Juice from a juicer can last for 24-72 hours in an airtight container in the refrigerator. But when frozen, it can last up to 3 months.

What happens without freezing the juice?

Without freezing the juice, it will likely spoil quickly due to bacteria and enzymes present. Therefore, always store your juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

How To Tell If The Juice Is Not Good For Your Health?

If your juice has a sour smell or off-taste, it is likely not good for your health. Additionally, if it lasts over three days in the fridge, it is unsafe to consume. Ensure you also check the container for any mould growth that may have occurred due to oxidation.

Can I use a wine bottle for storing juice from a juicer?

No! You should not use a wine bottle for storing juice from a juicer. Firstly, it has a small opening, making pouring your drink difficult. Secondly, it does not seal tightly, exposing your juice to air and leading to oxidation.