Nothing beats a glass of fresh-squeezed OJ to bring a little sunshine to your breakfast table. While the store-bought stuff is often loaded with extra acid and preservatives, squeezing it yourself at home gives you a drink that is incredibly sweet, aromatic, and as fresh as it gets! But what’s the best way to get every last drop out of those round citrus fruits?
Juicing oranges give you the most bang for your buck
Technically, you can juice any orange you find, but pro gardeners and citrus lovers know that the variety makes a huge difference. “Juicing oranges” are varieties specifically grown to have thinner skins, less pulp, and a much higher liquid content. They also tend to be less bitter than “navel” or eating oranges. If you’re heading to the store specifically to make juice, look for these. They are usually smaller than eating oranges, but don’t let the size fool you—they’re packed with liquid. Keep an eye out for labels like ‘Valencia Late,’ ‘Canoneta,’ ‘Salustiana,’ or ‘Navel Powell.’ Often, the bag will simply be labeled “Juice Oranges.”
Using a citrus press
Most of us have a simple citrus juicer tucked away in a kitchen drawer. These are perfect for small batches, especially during harvest season when oranges are at their peak flavor and lowest price.
- Slice the fruit in half crosswise.
- Juice them one half at a time.
- Place the cut side down onto the reamer.
- Press down firmly while twisting the fruit back and forth.
If you find yourself juicing oranges on the regular, you might want to upgrade to an electric citrus press. These spin automatically, so you don’t have to use any muscle, and they get the job done much faster. For a vintage kitchen vibe, those large manual lever-presses look great on a countertop and make juicing feel like a breeze.
Pro Tip:
Oranges don’t have a very long shelf life at room temperature, but they can lose some of their signature aroma if kept in the fridge too long. If you can’t “drink” through your supply within a few days, you can always freeze the juice for later!
No juicer? No problem!
You can still enjoy fresh juice even if you don’t own a press. All you really need is a metal mesh strainer. First, peel the orange and chop the flesh into very small pieces. Put the pulp into the strainer over a glass and use the back of a spoon to press out all that liquid gold.
Maximize your yield
Want to get even more juice out of every fruit? Try soaking your oranges in hot water for a few minutes first; this loosens up the membranes inside. You can also place the orange on your countertop and roll it back and forth under the palm of your hand with a bit of pressure before cutting it open. It works like a charm!