Orange juice has become a staple beverage to have in every household around the world, and there are many types of orange juice that it can be overwhelming to know every variant.
If you have seen cold-pressed orange juice, you may be wondering what cold-pressed orange juice is. I looked up the facts, and here is what I found!
What Is Cold Pressed Orange Juice?
Cold-pressed orange juice is made by applying extreme pressure to oranges to get the maximum amount of liquid. By using high-pressure pasteurization, cold-pressed orange juice is minimally processed while eliminating pathogens in the orange juice. Additionally, with cold-pressed orange juice, you get more vitamins and minerals from the fruit compared to other extraction methods.
Are you interested in finding out more information about cold-pressed orange juice? Check out the rest of the article!
What Is The Difference Between Cold-Pressed And Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice?
When cold-pressing orange juice, a process called high-pressure pasteurization is used.
To do this, you have to cover the oranges in cold water and use a hydraulic press for extraction.
By applying extremely high pressure to the oranges, you destroy the microorganisms present in the orange juice, meaning cold-pressed orange juice is pasteurized without heat present.
On the other hand, freshly squeezed orange juice needs to undergo the regular pasteurization process, and regular orange juice is subject to high heat treatment to destroy pathogens.
Additionally, when you cold-press orange juice, you get the most amount of nutrients because the orange is fully squished to extract the orange to its maximum potential.
What Are The Benefits Of Cold-Pressed Orange Juice?
One major reason cold-pressed orange juice is beneficial is that cold-pressed orange juice is guaranteed to be 100% natural.
You can be sure that your cold-pressed orange juice is only made from organic, natural ingredients.
Generally, cold-pressed orange juice is directly stored in the container after cold pressing with no added preservatives.
What Is The Difference Between Cold-Pressed Orange Juice And Store-Bought Orange Juice?
Store-bought orange juice is mostly extracted by centrifugal juicing, which is a device is equipped with high-speed motor blades to break down the oranges.
Centrifugal juicing is a convenient way to extract orange liquid because centrifugal juicing can be done in bulk and without much chopping.
However, the catch is that the centrifugal juicing itself promotes oxidation, leading to lesser nutrition content.
On the other hand, cold-pressed orange juice uses a hydraulic press to wring oranges, and the slow process retains more nutrients and greater juice in general.
How To Make Orange Juice With A Cold-Pressed Juicer?
To make orange juice with a cold-pressed juicer, you will first need to remove the peels from the oranges.
Next, try to pull out the pith of the orange as much as possible to avoid bitterness and unwanted particles.
Afterward, check whether your cold-pressed juicer has a wide chute or a narrow one. Depending on this, you can either insert the oranges as is or cut the flesh in half.
Lastly, press the fruit into the juicer and wait for the oranges to be fully juiced. Once done, you can immediately store the cold-pressed orange juice in airtight containers or drink immediately.
How Many Oranges Needed For A Glass of Cold-Pressed Orange Juice?
Generally, a large orange can give you about six to eight ounces of juice when cold-pressed. Therefore, to fill up a cup with cold-pressed orange juice, you only need one orange.
Compared to other methods of extraction, cold-pressed orange juice uses fewer oranges whereas traditional orange juice requires you to squeeze three to four oranges to make a cup.
When Should I Drink Cold-Pressed Orange Juice?
Generally, orange juice is best-consumed in the morning or during the first half of the day, and this applies to cold-pressed ones that you just made.
When you drink orange juice during breakfast, you get a much-needed energy boost to last you through the day.
Due to the rich nutrients present in the cold-pressed orange juice, you will also have increased focus and alertness.
Additionally, orange juice is brimming with vitamin C, and orange juice boosts the immune system and promotes feelings of positive emotions that help you tackle the day in a good mood.
Does Cold-Pressed Orange Juice Separate?
Cold-pressed orange juice does separate after some time has passed. However, it takes a long time as the liquid of cold-pressed orange juice is more intact and uniform.
In comparison, orange juice made using a centrifugal juicer tends to separate immediately because of the premature oxidation that is inevitable during the extraction process.
Does Cold-Pressed Orange Juice Need To Be Refrigerated?
Cold-pressed orange juice needs to be constantly refrigerated to avoid going bad.
Whether you bought cold-pressed orange juice from the farmer’s market or made it yourself, cold-pressed orange juice will still go bad after 72 hours.
Cold-pressed orange juice goes bad quickly because it is freshly squeezed and minimally processed, only relying on high pressure to keep bacteria at bay with no added preservatives.
Can I Freeze Cold-Pressed Orange Juice?
You can freeze cold-pressed orange juice if you want to extend cold-pressed orange juice’s shelf life further.
Additionally, using cartons, ziplock bags, or even ice cube molds to store cold-pressed orange juice is acceptable, as long as the container is freezer-friendly.
If you store cold-pressed orange juice in the freezer, you can prolong cold-pressed orange juice’s freshness for a maximum of six months.
Freezing cold-pressed orange juice is the best way to extend the lifespan without destroying nutrients, enzymes, or natural flavors.
Is Cold-Pressed Orange Juice Better Than Concentrate?
Choosing which is better between cold-pressed orange juice and concentrate depends on your priority.
If you prefer fresher drinks and tend to consume the juice within a few hours of purchasing, cold-pressed orange juice is the right fit for you.
On the other hand, if you like to store your orange juice for a longer duration and are particular about the strict pasteurization process, go for the concentrated variant.
Take a look at our other articles to learn what powdered orange juice is, what blood orange juice is, and what Sunny D Orange Juice is.
Conclusion
Cold-pressed orange juice is made through a hydraulic press where high pressure is applied to maximize juice extraction, and the hydraulic press method yields the most liquid while keeping the nutrients and flavors.
Compared to store-bought orange juice, cold-pressed orange juice is minimally processed, meaning cold-pressed orange juice has a shorter shelf life of 72 hours.