Your Guide To Juice, Smoothies, And Other Beverages

Juice

Any form of food, regardless of whether it is a snack or a heavy meal, is never complete without a beverage. They can soothe your stomach after eating something delicious. Have you ever experienced that unsatisfactory feeling when you have done munching, and there is nothing to drink at all? Well, we can exclude water here. I know that is not the drink your throat is craving.

There are various types of beverages. A good example of them is juice, which can complement any food we eat. It is great for a snack and also a wonderful addition to your breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In short, there is nothing wrong with this drink!

Another beverage that we are all so familiar with (and addicted to) is coffee. However, I will not discuss this drink further as I have created a separate section for it. This is because it is a “broad” category that requires thorough discussion.

In this section, I will highlight other liquid refreshments that are common today. This is a comprehensive lesson, so I hope that you will pay attention to the details. After reading this guide, you will certainly be able to make the right drink to quench your thirst! Let’s get started!

Your Guide To Juice, Smoothies, And Other Beverages

Different Types Of Juice And Beverages

There are different classifications of juices that are helpful as they will help you to segregate your ingredients for juicing purposes. Of course, if you aspire to have a small juice business, you will really need to know all of the different juice varieties.

Tropical Juice

Tropical juices are usually made from pineapple. A good example of this is the famous and in-demand cocktail Pina Colada, which imbibes the spirit of leisure and fun.

Tropical juices are one of the favorites of many Americans nowadays. Most pineapples sold in the local markets of the United States are produced in Hawaii. Others have been exported from Southeast Asian countries, like Philippines and Malaysia.

Pineapple juice should be kept cold and refrigerated, as the low temperature will prevent the sugar in this fruit from fermenting. If this happens, the juice has a fizzy texture in the mouth. However, there are some pineapple juice variants, like the Guapo de Pina, that do require the fermentation process.

Other types of tropical beverages we love are mango and banana juices. There are a lot of people who find mango juice too sweet, but you can neutralize this if you mix it with pineapple and banana. In fact, the combination of these ingredients is great for smoothies.

Citrus Juice

When it comes to refreshments, it is citrus juices that are the big stars! All of us are familiar with orange juice, but there other types of citrus fruits that can be made into juice. Some of these are lemon, grapefruit (not to be confused with grapes), and lime.

Citrus juices are very popular. In fact, they comprise of around 40% of the total juice varieties that you see on the market today. This is due to their profound capacity to quench our thirst. Drinking chilled orange will boost your senses.

You can also dilute citrus juice with iced water to regulate its sweetness while emphasizing its sourness. If you want it pure, use a citrus extractor to squeeze out the juice from the fruit.

Citrus fruits (especially lime and grapefruit) are excellent ingredients for marinades. You can use them as souring agents for fish, pork, and beef marinades. Meanwhile, you should wash goat meat with lime to remove its pungent smell. 

Berry Juice

Most berry juices have a sour and tart flavor. A good example of this is cranberry juice. Although it has a refreshing taste, its palate is actually less sweet, and you cannot consider it sour either. It is in the middle of the flavor spectrum, which makes it a good cocktail.

Making berry juices is not easy, especially if you don’t have the appropriate tools and skills. Fortunately, they are widely available today. In fact, the majority are produced in the United States.

Meanwhile, other types of berries, like raspberry and blueberry, are more suitable for smoothies rather than juices due to their seeds and skin. Their sugar content is also too high, which is the opposite of grapes and cranberry.

Raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries can be freely combined with yogurt and milk because they do not have citric acid. They won’t cause curdling either! If you are going to buy berry juice, make sure that it has a “100 percent” label on it. Those that have “cocktail” and “drink” labels on them aren’t pure, as they have added sugar.

Seasonal Fruit Juice

You should not ignore the deliciousness and health benefits of seasonal fruit juices, as they are quite popular, even if you are not particularly aware of them. Your favorite apple juice belongs to this category. Although it comes second in popularity to orange juice, its taste is undeniably refreshing.

Apple juice is a small niche beverage whose commercial production is not that big, and there are sub niches of apple juice from small producers that have a dry, light taste that make you feel like you are consuming raw apples!

If you are planning to make apple juice, make sure that you ferment the fruit first for three days. You must do this even if the fruit is already refrigerated. You can complement apple juice with grape juice, which tempers its natural sweetness. However, the process of creating this “hybrid” juice is quite complicated as it involves bell jars and funnels. 

Vegetable Juice

Fruits are not the only ingredients included in juices. Vegetables can also support your healthy lifestyle. Commonly known as “green juices,” vegetable juices are becoming more and more popular today. Those who are into the Paleo diet are quite familiar with this delicacy.

Let me put you straight. These juices are no fad. If we consider their nutritional value, they easily topple fruit juices. Moreover, their taste is not bad at all. I even consider them to be great complementary supplements for light snacks.

The combination of cucumber, cilantro, celery, and kale makes a great juice. Its sweetness is comparable to apple, and it also has a hint of spice that is similar to lime. You can experiment with the order that you pour the vegetables into the juicer. Ideally, you want to put the celery in the last of all as this will flush down the rest of the vegetables. 

Smoothies

Another beverage people love is the smoothie. These are not simple beverages, as they fill your stomach and so can become great replacements for standard meals and snacks. Of course, they also provide adequate nutritional contents for your body too.

However, there are a lot of skeptics when it comes to their health benefits. Some dietitians have pointed out that they contain a high level of sugar and fat (which comes from the fruit and yogurt). But some people, such as bodybuilders, need to consume smoothies on a regular basis, as they contain lots of protein.

Fortunately, you can easily curb the negative effects of smoothies. Here is what to do:

  • Freeze the fruit you are going to use. 
  • Add more proteins (like whey protein) for a quick breakdown of the amino acids.
  • Use non-fat yogurt or milk.
  • Add water from the coconut, which will thin down the smoothie.
  • Use alternatives to sugar, such as sweeteners like agave syrup. This is similar to honey, but sweeter. It doesn’t have too many glycemic contents so it won’t cause a surge in your sugar level. 

Shakes

You might assume at first that smoothies and shakes are the same thing, and it is true that the process of creating both drinks is plainly the same. But, despite these shared characteristics, the two beverages are not the same. For a stat, shakes are creamier than smoothies. On the other hand, smoothies range from being thick to thin, depending on the type of fruit or vegetable pulp that you use.

Also, shakes are loaded with protein, which are essential for these drinks. Smoothies, in contrast, do not need protein. This is the main reason why many people opt for shakes rather than smoothies, especially if we are talking about their nutritional value.

On the flip side, shakes do not usually use fruit or vegetables as their base ingredients. Instead, they use flavors derived that are from caramel, chocolate, peanut, and vanilla extracts. Some bodybuilders recommend that you drink smoothies before your workout and then shakes after you’ve finished.

Wine

Wine is a type of alcoholic beverage, together with beer, and it is a byproduct of fermentation. Technically speaking, any fruit can be made with wine (e.g. apples and cranberries). However, most of the wine that you see on the market today is made from grapes. Meanwhile, there are other types of wines that are made from rice, such as the ultra-famous Japanese sake.

Beer and wine are different from each other. Although it is true they undergo the same fermentation process, beer is created from brewed grains, while wine is derived from fermented fruit. Of course, there are some rare exceptions to this.

Take note that the grapes used in wine are different from table grapes. Specifically, grape wines are made from Vitis vinifera. This particular grape is smaller than table grapes and contains a lot of seeds. Moreover, it has a sweet taste. The most popular variety of Vitis vinifera is Cabernet Sauvignon. 

How To Choose The Ingredients Of Juice And Smoothies

Before you can create a tasty drink, you must first have the right ingredients. When I say “right”, I mean they should be fresh.

Of course, discerning if a particular fruit or vegetable is fresh or not is by no means a straightforward thing. Regardless of how much you poke or shake an item, it won’t tell you if it’s good or not.

In this section, I will teach you how to spot fresh fruit and vegetables that you can then use to make juice. 

Fruits

Apples – The color of apples range from red to green to yellow. Always make sure that they have a firm texture, and their color is not dull and fading.

Are you interested in apples? If so, check out this cool, informational content that I’ve written about the fruit:

Bananas – The most delicious bananas have a distinct dark yellow coloration, along with some brown speckles. These are the ideal choice for juicing purposes. Do not store bananas in your refrigerator, however, as it will make them age quickly.

Blueberries – Make sure they have a fresh, bright color and a firm texture. Do not choose mushy blueberries. Also, inspect the container of the fruit for stains and leaks. If you find these, it means there is a good chance the fruit’s already spoiling.

Grapefruit – A fresh, juicy grapefruit is both firm and heavy. You can store it in your refrigerator for up to two weeks, and it will still be good for juicing purposes.

Learn many other important facts about grapefruits by reading these articles:

Oranges – Their brightness and weight are the main indicators of their freshness. Do not buy oranges that have spongy, coarse, or thick skin. These standards also apply to lemons and limes.

Do you want to know the best orange varieties for juicing? If so, you should check this article:

Mangoes – When you are choosing a mango, touch it first. A ripe and fresh mango will have a semi-soft texture. It is comparable to touching peaches or avocados. But it should not be mushy. The fragrance of a fresh mango is strong and aromatic too, especially around the stem area.

Peaches – You can easily determine if a peach is ripe and fresh by touching it. The good ones are moderately firm. They should not be mushy, as this means they are overripe. Never use peaches that are still green because they are not ready yet for juicing and eating. 

Check out this article for comprehensive information about peaches:

Pineapples – Just like mangoes, pineapples that are fresh and ripe have a gentle, soothing aroma. They should be heavy too, in accordance with their size. Meanwhile, the leaves or crown should be firm and green.

Strawberries – This fruit should be firm and the cap stems need to be still connected to their bodies. Skip strawberries with uncolored parts, as they have not reached full ripeness yet. Meanwhile, overripe strawberries are excellent for smoothies.

Watermelons – Watermelons can either have seeds or be seedless. Their color usually ranges from red to gold. Make sure that you choose one with dark-colored seeds and avoid those with white-colored streaks on them. If you are going to buy a whole watermelon, make sure it has a symmetrical shape. The skin should be smooth and a pale green color. 

Vegetables

Carrots – Good carrots should have firm bodies and be dark orange. Do not pick any that are flabby or have mushy roots, as there is a good chance they are going off.

Tomatoes – Tomatoes that are good for juicing will have smooth surfaces and a plump, heavy body. They should also be free from blemishes and cracks.

Spinach – Fresh spinach has dark green leaves. Do not get spinach that is wilted and shriveled, and make sure the leaves are not faded.

Cabbage – A fresh cabbage should have a heavy, compact head and look fresh and crisp. The leaves need to be intact and the stems should not feel limp.

Broccoli – Avoid buying broccoli that has bruised skin. Instead, choose those that have dark green bud clusters. The head of the broccoli should be compact as well.

Celery – Celery is fresh and good for juicing if the stalks are firm and packed. The ribs should feel crisp, but any with wilted leaves are a big no.

Sweet Potato – Large sweet potatoes are great for juicing as they are rich in starch. The skin should be smooth and firm. The coloration of the surface should be even. Meanwhile, sweet potatoes with deep colors have high beta-carotene content. 

Standard Method Of Creating Juice

1. First, prepare the ingredients and your juicing device. Then, you can start the juicing process.

2. Before you use the ingredients, make sure that you wash them first. Even if you have got the freshest of fruits or vegetables out there, it’s still not a guarantee that they will be free from bacteria. This is extremely necessary for making any juice.

3. If the juicing device has a pulp basket, you can put a plastic bag on it. This will make it easier to clean the juicer after the juicing process.

4. Make sure the ingredients can fit in the juicer. If it they are too large, cut and slice them first. But remember that cutting vegetables can cause their nutrients to be lost. Therefore, only cut them when you are making the juice, and not before.

5. If your juicer has a variable speed setting (it can operate at different speeds), you need to shift from a high to a low setting when you are dealing with soft ingredients. Fortunately, most juicers today have manuals that will tell you the prescribed speed to use for particular ingredients.

6. Always check if the pulp can still produce juice after you have passed it through the juicer. If the pulp is damp, then that means there is still some leftover juice in there!

7. After you have successfully made the juice, clean the juicer immediately. If your juicer is dishwasher safe, this will be a breeze. But if it is not, just follow the manual approach. Wipe the device with soap and warm water and let it dry on a drying mat.

Standard Method Of Creating Smoothies And Shakes

1. Just like making juice, prepare all the ingredients and the device. You can choose whatever fruit and vegetable you want in a smoothie recipe. In fact, you can even mix them. You just have to acquire the necessary ingredients: yogurt, ice, and juice.

2. Place the fruit or vegetables in a food processor like a blender. Don’t forget to wash the main ingredient first before putting them in the device. If they are too big, you should slice them into pieces.

3. Pour any type of fruit juice into the blender. You can also use milk and soymilk as alternatives. Some people prefer water as the main solvent of their smoothies. Use a measuring cup to get the right amount of liquid for your smoothie. You should also add a cup of frozen or flavored yogurt into the blender. If you want the smoothie to be a non-dairy one, just remove the yogurt and increase the amount of fruit and juice by 1/2 cup, respectively.

4. For those who want their smoothies to be healthier, add powdered supplements. You can even pour a teaspoon of flaxseed and wheat germ, but these are just optional ingredients, which you don’t have to include.

5. If you want a thick smoothie, put a lot of ice in the blender. A cup of crushed ice is great way off of making a moderately smooth smoothie you can drink through a straw. You can ignore the ice if you are using frozen fruits. This will make the smoothie thin in texture. Blend the mixture properly until the desired taste has been achieved.

Learn more about smoothie making here:

Storing Tips For Juice

  • Create Double Servings

Ideally, you should create two batches of juice per single juicing process. You can drink the first batch and then store the other one. This will maximize the full juice potential of your ingredients, and also prevent unnecessary wastage from happening.

  • Storing in the Containers

You should not store the juice in the refrigerator or any container for longer than 72 hours. If you are bringing juice along on a short excursion, store it in a cooler or specialized airtight container. This will keep both the juice’s taste and deliciousness.

Always keep the container full to make it is airtight, as oxygen can cause the juice to lose all of its nutrients. Also, make sure it is not exposed to harmful elements like light and heat. 

  • Freezing

You can also freeze the juice. But this will make the flavor less tasty and desirable. If you are planning to freeze the juice, make sure that it is done right after the juicing process. Melt the frozen juice in your refrigerator and then drink it within five days. 

Tools Of The Trade

If you want to quench your thirst, drinking iced tea is a good idea. You can always make it in the traditional manner. But, if you crave the right flavor and temperature, you must have an iced tea maker. With this device, you can easily make this beverage, regardless of the number of servings that you have to make. I have spotted several great iced tea makers during my research. You can see them here!

People who are huge fans of citrus juice (such as orange and lemon juice) should definitely have a citrus juicer in their kitchen. This particular kitchen appliance is a hassle-free way of preparing this drink. You might already know how difficult it is to extract juice out of these fruits manually. In contrast, a citrus juicer is more convenient and will make your life comfortable.

If you want your juice to acquire all of the essential nutrients from its source, you better get a masticating juicer. It is true that this device is on the expensive side, but you should understand that these juicers are far from ordinary. They will chew and grind your ingredients until all of the extracts have been squeezed out. Regardless of whether you want fruit or vegetable juice, this device can guarantee that you get the most out of them.

These blenders are not the typical ones you will see in many kitchens today. A protein shake is a unique recipe. Most protein powders today have a rather clumpy and chalky texture. They tend to get sticky, especially if you mix them with a spoon. A specialized blender can solve this problem for you. It can cope with these ingredients if you add other elements, such as your favorite fruit and vegetables!

If you want a compact blender that will fit nicely into your small kitchen, you must invest in a personal blender. This particular tool still has the capacity to make various recipes for smoothies and shakes. Some of the models can even create purees! For people who want to dispose of their big, bulky blenders, these compact personal blenders might be a great alternative.

If you want to have a device that can crush thick ice for your shakes and smoothies, you better get the best blender on the market. Unlike specialized blenders, an all-around blender possesses more power to deal with tough ingredients, such as vegetables and ice. I have listed all of the top-rated options for this tool here. Check them out!

If you want to refine the taste and texture of your wine, so that it reaches the next level of finesse, you will need to get a wine aerator. This wine accessory aerates your wine, which ensures that it will reach the optimal level of oxidation and evaporation. After these chemical reactions have taken place, the flavor of the wine will improve significantly. Aerators are also way better than decanters. You can learn more about wine aerators by checking out this content.

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