“An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” it is said. Apples and apple juice promote a healthy body and mind, but they also aid in developing muscles. Apple juice is also one of the tastiest and most popular among children.
Many people are concerned about their homemade apple juice becoming brown and losing its hue. Don’t let this deter you from creating excellent apple juice at home. Fruits with more acid have a more awesome acid content, and this means they won’t rust as rapidly and will last a long time with a natural light color. On the other hand, sweet juice does not have to be brown. If you add a little citric acid, lemon juice, or a crushed vitamin C tablet, the apple juice will hold its color.
Apples are grown throughout the world, and the fruit helps the body stay healthy and fit. The delightful fruit is available in over 7,000 different types and comes in stunning red, green, and yellow hues. Apple is high in vitamins and other critical components that contribute to the body’s vigor and vitality. It has a delicious taste and a tart hue.
Apple Juice Nutrition Facts
What is Exactly Apple Juice?
A form of fruit juice prepared from the pulp of apples that have been juiced. The pulp has been eliminated, and the liquid is quite clear. This juice is commonly used to flavor meats or impart a sweet apple flavor to dressings and sauces. Apple cider and apple juice are similar, but few exceptions. Apple cider is unfiltered and may have no preservatives, whereas apple juice is filtered and may include preservatives. Furthermore, apple cider is not always pasteurized, but apple juice is. Apple juice and apple cider can be used interchangeably in recipes from the United States without generating a significant difference in the end product.
How to Make Apple Juice?
Ingredients
- Apples: Choose the apple variety based on how sweet/tart you wish the apple juice to be.
- Water: You can dilute the juice further with more water, coconut water, or even sparkling water.
- Other fruits: There are plenty of fruits that will pair with this homemade apple cider juice. Orange, blueberries, other berries, pineapple, guava, mango, etc.
- Sugar: 1 to 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or honey or raw sugar or maple syrup – optional
There are three main ways that you can easily use to make homemade apple juice at home, including with a juicer, blender, or manually (machine free).
If your apples are waxed, you’ll need to remove them first. Soak the apples for a few seconds in hot water with a splash of distilled vinegar (or ACV), then rinse them under cold tap water. Alternatively, clean the apples with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar on a paper towel.
Making Apple Juice With Blender
- Clean and chop the apples, discarding the core with the seeds. Optionally peel the apples.
- Then add the apple pieces to your blender along with ½ cup or so of water (or even orange juice) – this will help the machine blend the apples into a smooth(-ish) juicy, pulpy consistency.
- Finally, if you wish to remove the pulp, strain the mixture through a nut milk bag or a muslin cloth and squeeze it manually to get as much liquid as possible.
Using a Juicer
- Wash, and chop the apples – removing the inner core/seeds – into small pieces to fit your juicer chute. Optionally peel the apples.
- Then, feed the apple pieces into your juicer, and voila! Save the apple pulp to use later.
Squeezing the Juice Manually
Finally, there is a machine-free method. For this version:
- First, wash the apples if needed, and then grate them into a muslin/cheesecloth-lined bowl (or use a filter).
- Once grated, pull the cloth together, twist the top and wring it well/ squeeze by hand to remove as much liquid from the apples as possible.
To make things easier, freeze the shredded apple overnight and then let it defrost at room temperature before squeezing off the liquid. The apple will soften sufficiently as it thaws to make it easier to squeeze.
What are the Best Apples for Apple Juice?
There are many varieties of apples to choose from when it comes to apple selection. Which one you choose will be determined by your preferences for taste, acidity, sweetness, color, and other factors (as well as what is available).
- Fuji: round and red, with a creamy white interior. Fuji apples are wonderfully sweet and very juicy – perfect for homemade apple juice.
- Honeycrisp: due to the price, this isn’t an option. However, Honeycrisp apples are crunchy, sweet, and juicy with bright red skin.
- Gala: rounded, pale red/yellow coloring. Gala apples are firm and crisp with a slightly mild, sweet flavor with notes of vanilla. Make for a great drink.
- Red Delicious: deep red outside with a sweet yet mild flavor and high level of antioxidants. This apple is used a lot like a “lunchbox” style apple and is reasonably bland – but also low cost and can be boosted with other apples. It’s not super juicy, but still relatively juicy and makes for a great, balanced, all-purpose apple juice.
- Golden Delicious: golden yellow-green color with a sweet and slightly decadent, honey-like flavor.
- McIntosh: Mild sweet flavor but with a bold “apple” flavor – perfect for homemade apple juice with “apple cider juice” flavor.
What are the Health Benefits of Apple Juice?
Here are the health benefits of apple juice:
May Improve Heart Health
This juice may include increased potassium amounts, good news for your heart health. Potassium can act as a vasodilator, lowering the tension in your arteries and blood vessels, and it may aid in reducing stress and strain on the cardiovascular system. Furthermore, apple juice may help prevent cholesterol buildup in your arteries, a common cause of heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.
Might Boost Immunity
Apple juice may include a significant amount of vitamin C, an essential component of the immune system. Vitamin C can activate the immune system while also acting as an antioxidant that decreases inflammation and avoids oxidative damage.
Might Give Relief from Constipation
Apples may include malic acid, which can help promote liver function and speed up digestion. Constipation, cramping, bloating, and diarrhea symptoms may be relieved by drinking apple juice, which contains fiber and other stimulating minerals. It may also contain sorbitol, which may aid in smoothing the digestive tract and, therefore, the movement of stool.
Skin Care
Apples come in various forms, including fresh fruit and juice processed into apple vinegar, apple cider, or distillation. Apple juice is good for the skin since it is high in antioxidants and vitamin C. It aids in reducing swelling, irritation, and wrinkles, and it also helps prevent premature skin aging.
Protect Brain Health
Antioxidants are known to protect the body from oxidative stress. According to a comprehensive study published in the Advances in Nutrition journal in 2011, apple juice may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Another study from 2010 found that the antioxidants in this fruit juice may assist in alleviating the symptoms of neurological illnesses.
Other Benefits
- Eye health: Vitamin A present in apples might help to sharpen vision and is helpful for the eye.
- Haircare: Apple vinegar might contain compounds responsible for hair growth and adding luster to locks.
- Estrogen level: A chemical called phytoestrogen prevents estrogen levels from being affected. This process may regulate menstruation and reproduction.
- Word of caution: We seldom have a question, is apple juice acidic? The answer is yes; apple juice is acidic and may cause acid reflux. It is advisable to consult your doctor before regulating this juice in your diet.
How to Store Apple Juice?
Drink homemade apple juice within 24 hours for the optimum flavor and vitamin levels. However, leftover juice can be stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. As it oxidizes, it will turn brown.
Freeze any leftover juice as quickly as possible for optimal nutrient retention.
I recommend doing so in ice-cube trays for “portioned” juice. You can store the juice in the freezer for several months (4-6). You can then add the ice cubes to other drinks, smoothies, and slushies – or allow them to thaw in the fridge first.
Conclusion
One of the most excellent methods to use up surplus apples before they go wrong is to make apple juice. Fresh juice is a refreshing drink to present to guests or keep on hand for yourself. Apple juicing may be frightening at first but fear not. This guide covers all you need to know about making apple juice, including which apples to use, what supplies you’ll need, how to create a juice with and without a juicer, and how to store juice.
Choosing apples is the first stage in creating apple juice. For homemade juice, almost any apple will suffice, and different types, on the other hand, will produce a distinct flavor. Apple juice comes in three flavors: sweet, tart, and balanced. The fruit and its juice are high in vitamins, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, and they pack a powerful health punch. Apple juice, which is high in pectin and fiber, can help you feel more energized. As the richest source of phenolic compounds, it aids in the fight against common infections when consumed daily.
