Juicing has become an increasingly popular way to get more nutrients from fruits and vegetables. Fresh juice made at home can provide a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some people juice to detox, lose weight, or boost energy. Others simply enjoy the delicious flavors of fresh-squeezed juice.
When it comes to juice ingredients, most fruits and veggies are fair game. However, strawberries require a bit more consideration. Here’s what you need to know about juicing strawberries and whether they belong in your juicing recipes.
The basics of juicing strawberries
Strawberries are soft, juicy berries that blend up easily. They can certainly go into a juicer just like other fruits and veggies. However, strawberries have some drawbacks when it comes to juicing:
- Low juice yield – Strawberries are approximately 90% water. Yet they don’t produce nearly as much juice as water-rich fruits like oranges or grapes. You’ll need a lot of strawberries to get a decent amount of juice.
- Pulp and seeds – Strawberry juice tends to be thick with pulp and seeds. Some find the texture unappealing. Sieves and filters can help strain out some of the pulp.
- Quick spoilage – Strawberry juice doesn’t keep long before it starts to ferment. It’s best consumed immediately.
- Strong flavor – Strawberries have a distinct, sweet flavor. In large amounts, the taste can overpower other ingredients.
On the plus side, strawberries provide beneficial nutrients and a tasty flavor to juice recipes. As long as you account for the downsides above, they can be a good addition to the mix.
Choosing the right juicer for strawberries
To make the most out of strawberries, you’ll need the right juicer. Here are some juicer options and considerations for juicing strawberries:
Centrifugal juicers
Centrifugal juicers are the most common juicers on the market. They use a rapidly spinning blade to shred produce, then strain the juice from the pulp through a sieve.
The pros of centrifugal juicers for strawberries:
- Fast and efficient
- Inexpensive compared to other types
- Ejects pulp, so less pulp in finished juice
The cons:
- Not great juice yields from soft fruits like strawberries
- Juice oxidizes quickly
- Loud
Masticating juicers
Masticating juicers, also called slow or cold-press juicers, crush produce at slow speeds. They compress fruits and veggies to squeeze out the juice.
The pros:
- High juice yields from soft produce like strawberries
- Minimal oxidation so juice lasts longer
- Quiet operation
The cons:
- Slower than centrifugal models
- Higher price points
- More pulp in juice
Citrus juicers
As the name implies, citrus juicers are designed specially for juicing citrus fruits. They work by pressing and grinding the juice from the flesh.
The pros:
- Great for lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit
- Affordable prices
- Easy to use and clean
The cons:
- Only intended for citrus fruits
- Small capacities
- Lower yields than other types
Citrus juicers won’t work for strawberries. But adding a squeeze of citrus can enhance strawberry juice by adding acidity and cutting sweetness.
Best practices for juicing strawberries
Follow these tips to get the most out of strawberries and make tasty juice blends:
- Wash thoroughly. Give strawberries a good rinse before juicing to remove dirt and residues.
- Remove greens. Clip off the green tops to prevent a grassy flavor.
- Use ripe berries. For maximum sweetness and juice, allow strawberries to fully ripen.
- Consider mashing first. Lightly mashing berries can boost juice output.
- Combine with other produce. For more juice and balanced flavor, blend with fruits like apples, grapes, kiwi.
- Drink ASAP. Consume strawberry juice right after making it to prevent spoilage.
- Store properly. If saving any leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container and drink within 12-24 hours.
Potential health benefits
Drinking strawberry juice can provide some great health perks. Here are some of the top nutrients and benefits strawberries offer:
Vitamin C
One serving of strawberry juice provides over 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. Vitamin C supports immune function and acts as an antioxidant to reduce cellular damage.
Manganese
Strawberries contain manganese, a mineral important for bone health and regulating blood sugar.
Antioxidants
The anthocyanins that give strawberries their red color are powerful antioxidants that may help protect heart health and lower inflammation.
Fiber
If you include the pulp, strawberry juice can provide a modest amount of fiber, which benefits digestive and heart health.
Research also suggests strawberry phytochemicals may have anti-cancer effects by inhibiting tumor growth. The ellagic acid in strawberries demonstrates anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties as well.
Keep in mind that juicing removes the beneficial fiber from whole strawberries. By juicing the berries, you’ll get a concentrated dose of vitamins and antioxidants but miss out on the fiber content. Consider blending some back into the finished juice.
Potential downsides of strawberry juice
Strawberry juice provides concentrated nutrition, but there are some potential drawbacks to consider as well:
- High sugar content – Strawberries are fairly high in natural sugars. Consuming a lot of the juice could spike blood sugar levels.
- Loss of fiber – Juicing eliminates the skin and pulp, removing much of the filling fiber.
- Nutrient degradation – Some of the vitamin C and antioxidant content degrades shortly after juicing strawberries.
- Pesticide exposure – Strawberries tend to be heavily sprayed with pesticides. Choose organic for juice when possible.
For people with diabetes or weight concerns, the high sugar and low fiber content of strawberry juice may be disadvantageous. Eating whole berries would provide more balanced nutrition.
Delicious strawberry juice recipes
Strawberry juice blends beautifully with other fruits and veggies. Try out these tasty and nutritious strawberry juice ideas:
1. Strawberry Green Juice
This green juice recipe packs in strawberry nutrition while mellowing the flavor with cucumber and lemon. Makes two 8-ounce servings.
- 1 cup strawberries, tops removed
- 1 cucumber, peeled
- 1 Granny Smith apple, cored
- 1 lemon, peeled
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger
- 1 cup baby spinach
Juice all ingredients in a masticating juicer and stir to combine. Serve chilled over ice.
2. Strawberry Apple Carrot Juice
For a nutrient-dense beverage, try this juice combining strawberries, apples, and carrots. Makes two 10-ounce servings.
- 1 cup strawberries
- 2 medium carrots, peeled
- 1 apple, cored
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Juice ingredients together in a centrifugal juicer. Stir in lime juice and enjoy.
3. Strawberry Pineapple Mint Juice
The tropical flavors of pineapple and mint perfectly complement the strawberries. Makes two 6-ounce servings.
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 1/2 cup loosely packed mint leaves
- 1 lime, peeled
Juice all ingredients in a masticating juicer. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with mint sprigs.
The bottom line
Strawberries make a tasty and nutrition-packed addition to freshly made juices. Their sweet flavor pairs deliciously with other fruits and green veggies. For best results, be sure to juice strawberries soon after purchase and enjoy the juice right away. With a little trial and error, you can discover amazing strawberry juice recipes your whole family will love.
