Can you juice fresh cranberries?

Cranberries are a superfood that offers many health benefits. They are loaded with antioxidants, vitamin C, and other important nutrients. While cranberry juice is popular and readily available in stores, many people wonder if it’s possible to juice fresh cranberries at home. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at juicing fresh cranberries, including the benefits, downsides, and steps for how to juice them.

Nutritional Benefits of Cranberry Juice

Before diving into how to juice cranberries, let’s first look at why you’d want to. Cranberry juice offers many impressive health benefits.

Here are some of the top nutrients found in cranberry juice and their benefits:

Nutrient	Benefits
Vitamin C	Boosts immunity, acts as an antioxidant, promotes skin health
Vitamin E	Powerful antioxidant that can protect cells from damage
Vitamin K1	Important for blood clotting and bone health
Manganese	Involved in metabolism, bone health, and wound healing
Antioxidants like flavonoids and anthocyanins	Protects cells from damage, reduces inflammation, may lower risk of chronic diseases

In addition to being packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, cranberry juice has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) (1).

Some research also indicates that cranberries could help reduce the frequency of UTIs and may help prevent stomach ulcers (2, 3).

Downsides of Juicing Cranberries

Although juicing fresh cranberries comes with some excellent health benefits, there are a few downsides to consider as well.

Here are some of the main downsides of cranberry juice:

• May contain high amounts of oxalates, which could be problematic for people prone to kidney stones
• Has a very tart, sour taste that some find unpalatable
• Fresh cranberries tend to be expensive, especially when juicing large quantities
• Cannot be stored as juice for extended periods
• The process can be time-consuming and messy
• May contain less fiber than eating whole cranberries

While cranberry juice still offers benefits, some people may find it’s simply more convenient and budget-friendly to take cranberry extract supplements or use cranberry powder. This allows you to get beneficial compounds from cranberries without having to juice them yourself.

Selecting Fresh Cranberries for Juicing

If you decide to juice fresh cranberries, it’s important to start with high quality fresh berries. Here are some tips for picking the best cranberries:

• Look for berries that are firm and plump.
• Avoid shriveled, mushy, or bruised cranberries.
• Opt for cranberries with a rich, vibrant red color.
• Inspect berries and remove any stems or damaged cranberries.
• Buy organic cranberries when possible to minimize pesticide exposure.

Cranberries are in season during the fall, with peak months being October and November. This is the best time to find fresh cranberries for juicing. During other times of the year, you may need to use frozen cranberries.

Equipment Needed for Juicing Cranberries

To juice fresh cranberries at home, there are a few key pieces of equipment you’ll need:

• Juicer: You’ll need a sturdy juicer that can handle juicing berries. Masticating juicers or slow juicers work best vs. centrifugal juicers.
• Cutting board and knife: Use to chop cranberries to prep them for juicing.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for portioning out cranberries and collecting the fresh juice.
• Cheesecloth or nut milk bag: If your juicer doesn’t already have one, this can help strain pulp from the juice.
• Resealable glass jar or bottle: Lets you store the juice to drink later.

You may also want to have a large bowl on hand to collect the fresh cranberries as you clean and chop them.

How to Juice Fresh Cranberries

Follow these simple steps for juicing fresh cranberries at home:

1. Rinse the fresh cranberries and remove any damaged berries or debris. Pat dry.
2. Chop cranberries into smaller pieces. This helps release the juice.
3. Feed the chopped cranberries into your juicer. Juice according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Pour the fresh cranberry juice through a cheesecloth or nut milk bag to strain out the pulp if needed.
5. Store the juice in a covered glass jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
6. Enjoy the juice on its own, or use it to make smoothies, cocktails, salad dressings, marinades, and more.

If using frozen cranberries, allow them to partially thaw first for 30-60 minutes before juicing so they don’t jam your juicer.

Here are a few quick tips for getting the most juice from fresh cranberries:

• Mix cranberries with apple, carrots, or lemon. This adds a touch of sweetness and more juice.
• Alternate cranberries with pieces of apple while juicing.
• Soak cranberries in water for 30 minutes first to soften them before juicing.
• Add just a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the juice to offset the tartness.

Cranberry Juice Recipe

This simple cranberry apple juice recipe blends tart cranberries with sweet apples and lemon. It makes a refreshing and antioxidant-rich beverage.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 2 apples, cored and quartered
• 1 lemon, peeled

Instructions

1. Rinse cranberries and chop into smaller pieces.
2. Juice the cranberries, apples, and lemon together through an electronic juicer.
3. Stir or shake juice to combine. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

This cranberry juice recipe makes about 2 cups of juice. Drink it right away or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

The Bottom Line

Juicing fresh cranberries at home lets you take advantage of the many health benefits of cranberries in juice form. While the process can be somewhat messy and time-consuming compared to buying pre-made cranberry juice, the homemade version contains no added sugars or preservatives.

If you want to try making your own cranberry juice, be sure to select fresh, firm cranberries at the peak of ripeness. Rinse and chop the cranberries, then run them through a masticating juicer for the best results. For maximum nutrition and flavor, enjoy your fresh cranberry juice within a few days of making it.