Can you make juice from frozen fruit?

Making fresh fruit juice at home is a delicious and healthy way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. But what if you don’t have access to fresh produce? Can you still make juice using frozen fruit?

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely make juice from frozen fruit. In fact, there are some advantages to using frozen over fresh when making homemade juices. Read on to learn more about how to make juice from frozen fruit, the pros and cons, and some tips for making delicious frozen fruit juices at home.

How to Make Juice from Frozen Fruit

Making juice from frozen fruit is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step overview:

1. Thaw the frozen fruit – Let the frozen fruit thaw completely before juicing. This allows the fruit to release its juices.
2. Wash the fruit – Give the thawed fruit a quick rinse under running water.
3. Remove any seeds, stems or peels – For fruits like mangoes or cherries, you’ll want to pit and peel them before juicing.
4. Chop the fruit – Cut the fruit into smaller pieces which will feed through your juicer more easily.
5. Juice the fruit – Feed the chopped frozen fruit through your juicer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Enjoy immediately – Drink your frozen fruit juice right away for maximum nutrition and flavor.

Be sure to stir or shake the juice before drinking as separation can occur. You can also pour the juice into ice cube trays and freeze to enjoy later. Frozen fruit juice cubes make fun popsicles too!

Pros and Cons of Juicing Frozen vs. Fresh Fruit

There are some advantages and disadvantages to juicing with frozen fruit compared to fresh. Here is a quick look at some of the key pros and cons:

Pros:

• Convenience – Frozen fruit is picked and frozen at peak ripeness so you can enjoy fruit whenever you want.
• Extended shelf life – Frozen fruit lasts much longer than fresh so there is less food waste.
• More affordable – Out of season fresh fruit is expensive but frozen costs less year-round.
• Smoother texture – Blending frozen fruit creates a thicker, creamier juice.
• Nutrient retention – The freezing process helps retain nutrients like vitamins A and C.

Cons:

• Loss of texture – The cell walls break down during freezing, softening the fruit’s flesh.
• Watered down flavor – Ice crystals form during freezing which can dilute the fruit’s taste.
• Oxidation – Frozen fruit is more prone to browning or oxidation during juicing.
• Difficulty juicing – Hard frozen fruits don’t juice well and must be fully thawed first.

Overall, the convenience and affordability of using frozen fruit outweighs the negatives for most home juice makers. Combining frozen and fresh produce is one way to optimize texture, flavor and nutrients.

Tips for Making the Best Frozen Fruit Juice

Follow these simple tips and tricks to make delicious and nutritious juice using frozen fruit:

• Choose unsweetened varieties without added sugar or preservatives.
• Try a mix of frozen and fresh fruits and veggies.
• Drink immediately or freeze into popsicles to avoid separation.
• Add lemon juice to prevent browning of light colored fruits.
• Use a high power juicer for best extraction and yield.
• Mix and match flavors like mango peach or strawberry banana.
• Sweeten with honey, maple syrup or stevia if desired.
• Add yogurt or milk for a frozen fruit smoothie.

Best Fruits for Juicing from Frozen

Most fruits can be juiced after thawing from frozen. However, some varieties yield tastier results than others. Here are some of the best fruits to use:

Fruit	Benefits
Berries	Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and raspberries make colorful, nutrient-rich juice.
Cherries	Tart cherries have anti-inflammatory properties.
Mango	Packed with vitamin A and fiber, mango adds tropical flavor.
Pineapple	Pineapple juice contains the enzyme bromelain which aids digestion.
Peach	Peaches have vitamin C, potassium and lutein for healthy skin and eyes.
Pomegranate	Pomegranate juice has three times the antioxidant capacity of green tea.

Mix and match your favorite frozen fruits to create custom flavor combinations. Try pairing tropical fruits like mango, pineapple and coconut or go for a berry juice medley. Get creative!

Recipe: Mixed Berry Frozen Fruit Juice

This simple frozen berry juice recipe makes 2 servings:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• 1 frozen banana, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup apple juice

Instructions:

1. Thaw berries until soft enough to juice.
2. Peel and chop banana while fruit thaws.
3. Juice the thawed berries and banana.
4. Add apple juice and stir to combine.
5. Pour into glasses over ice and enjoy!

For added sweetness, add a spoonful of honey or maple syrup to taste. You can also substitute fresh fruit for any of the frozen varieties. This antioxidant-rich beverage makes a perfectly portable breakfast on busy mornings.

Storing Your Frozen Fruit Juice

To retain maximum nutrition and flavor, it’s best to drink your frozen fruit juice immediately after making it. But here are some tips if you want to store it for a bit:

• Fridge – Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
• Freezer – Freeze in ice cube trays or popsicle molds for up to 3 months.
• Canning – Follow proper canning methods to store in sealed jars for 4-6 months.

Be sure to leave headspace and use sterilized containers for long term storage. Thaw frozen juice cubes before drinking for the best texture and taste.

Conclusion

Juicing with frozen fruit is an easy way to reap the nutritional benefits of fruits and veggies any time of year. Thawed frozen produce can be juiced just like fresh varieties with some added advantages. While the texture and concentration of flavors may differ slightly, frozen fruit juices can be just as healthy, delicious and convenient for making at home.

Be creative with your favorite frozen fruits and consider combining with veggies and fresh produce too. Drink your juices as soon as possible once made or freeze into ice cubes or pops for later. Making juice from frozen fruit helps reduce food waste while still delivering vital antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. So go ahead and juice those frozen fruits and veggies!