Can you put whole kiwi in a juicer?
Kiwis are a nutritious and delicious fruit that can be enjoyed in many ways. Their sweet, tangy flavor makes them a popular addition to fruit salads, desserts, and smoothies. Many people also enjoy drinking kiwi juice as a refreshing and healthy beverage.
If you want to make kiwi juice at home, you may wonder if you can put whole kiwis into a juicer. The short answer is yes, you can juice whole kiwis with the skin on. However, there are some things to keep in mind when juicing whole kiwis to get the best results.
Benefits of Juicing Whole Kiwis
There are a few advantages to juicing kiwis whole rather than peeling them first:
- More fiber – The skin and seeds of kiwi contain dietary fiber. Leaving the skin on provides extra fiber to your juice for improved digestion and heart health.
- More nutrients – Kiwis’ nutrients are concentrated in or near the skin, so leaving it on retains more vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium in your juice.
- Saves time – Not having to peel the kiwis first makes juicing faster and easier with less prep work.
- Extra flavor – Some juicers find that leaving the fuzzy kiwi peel on adds a subtle tart flavor that balances out the sweetness.
Challenges of Juicing Whole Kiwis
However, there are also some potential downsides to be aware of when putting whole kiwis in a juicer:
- Bitter flavor – If the peel ends up shredded rather than being discarded, it can make the juice taste unpleasantly bitter.
- Grainy texture – The seeds and fibers from the kiwi can give the juice a gritty, pulpy consistency if not adequately strained.
- Foam – The fuzzy peel results in more froth on top of the juice.
- Clogs – Kiwi skins can get caught in juicer parts and clog the machine if not ejected properly.
Best Practices for Juicing Whole Kiwis
Here are some tips to get the best results when juicing kiwis with the peel on:
- Wash thoroughly – Scrub the kiwis under running water to remove dirt, chemicals, or microbes lurking on the skin.
- Remove ends – Slice off the top and bottom ends of the kiwis. This prevents the ends from clogging the juicer.
- Use a strong juicer – Choose a powerful juicer with metal augers that can grind through kiwi skins with ease.
- Alternate kiwi with other produce – Putting kiwi pieces in between chunks of fruits/veggies like apples, lemons, cucumbers, or celery helps push the skins through the auger.
- Strain the juice – Pour through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to catch any pieces of peel or seeds.
- Drink immediately – Consume the kiwi juice right after making it for the best flavor and nutritional value.
Best Juicers for Whole Kiwis
These types of juicers typically handle whole kiwis the best:
| Juicer | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Centrifugal juicers | Fast spinning blades shred through kiwi skins easily |
| Masticating juicers | Augers power through kiwi peel with slower crushing/pressing |
| Triturating juicers | Dual augers provide the most torque to juice kiwis whole |
Some top-rated models include:
- Breville Centrifugal Juicer
- Omega Masticating Juicer
- Super Angel Triturating Juicer
Kiwi Juice Recipes
Here are a few tasty kiwi juice recipes to try that go well with juicing kiwis whole:
Kiwi Apple Juice
- 2 kiwis
- 2 apples
- 1 lemon
Kiwi Spinach Smoothie
- 2 kiwis
- 1 cup spinach
- 1 banana
- 1 cup coconut water
Green Kiwi Juice
- 3 kiwis
- 1 cucumber
- 1 celery stalk
- Handful of parsley
- 1-inch ginger
Storing Kiwi Juice
For best quality, drink your homemade kiwi juice immediately after juicing. If you need to store any leftover juice:
- Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Drink within 24-48 hours for peak freshness.
- Avoid freezing, as this can degrade nutrients and texture.
The Bottom Line
Juicing whole kiwis with the peel on is doable with the right juicer and proper preparation. While you’ll retain more nutritional benefits, be aware of potential drawbacks like bitterness, texture issues, and clogging. For the best experience, opt for a powerful juicer, alternate kiwi with other produce, and strain the finished juice. With the right process, you can enjoy all the added nutrition and flavor of juicing kiwis whole.