Celery juice has become an increasingly popular health drink in recent years, with many claiming it provides a range of benefits like reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and detoxifying the body. With its powerful motor and sharp blades, a Vitamix blender seems like an ideal way to make fresh celery juice at home.
Introduction
Celery juice is made by juicing celery stalks, often consuming it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. It provides an easy way to get a concentrated dose of celery’s nutrients and natural compounds. While it’s typically made with a juicer, some have wondered if you can also use a blender like the Vitamix to make celery juice.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the potential pros and cons of using a Vitamix for celery juicing. We’ll compare how it differs from a standard juicer and examine some key factors to consider. Read on to learn if a Vitamix can deliver the same fresh, potent celery juice as a dedicated juicer!
How Celery Juice is Typically Made
First, let’s look at the usual way celery juice is made. To extract the most juice from celery stalks, a juicing machine is most often used. There are two main types of juicers:
- Centrifugal juicers: These use a fast spinning metal blade to grind celery stalks, then spin the juice away from the pulp into a container.
- Cold press or masticating juicers: They crush and “chew” the celery through gears or augers, then press the juice out through a screen while the pulp stays behind.
Both types separate the fibrous pulp from the liquid juice. Juicers remove some of the insoluble fiber but retain most of the nutrients and plant compounds in celery. The resulting juice contains the juice extracted from the celery, without any extra water or ingredients added.
Can You Make Celery Juice in a Blender?
While juicers extract the liquid parts from the solid parts, blenders simply mix everything together into a purée. Rather than separating pulp and juice, blenders like the Vitamix chop and blend all the celery pieces with the juice still inside.
So yes, you can technically make celery juice in a high-powered blender like the Vitamix. However, there are some important differences between blender celery juice and juicer celery juice:
| Juicer Celery Juice | Blender Celery Juice |
|---|---|
| Contains only extracted liquid juice | Contains blended juice and pulp |
| Lower fiber content | Higher fiber content |
| Clear, thin liquid | Thicker, smoother consistency |
| Quick, easy straining | May require straining pulp |
| Designed for juice extraction | Designed for blending/mixing |
While you can make something similar to celery juice in a blender, it won’t have the same nutritional profile or texture as juice produced by a juicer. The Vitamix blender will retain much of the insoluble fiber and pulp, creating more of a thick celery shake.
Factors to Consider
There are several factors to think about when deciding whether to use a Vitamix blender or juicer for celery juice:
Fiber Content
Juicers remove a significant amount of the fiber from celery, while blenders retain all the insoluble fiber. If you’re looking to follow a low-fiber celery juice diet, a dedicated juicing machine would be better suited.
Texture
Celery juice from a juicer has a very smooth, drinkable consistency. Blender celery juice is much thicker, with a texture more like a smoothie. If texture is important, juicers produce a finer juice.
Convenience
Juicers require little prep and provide a quick way to make celery juice. The Vitamix can blend celery juice but may require an extra straining step to filter out excess pulp if a thinner juice is desired.
Versatility
The Vitamix is an incredibly versatile blender capable of making smoothies, nut butters, soups, nut milk, and much more. Juicers are typically only designed for juice extraction. So the Vitamix provides more functionality.
Price
Quality juicers often cost $100-300, while Vitamix blenders start around $289 and go up to $589 or more. So if you don’t already own a Vitamix, a basic juicer may be more budget-friendly.
Nutrients
Both methods retain most of celery’s important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and beneficial plant compounds. However, according to tested nutrition analysis, juicers result in celery juice with slightly higher levels of certain micronutrients like vitamins C, A, and K.
Pros and Cons of Using a Vitamix for Celery Juice
Based on the key differences and factors above, here is a summary of the potential advantages and disadvantages of using a Vitamix to make celery juice compared to a dedicated juicer:
Potential Pros
- More versatile appliance, capable of making smoothies, soups, nut butters, etc.
- May provide more satiation due to higher fiber content
- Likely more affordable option if you already own a Vitamix
- Requires less separate appliances in your kitchen
- Easier to blend in extra ingredients like lemon, ginger, or apple
Potential Cons
- Does not fully extract juice from pulp like a juicer
- Results in thicker, smoother consistency rather than liquid juice
- May retain more insoluble fiber depending on preferences
- Could require straining or filtering blended pulp
- May slightly reduce levels of some micronutrients
- Not designed solely for juicing like a dedicated machine
Tips for Using a Vitamix for Celery Juice
If you decide to make celery juice with a Vitamix, here are some tips for the best results:
- Wash and chop celery stalks into 2-3 inch pieces first.
- Combine with a small amount of water, around 1/4 to 1/2 cup.
- Blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds until smooth.
- Strain blended juice through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine mesh sieve if desired.
- Press pulp to extract any remaining liquid.
- Drink immediately for best flavor and nutritional value.
- Consider adding lemon, ginger, mint, or apple for extra flavor.
- Store any leftover juice in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people drink celery juice?
Many drink celery juice for its potential health benefits. It contains antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols. Some claim it can help with digestion, hydration, detoxification, inflammation, energy, and more. The benefits are debated, but its low calories and nutrients make it a healthy choice.
What’s the best time to drink celery juice?
Most recommend drinking it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is said to maximize nutrient absorption in your body. Drinking it 15-30 minutes before eating is ideal. Some also drink smaller amounts later in the day.
Does blended celery juice have the same benefits?
Most benefits should remain intact, but some nutrition loss may occur with blending. Juicers extract the maximum liquid, while blenders keep more fiber. There’s little research comparing health effects. But both provide lots of beneficial nutrients from celery.
Can you add ingredients to celery juice?
Yes, it’s common to add lemon juice, ginger, mint, parsley, apple, or other fruits/veggies. This can boost the flavor and nutrient content. Juicers make it harder to add whole ingredients compared to a blender. But both allow you to create tasty celery juice combinations.
Is celery juice safe to drink daily?
For most people it is safe to drink 8-16 ounces daily. However, celery contains certain compounds that may interact with some medications. Check with your doctor first, and introduce it gradually to assess tolerance. Don’t drink too much if you’re sodium sensitive.
The Bottom Line
While it’s possible to make celery juice in a Vitamix, there are some notable differences from the end product of a juicer. Juicers extract the maximum liquid while removing insoluble fiber. Blenders pulverize all parts of the celery together into a smooth consistency with higher fiber content.
Factors like texture, versatility, convenience, and cost may determine whether the Vitamix is the right choice over a dedicated juicer. Make sure to strain blended celery juice for a smoother texture. Overall, the Vitamix provides a reasonable alternative for making celery juice, but juicers are specially designed to separate pulp and optimize the juice.
