Do you peel the orange before juicing Breville?

Juicing oranges to make fresh, homemade orange juice is a delicious and nutritious way to start the day. When using a Breville citrus juicer, there is often debate around whether oranges should be peeled before juicing or juiced whole with peel on.

Table of Contents

Pros and Cons of Peeling Oranges Before Juicing

There are benefits and drawbacks to both peeling oranges before juicing and juicing them whole with the peel on. Here is an overview of the pros and cons:

Pros of Peeling Oranges Before Juicing

Removes bitter white pith which can add bitterness to juice
Prevents clogging of juicer from pith and peel
Results in smoother, pulp-free juice

Easier to clean up – no peel or pith left in juicer

Cons of Peeling Oranges Before Juicing

Takes more time and labor to peel oranges
Loss of some nutrients, fiber, and flavor from peel

Peels can be slippery and difficult to peel
More waste produced from peels

Pros of Juicing Oranges Whole With Peel

Faster and easier – no peeling required

Retains more nutrients, fiber, and flavor from peel
Less waste – uses entire orange

Cons of Juicing Oranges Whole With Peel

Bitter taste from pith

Pulpier juice with bits of peel
Potential to clog juicer
More difficult to clean juicer after

Overall, there are good arguments for both peeling and not peeling oranges before juicing. The choice comes down to personal preference and priorities.

Nutrition Comparison of Orange Juice With and Without Peel

One factor to consider is the nutrition content. Does juicing oranges with the peel on retain more nutrients? Here is a nutrition comparison:

Nutrient	Orange Juice Without Peel	Orange Juice With Peel
Calories	112 per cup	112 per cup
Total Carbohydrates	25 g	25 g
Sugar	21 g	21 g
Dietary Fiber	0.5 g	2 g
Protein	2 g	2 g
Vitamin C	124 mg	138 mg
Thiamin	0.1 mg	0.1 mg
Niacin	0.5 mg	0.5 mg
Vitamin B6	0.1 mg	0.1 mg
Folate	30 mcg	30 mcg
Potassium	496 mg	501 mg
Magnesium	27 mg	28 mg

As the table shows, juicing oranges with the peel provides a bit more vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, and magnesium compared to peeling them first. The differences are relatively minor though.

Tips for Juicing Oranges in a Breville Juicer

Here are some tips for getting the most out of oranges when using a Breville juicer, whether you peel them first or juice them whole:

1. Select ripe, fresh oranges

Choose oranges that feel heavy for their size with brightly colored, thin skins. Oranges should give slightly when squeezed. Avoid hard, pale oranges or those with thin, dry skin.

2. Wash oranges thoroughly

Wash oranges well before juicing to remove dirt, chemicals, and microbes. Scrub under running water or use a vegetable brush.

3. Roll oranges before juicing

Rolling oranges on a hard surface before juicing helps break down some of the pulp and release more juice.

4. Alternate orange halves while juicing

Put each halved orange in the juicer alternate sides down. This gets the most juice out.

5. Juice oranges early or store properly

Oranges are best juiced soon after peeling/cutting. If holding oranges halves before juicing, store them cut-side down covered in an airtight container to retain juice and freshness.

6. Combine oranges with other fruit

For more complex flavor, add oranges to vegetable and fruit juice blends. Oranges go well with apples, carrots, ginger, spinach, kale, berries, and more.

7. Drink juice right away

Drink freshly squeezed orange juice immediately to get the most nutrition and flavor. Juice begins losing nutrients quickly when exposed to air.

8. Wash juicer parts thoroughly

Take apart the juicer and wash all parts thoroughly after each use. This prevents residue from drying on and removes bitterness.

Breville Juicer Models for Oranges

Breville offers a wide range of juicer models. Here are some top options for juicing oranges:

Breville 800JEXL Juice Fountain Elite

Powerful 1000-watt motor
Extra-wide 3-inch feed chute

Stainless steel cutting disc surrounded by Italian mesh filter
Circular extraction technology for high juice yield
Large capacity pulp collector

Dishwasher-safe parts

Breville JE98XL Juice Fountain Plus

850-watt dual speed motor
Extra-large 3-inch centered feed tube

Stainless steel micromesh filter
Safety locking arm
Overload protection LED

Dishwasher-safe parts

Breville Citrus Press CJ400

25 watt citrus press
Acid-resistant die-cast cone

Two adjustable stainless steel filters
Rubber-tipped plunger for maximum juice extraction
Fine and coarse strainer options

Auto-reversing universal motor

Ideal Oranges for Juicing Varieties

There are many different orange varieties, but some types are better for juicing than others. Here are good options:

Navel Oranges

Sweet, bold flavor

Thick skins peel easily
Seedless
Available winter through early spring

Valencia Oranges

Thin, bright orange skin
Juicy with few seeds
Sweet flavor

Available spring through summer

Cara Cara Oranges

Pink flesh
Low acid, sweet flavor

Medium thick peel
Few or no seeds
Available winter through spring

Blood Oranges

Beautiful dark red flesh
Berry flavor notes
Thinner peel

Medium acidity
Available winter through early spring

Navel and Valencia oranges are ideal for getting maximum juice. Cara cara and blood oranges add more unique flavor.

Preparing Oranges and Equipment for Juicing

Proper preparation and equipment makes orange juicing easier. Here are some tips:

Cutting Board and Sharp Knife

Use a sturdy cutting board and sharp knife when peeling oranges. A serrated knife works well to slice oranges in half before juicing.

Citrus Reamer or Juicer

A manual or electric citrus juicer or reamer makes quick work of squeezing out orange juice. Breville’s motorized citrus press is ideal.

Resealable Storage Containers

If prepping oranges in advance, store peeled halves in airtight glass or plastic containers to retain moisture and freshness.

Mesh Strainer or Cheesecloth

Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove pulp and seeds when straining orange juice after juicing.

Glass Jars or Bottles

Dispense strained orange juice into glass jars, bottles, or an airtight pitcher to store. Glass helps maintain fresh taste.

Reusable Straws

Drink fresh orange juice using reusable glass, stainless steel, or bamboo straws. Avoid plastic waste from disposable straws.

Step-By-Step Juicing Process

Follow these simple steps for juicing oranges in a Breville with optimal results:

1. Prepare oranges

Wash oranges thoroughly. Peel if desired. Cut oranges lengthwise into halves or quarters to fit feed chute.

2. Assemble juicer parts

Make sure the juicer is unplugged. Follow manual to properly assemble all parts like the filter bowl, lid, juicing screw, and pulp collector.

3. Juice oranges

Turn juicer on, drop orange halves/quarters into the feed chute, using the push rod to guide them through. Alternate direction of orange halves for max juice.

4. Collect and strain juice

Let juice run out into a pitcher or jars. Pour through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove excess pulp if desired.

5. Clean juicer

Disassemble juicer parts. Rinse and wash all parts thoroughly. Dry and reassemble juicer.

6. Store juice

Transfer strained juice to storage jars or bottles. Seal and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Troubleshooting Juicing Oranges

Having trouble juicing oranges? Here are some common issues and solutions:

Problem	Solution
Low orange juice yield	Apply pressure on push rod when feeding oranges through. Rotate orange halves when juicing. Ensure oranges are fresh and ripe.
Pulp in juice	Strain juice through mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove excess pulp.
Bitter taste	Ensure all pith is removed if peeling oranges. Juice isn’t spoiled, but bitterness is from pith.
Juicer jamming	Cut oranges into smaller pieces to fit feed chute. Alternate direction of orange halves while juicing. Ensure juicer parts are assembled correctly.
Juice leaks from juicer	Check that juicer parts are securely locked into place. Wipe up any spills right away.
Juicer overflowing	Pause juicing to empty pulp container. Don’t overfill feed chute with too much produce at once.

Storing and Using Leftover Orange Parts

Don’t let leftover orange peels, pulp, and seeds go to waste. Here are creative ways to use them:

Compost

Orange scraps can be added to a compost bin or pile for rich nutrient material. Their high acidity helps break down other items.

Candied Peels

Boil orange peels in a sugar syrup solution, then coat with sugar and dry for a sweet snack or dessert topping.

Orange Vinegar

Add peels and pulp to white vinegar and steep for a few weeks to infuse the vinegar with orange flavor.

Air Freshener

Simmer orange peels and cinnamon in water, then strain. Transfer liquid to a spray bottle to freshen rooms.

Natural Cleaner

Blend orange peels with water and vinegar in a blender. Transfer to a spray bottle to clean counters and other surfaces.

Potpourri

Dry leftover orange slices, peels, and pulp. Add to bowls along with cloves, cinnamon sticks, and pinecones for fragrant potpourri.

Delicious Orange Juice Recipe Ideas

Freshly squeezed orange juice is delicious on its own, but you can also use it to create tasty drinks. Here are recipe ideas:

Orange Sunrise Smoothie

Blend orange juice, mango, banana, Greek yogurt, ice, and honey for a creamy morning treat.

Orange Julius

For this classic, combine orange juice, vanilla ice cream, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a blender until smooth.

Sparkling Orange Spritzer

Mix orange juice, sparkling water, mint leaves, and optional vodka for a fizzy, refreshing cocktail.

Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

Process orange juice, vanilla yogurt, frozen banana slices, and vanilla protein powder for a dense, creamy smoothie.

Carrot Orange Juice

For a nutrition boost, juicing oranges and carrots together results in a sweet, earthy juice.

Citrus Berry Blast

Strawberries, raspberries, and orange juice make a tangy, antioxidant-rich beverage.

Conclusion

Making fresh orange juice with a Breville juicer is simple and rewarding. While peeling oranges first requires more work, it may result in smoother, cleaner juice that’s easier on the juicer. For convenience, juicing oranges whole including the peel makes efficient use of the entire fruit. Whichever you choose,