Introduction
Kiwifruit, commonly known as kiwis, are a nutritious fruit that can be a great addition to fresh juices. Their sweet, tangy flavor pairs well with other fruits and vegetables to create a delicious and healthy juice. When making kiwi juice at home, it’s important to know the proper way to cut and prepare the kiwis to maximize the juice yield and avoid waste.
The first step is selecting ripe, fresh kiwis to use for juicing. The best kiwis for juicing have slightly soft flesh that gives a bit when gently pressed but are not mushy. Overripe kiwis may be too soft and underripe kiwis won’t have as much flavor and juice.
Once you have ripe kiwis, there are a few different ways you can cut them to get them ready for the juicer. The cutting method you use depends on the type of juicer you have and your personal preferences. Here is a detailed look at the most common ways to cut kiwis for juicing and the pros and cons of each method.
Cutting Kiwis in Half
One of the quickest and easiest ways to cut kiwis for juicing is simply cutting them in half. To do this:
- Wash the kiwi under running water and use a vegetable brush to scrub off any dirt or fuzz.
- Trim off both ends of the kiwi using a sharp knife.
- Position the kiwi on a cutting board with one of the trimmed ends facing up.
- Using a sharp chef’s knife, carefully slice the kiwi in half from top to bottom.
Cutting kiwis in half is fast and each half can be placed directly into the juicer. The main downside to this method is that the tough kiwi skin goes into the juicer rather than being peeled off. The skin contains beneficial nutrients and fiber but some find it unpalatable in juice. The skin can also get clogged in some juicers.
Peeling Kiwis and Cutting in Half
If you want to remove the skin before juicing, you can use a peeler before cutting the kiwi halves:
- Wash and trim the ends from the kiwi.
- Using a Y-shaped peeler, peel off the brown fuzzy skin from top to bottom, rotating the kiwi as you peel.
- Once peeled, place the kiwi on its side and slice in half from top to bottom.
- Use a spoon to scoop out any remaining skin around the center.
Peeling the skin first allows you to juice just the sweet, soft green kiwi flesh. It does take more time to prep. You also lose some fiber and nutrients contained in the skin. But you won’t have to deal with any unpleasant skin texture in your juice if you prefer to peel kiwis.
Cutting Kiwis into Wedges
For centrifugal or citrus juicers that have a wider feeding chute, you can cut peeled kiwis into wedges rather than halves.
- Wash, trim ends, and peel the kiwis as above.
- Stand the peeled kiwi upright and slice it into 4-8 evenly sized wedges from top to bottom.
- Cut away any remaining bits of brown skin left between the wedges.
Cutting kiwis into wedges gives you smaller pieces that are easier to feed through the wider juicer chutes horizontally. Depending on the juicer size, you may be able to fit an entire peeled kiwi in at once cut this way. It takes a bit more cutting compared to halves though.
Cutting Kiwis into Smaller Pieces
For masticating juicers with smaller chutes, you’ll need to cut kiwis into smaller cubes or chunks rather than wedges.
- Wash, peel, and trim the kiwi.
- Stand the kiwi upright and slice it lengthwise into quarters.
- Lay each quarter flat on the board and slice into 1/2-inch cubes.
Cutting kiwis into small pieces helps feed them through the smaller juicer openings. It does take more prep work and time. But the benefit is you can juice the kiwi in any type of juicer rather than needing a larger feed chute model.
Comparison of Kiwi Cutting Methods
Here is a quick overview of the pros and cons for each kiwi cutting technique:
| Cutting Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting in half | Fast and easy prep | Leaves skin on |
| Peeling and halving | Removes skin | More time consuming |
| Cutting into wedges | Easier to feed into wide chutes | More cutting than halves |
| Cubing into small pieces | Allows juicing in any type of juicer | Takes most time to prep |
As you can see, there are good reasons to use each method depending on your specific juicer model and preferences for dealing with kiwi skin in your juice.
Tips for Juicing Kiwis
Once you have your kiwis prepped, here are some tips for getting the maximum amount of juice out of them:
– Alternate kiwi pieces with harder produce like carrots, apples, or beets. The hard fruits and veggies will help push the soft kiwis through the juicer.
– Wrap the kiwi pieces in lettuce or spinach leaves. The sturdy greens provide a vessel to collect the kiwi juice.
– If juicing kiwi halves, press gently on skins to squeeze out extra juice once they come through the juicer.
– Mix kiwi juice with lemon, ginger, or mint to complement the flavor.
– Drink kiwi juice right after making it. The juice will start to separate and lose nutritional value quickly.
– Combine kiwi juice with softer fruits like mango, berries, or pineapple rather than just juicing kiwis alone.
Conclusion
Kiwis make a nutritious and delicious addition to fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Their sweet tang complements other produce well. Cutting kiwis into halves, wedges, or small pieces allows you to juice them in any type of juicer. Peeling before cutting removes the tough skin if desired. Mix kiwi juice with other juice ingredients and drink right away to enjoy the full benefits. Experiment with different kiwi cutting techniques to find what works best for your juicer and preferences.
