How do you juice a large orange?

Oranges are one of the most popular fruits around the world. Known for being sweet, juicy and full of vitamin C, they make for a nutritious and delicious snack or addition to recipes. But oranges can sometimes be difficult to juice, especially if they are on the larger side.

Large oranges present a juicing challenge because their thick peel and flesh make it hard to extract all of the juice. However, with the right tools and techniques, you can easily juice even the largest, juiciest oranges.

Tools You’ll Need

To properly juice a large orange, you’ll need the following tools:

• Citrus juicer or reamer – This tool is specially designed to press and extract citrus juice. Metal or plastic reamers work best for large oranges.
• Cutting board and sharp knife – For cutting the orange before juicing.
• Glass, bowl or cup – To collect the fresh squeezed orange juice.
• Spoon – To scoop out any pulp and seeds.

Prep the Orange

Before juicing, you’ll need to prep the large orange:

1. Wash the orange thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt or residue.
2. Cut the orange in half widthwise using a sharp knife. This will make it easier to juice versus trying to juice a whole large orange.
3. Optionally, cut each half into 2-3 wedges if the orange is particularly wide. More wedges means more surface area to juice.

Juice the Orange Halves

Here are the steps to juice the prepped large orange halves:

1. Place an orange half cut-side down onto the juicer, positioning it so the reamer sits inside the orange wedge.
2. Press down firmly and twist the reamer to extract the juice from the membranes and flesh.
3. Rotate the orange half around the reamer until all of the juice is extracted.
4. Flip over and repeat juicing on the other side.
5. Scrape off any pulp that sticks to the reamer into your collecting cup or bowl.
6. Repeat juicing process for any remaining orange halves and wedges.
7. Use the spoon to scoop out any seeds or excess pulp from the collected juice.

Pressing and twisting the reamer is key to getting all of the juice out of those thick orange walls. Really apply pressure and twist as you juice to fully break down the flesh and membranes.

Juicing Tips

Follow these tips for maximum juice yield when juicing large oranges:

• Roll the orange on a hard surface before cutting to help break down the interior and release more juice.
• Let oranges come to room temperature before juicing for more juice extraction.
• Drink the juice right away for best flavor and nutrients.
• Refrigerate any unused juice in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
• Consider adding lemon, lime, mint or ginger to the orange juice for more flavor.

Troubleshooting

Here are some common problems and solutions when juicing large oranges:

Problem	Solution
Not enough juice	Press reamer more firmly, twist vigorously while juicing. Cut orange into more wedges.
Too much pulp	Use spoon to scoop out excess pulp from juice.
Juice is bitter	May be overripe orange, add water or sweetener to taste.

Storing Orange Juice

To get the most out of your fresh squeezed orange juice, follow proper storage methods:

• Refrigerate orange juice in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, freeze orange juice in ice cube trays or freezer bags for 2-3 months.
• Thaw frozen orange juice overnight in the fridge before using.
• Canned orange juice will keep 1 year unopened or 1 week opened in the refrigerator.

Drink orange juice within the recommended time periods for best flavor, texture and nutritional content.

Large Orange Juice Recipes

Freshly squeezed orange juice is delicious on its own, but also works great in recipes like:

• Orange sunshine smoothie – Blend orange juice with yogurt, banana, ice and honey.
• Orange creamsicle floats – Top orange juice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Orange juice margarita – Mix orange juice, tequila, triple sec and lime juice.
• Orange mimosa – Combine equal parts orange juice and champagne.

With a large orange’s generous juice yield, you’ll have plenty of liquid for enjoying on its own or crafting delicious recipes. Get creative and make the most of your fresh squeezed juice.

Nutrition Benefits

Large oranges pack in substantial nutrition and health benefits. One large orange (about 184g) contains:

• 85% DV vitamin C – Boosts immunity and heart health
• 13% DV folate – Important for metabolism and cell growth
• 12% DV potassium – Regulates blood pressure
• 7% DV fiber – Aids digestion and gut health
• Antioxidants like anthocyanins and flavanones

Plus, orange juice is fat-free, cholesterol-free and low calorie at only 112 calories per cup. Drinking freshly squeezed juice provides more nutrition than store-bought since it undergoes less processing.

Cost Savings

Juicing large oranges at home can provide big savings compared to buying orange juice at the store. Based on average costs in the U.S.:

• One large orange costs around $0.60 – $0.85
• One cup of orange juice from concentrate costs around $2.50 – $3.00

As you can see, homemade orange juice is roughly 3-5x less expensive per cup! Plus it tastes far superior and is free of any added sugars or preservatives.

Environmental Benefits

Home juicing also comes with environmental perks. Store-bought orange juice often has a large carbon footprint due to:

• Processing and packaging
• Transportation
• Waste from cartons or plastic bottles

With fresh homemade juice, there is minimal processing, packaging waste or transport required. Just wash and reuse your juicing container to keep environmental impact low.

Conclusion

Juicing large oranges is easy with the right tools and techniques. Cut oranges into manageable wedges, firmly press a reamer to extract juice, and strain out any excess pulp or seeds. Refrigerate fresh juice for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage. The result is nutritious, delicious orange juice bursting with flavor for a fraction of the cost of store-bought. Plus you’ll reduce food waste by using up those big oranges!