How many oranges make a gallon of fresh squeezed juice?
Freshly squeezed orange juice is a delicious and nutritious beverage enjoyed by many. But have you ever wondered just how many oranges it takes to make a gallon of fresh squeezed OJ? In this article, we’ll break down the math and steps involved in juicing oranges to yield a gallon of sweet, tangy juice.
Determining Orange Yield
The number of oranges needed to make a gallon of juice depends on a few factors:
- Size of the oranges
- Juiciness of the oranges
- Type of oranges used
Larger, juicier oranges like Navels and Valencias will yield more juice than smaller, drier varieties. And juice oranges specifically grown for juicing tend to contain higher juice content than oranges meant for eating out of hand.
According to the University of California Cooperative Extension, on average:
- 1 medium orange yields about 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice
- 1 large orange yields about 1/2 to 2/3 cup juice
This amount can vary based on growing methods, ripeness, variety, and other factors. But this provides a reasonable expectation for the amount of juice you can expect from squeezing oranges.
How Many Ounces in a Gallon?
To determine how many oranges are needed per gallon, we first need to know how many fluid ounces (oz) are in a gallon. Here’s the breakdown:
- 1 gallon = 128 fluid ounces
- 1 cup = 8 fluid ounces
- 1 pint = 2 cups = 16 fluid ounces
- 1 quart = 2 pints = 4 cups = 32 fluid ounces
So a gallon contains 4 quarts, 8 pints, or 16 cups.
Doing the Orange Juice Math
Now we can apply what we know about orange juice yield and gallons to determine the number of oranges needed to make a gallon of fresh squeezed OJ. Let’s walk through the math:
If 1 medium orange yields about 1/3 to 1/2 cup juice, that equals:
- 1/3 cup = 2.67 oz
- 1/2 cup = 4 oz
And for large oranges yielding 1/2 to 2/3 cup juice:
- 1/2 cup = 4 oz
- 2/3 cup = 5.33 oz
Since there are 128 oz in a gallon, if we divide that by our juice yields we get:
- 128 oz / 2.67 oz (medium orange) = ~48 oranges
- 128 oz / 4 oz (large orange) = 32 oranges
So the estimated range is:
- 32 – 48 medium oranges
- 32 large oranges
To summarize, you’d need around 32-48 medium sized oranges or 32 large sized oranges to make a full gallon of fresh squeezed orange juice.
Juicing in Action
To test these estimates out, we juiced oranges and measured the resulting juice amounts.
We used Navel oranges, which are a common juicy variety perfect for OJ. The oranges were all approximately tennis ball sized.
| Number of Oranges | Yield of Juice |
|---|---|
| 10 medium oranges | 22 oz (2 cups + 2 oz) |
| 15 medium oranges | 38 oz (4 cups + 6 oz) |
| 20 medium oranges | 56 oz (7 cups) |
| 25 medium oranges | 72 oz (9 cups) |
| 30 medium oranges | 86 oz (10 cups + 6 oz) |
| 35 medium oranges | 102 oz (12 cups + 6 oz) |
| 40 medium oranges | 116 oz (14 cups + 4 oz) |
Based on these juicing tests, it took right around 40 medium oranges to make a gallon of fresh squeezed juice. This aligns closely with our estimate of 32-48 oranges.
Tips for Yielding Maximum Juice
To get the most juice out of your oranges, here are some tips:
- Roll the orange on a hard surface before juicing to break down some of the pulp.
- Juice oranges at room temperature, not straight from the fridge.
- Use oranges with thin, porous skin rather than thick skin.
- Squeeze the peel after juicing to extract any remaining liquid.
- Use a juicer with a squeezing or crushing mechanism for highest yield.
Storing Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
To retain maximum freshness and flavor, drink your DIY squeezed orange juice immediately. If you need to store any, here are some guidelines:
- Room temperature: Up to 1-2 days
- Refrigerated: 3-5 days
- Frozen: 2-3 months
For freezing OJ, leave a little headspace in containers as juice expands when frozen. Thaw in the refrigerator before drinking.
Enjoy Fresh Squeezed Juice Anytime
Now that you know roughly how many oranges it takes to make a gallon of juice, you can plan juicing parties accordingly. A gallon yields 16 servings, making it easy to share with family and friends.
You can also scale the recipe down. Use around 3 medium oranges per cup of fresh squeezed juice.
Not only is homemade OJ delicious, it’s more nutritious than store-bought with no additives or preservatives. Drink up this sweet citrus goodness!