How to prepare raw beets for juicing?
Beet juice has become increasingly popular due to its many potential health benefits. Beets are packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Drinking beet juice regularly may help lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance and decrease inflammation. But before you can enjoy these advantages, you need to properly prepare raw beets for juicing.
Selecting the Best Beets for Juicing
Not all beets are equally suited for juicing. Follow these tips to choose the best raw beets:
- Opt for small to medium sized beets that are around 2-3 inches in diameter. Larger beets may be fibrous and difficult to juice.
- Choose beets that feel firm with smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid beets that are limp, wrinkled or have soft spots.
- Select red beets over golden or chioggia striped varieties, which have a milder flavor that may get lost when juicing.
- Try to find organic, locally grown beets that haven’t been treated with pesticides.
Prepping and Cleaning Raw Beets
Proper cleaning and prepping is crucial to removing dirt and debris that can affect the flavor and juice quality:
- Trim off the beet greens 2-3 inches above the root. Reserve the greens for later use in salads, sautés or smoothies.
- Give the beets a good scrub under running water to remove dirt. Use a vegetable brush if needed.
- Trim off the tail end and any remaining roots with a paring knife.
- Cut off any blemished or discolored parts of the skin.
Peeling Raw Beets for Juicing
Peeling beets is an optional extra step. Here are the pros and cons of peeling beets before juicing:
| Pros of Peeling | Cons of Peeling |
|---|---|
| Removes fibrous, earthy tasting skin | Peels contain beneficial nutrients and pigments |
| Prevents gritty texture in juice | Peeling is time consuming and messy |
| Results in smoother, sweeter juice | Can cause beets to oxidize and lose color |
If you choose to peel, use a vegetable peeler or paring knife. Aim for a thin layer, avoiding too much vegetable waste. Peel beets just before juicing to prevent oxidation.
Cutting Raw Beets for Your Juicer
The way you cut beets will depend on the feed chute size of your juicer model. Follow these guidelines:
- For centrifugal juicers with smaller chutes, cut beets into thin matchstick strips or small 1-2 inch cubes.
- For masticating juicers with larger chutes, beets can often be juiced whole or halved.
- Always cut to a size that will fit into your juicer’s chute. Overly large pieces can jam the machine.
Try cutting beets into uniform, manageable pieces for efficient juicing. You may need to experiment to find what works best for your particular juicer.
Preventing Beet Juice Color Change
Raw beet juice has a rich, vibrant purple-red hue. But enzyme activity can cause the pigments in beet juice to break down over time, resulting in a brown, unappealing color. Here are some tips to retain the bright color of beet juice:
- Juice beets first before other ingredients to reduce exposure.
- Mix in a splash of lemon or lime juice, which helps stabilize the color.
- Store beet juice in an airtight container with minimal air exposure.
- Drink beet juice as soon as possible, within 12-24 hours.
- Consider freezing beet juice in ice cube trays for longer storage.
Beet Juice Combinations
Beets have an earthy, mildly sweet flavor. Combining beets with other fruits and veggies can create delicious balanced juices. Try these winning combinations:
| Ingredients | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Beets, apples, lemon | Sweet and tangy immune-boosting juice |
| Beets, carrots, ginger | Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich |
| Beets, pears, raspberries | Fruity and nutrient-dense |
| Beets, strawberries, mint | Vibrant pink juice with digestion benefits |
Feel free to experiment with your own favorite flavors too. The beet possibilities are endless!
Troubleshooting Beet Juicing Problems
When preparing beets, you may encounter some common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Stringy texture – Use young, small beets. Cut into thin matchsticks. Strain juice through nut milk bag or cheesecloth.
- Juicer clogging – Cut beets to fit feed chute. Alternate beet pieces with harder produce like carrots or apples.
- Juice separating – Drink juice immediately after making. Shake or stir together before serving.
- Pink stains – Wear an apron and wash hands, cutting board, juicer parts immediately after juicing.
Storing and Serving Raw Beet Juice
For best results, drink beet juice as fresh as possible. But here are some storage guidelines:
- Store in a tightly sealed glass jar or container with a lid.
- Refrigerate for up to 72 hours.
- Freeze juice in ice cube trays or muffin tins for longer storage of 2-3 months.
- Always use clean utensils when handling to prevent contamination.
- Shake or stir juice before serving to remix settled ingredients.
- Enjoy beet juice chilled, at room temperature, or use in smoothies.
The Benefits of Homemade Beet Juice
Juicing your own beets at home maximizes nutritional value compared to store-bought juices. Other advantages include:
- Total control over ingredients and portions
- Ability to use fresh, organic produce
- Avoid added sugars, preservatives and dilutents
- Customize flavors to your taste preferences
- Make juice easily for one serving or a crowd
- Cost effective compared to purchasing prepared juices
With a quality juicer and some preparation, it’s simple to start juicing nutrient-packed beets at home. Follow these tips to select, prep and juice beets while retaining maximum color and nutrition in every glass.
Conclusion
Beets are a nutritional powerhouse, but preparing them properly is key to creating a tasty and vibrant beet juice. By selecting fresh, firm beets, cleaning and cutting them to fit your juicer, and understanding how to prevent color changes, you’ll be ready to make your own healthy beet juice full of flavor and nutrients. Experiment with fun ingredient combinations and serve it up fresh for a powerful wellness boost.