What juicer fits a whole apple?
Juicing whole apples, including the skin and core, provides numerous health benefits. Apples contain antioxidants, flavonoids, dietary fiber, and vitamin C. Juicing apples whole maximizes the nutritional content compared to juicing without the skin and core. However, most juicers cannot accommodate whole apples. This article reviews what to look for in a juicer that can juice whole apples.
Benefits of Juicing Whole Apples
Here are some of the top benefits of juicing whole apples with the skin and core:
- Higher antioxidant content – The skin of apples contains 6 times more polyphenol antioxidants than the flesh. Antioxidants protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation.
- More flavonoids – Apple skins are concentrated sources of flavonoids like quercetin that have anti-cancer and heart protective effects.
- Extra fiber – Apple peels provide insoluble fiber that promotes gut health and regulates digestion.
- Vitamin C boost – Apple peels contain 3-4 times more vitamin C than the flesh. Vitamin C supports immune function.
By juicing apples whole, you gain significantly more antioxidants, polyphenols, fiber, and vitamin C compared to juicing without the skin and core. This results in a more nutritious juice.
Challenges of Juicing Whole Apples
While nutritious, juicing whole apples poses some challenges:
- Small feeding chutes – Most juicers have round feeding chutes 2-3 inches wide. Apples are too big to fit.
- Hard seeds/stem – Apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide. The stems are also very hard and can damage juicer augers.
- Tough skin – Apple skin has a waxy, tough texture. Some juicers cannot break down the skin when juicing whole apples.
Due to these challenges, most juicers cannot effectively juice whole apples. The apple must be cut to fit into small feeding chutes. And many augers get jammed trying to grind hard seeds and apple skin.
Best Juicers for Whole Apples
Here are the best types of juicers able to juice whole apples:
Masticating Juicers
Masticating juicers, also called cold press or slow juicers, are best for whole apples. They use a slow, crushing auger mechanism that can break down apple skin, seeds, stems, and the whole apple. Top picks include:
| Juicer | Feeding Chute | Auger |
|---|---|---|
| Tribest Slowstar | 3 inches | Duoblade double-edged |
| Omega J8006 | 1.5 inches | GE Ultem single auger |
| Aicok Slow Masticating | 2 inches | Ultem single auger |
These masticating juicers have several advantages for whole apples:
- Strong augers crush skin, seeds – The slow crushing action can grind whole apples.
- Wide feeding chutes – Chutes at least 1.5 inches wide accommodate whole apples.
- Cold press method – Preserves nutrients and prevents oxidation.
- Versatile – Also juices leafy greens, soft fruits, vegetables, and wheatgrass.
Look for masticating juicers with augers made of durable Ultem or GE plastics. The widest feeding chutes make juicing whole apples easiest.
Twin Gear Juicers
Twin gear juicers, also called triturating juicers, use two interlocking gears to crush produce. Top picks for whole apples include:
| Juicer | Feeding Chute | Gears |
|---|---|---|
| Tribest Greenstar Elite | 1.1 inches | Stainless steel twin gears |
| Super Angel Premium Deluxe | 1.75 inches | Stainless steel twin gears |
Benefits of twin gear juicers for whole apples:
- Most powerful – Crushes through anything including whole apples.
- Automatic wiping – Prevents clogging when juicing fibrous material.
- Versatile – Excellent for leafy greens, sprouts, and wheatgrass.
- Highest juice yields – Extracts more juice and drier pulp.
The extremely high juice yield and versatility make twin gear juicers ideal for juicing whole apples. Just keep in mind the smaller feeding chutes require cutting produce to size.
Other Wide Chute Slow Juicers
Some other wide feeding chute slow juicers can accommodate whole apples. Top picks include:
| Juicer | Feeding Chute | Auger |
|---|---|---|
| Mueller Austria Juicer Ultra | 3 inches | Italy made juicing screw |
| Aobosi Slow Masticating Juicer | 3.15 inches | TR02 auger |
| Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juicer | 3 inches | Stainless steel |
Benefits of these wide feed juicers for whole apples:
- Large feed chutes – Can fit whole, medium apples.
- Slow crushing action – Can grind apple skin and seeds.
- Dishwasher safe – Easy cleanup.
- Budget price – More affordable options.
The extra wide 3+ inch feeding chutes on these cold press masticating juicers allow juicing medium-sized apples whole. Just check the auger is durable and powerful enough to grind apple skin and cores.
How to Juice Whole Apples
Follow these tips for juicing whole apples:
- Wash apples well – Scrub under running water to remove dirt and pesticides.
- Remove stem – Use a paring knife to slice out the stem and flower end.
- Cut to size – For smaller feed chutes, cut apple to fit.
- Alternate produce – Juice apple pieces alternating with greens, celery, cucumber.
- Rinse juicer – Run water through juicer between batches to clear out pulp.
- Drink immediately – Consume apple juice right away to get the most nutrients.
Apples should be washed thoroughly even if juicing with peel. Cut out the stem and blossom end which are too fibrous to juice. If needed, cut apples to smaller pieces to fit your juicer’s feed tube. Alternate juicing apple chunks with bits of greens, celery or cucumber which help push through the fibrous pulp.
Preventing Clogs When Juicing Apples
To avoid clogs when juicing whole apples:
- Cut into thin slices – Thinner slices break down easier than large chunks.
- Remove seeds first – Apple seeds contain trace cyanide compounds.
- Alternate with greens/veggies – Helps push apple pulp through.
- Don’t overstuff – Allow space between produce going into feed chute.
- Rinse between batches – Clear out pulp buildup.
Overloading the juicer with too much apple at once increases chances of clogging. Cut apples into thin slices, remove any seeds first, and alternate juicing apple with leafy greens or celery which act as a natural pusher.
Juicing Whole Apples Without a Juicer
If you don’t have a high-powered juicer, you can still juice apples whole. Here are some options:
Blending
Use a powerful blender like a Vitamix to make apple juice with the core and skin. Add water to blend the apple into a smooth consistency. Strain the juice through a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer to remove the fibrous pulp.
Juice Press
A hand-cranked juice press can extract apple juice whole. Grind or shred apples first before pressing out the juice. Use a fine strainer to catch any solids.
Steaming/Boiling
Steam or boil quartered apples for 15-20 minutes until soft. Mash the cooked apples, then press them through a sieve or food mill to strain out the juice.
Fermenting
Culture chopped whole apples with yogurt whey or juicy ginger. The natural yeast will ferment the apples, extracting the juice. Strain out pulp. This preserves nutrients but contains trace alcohol from fermentation.
While juicers extract the highest yield of nutrients, these alternatives allow you to make use of whole apples if you lack a suitable juicer.
Best Apples for Juicing Whole
All apples can be juiced whole, but some varieties are better suited with thicker skins and low acidity. Best choices include:
- Granny Smith – Tart and crisp with thick skin.
- Fuji – Sweet, mild, and low acid.
- Rome – Mild, firm apples with dense flesh.
- Arkansas Black – Firm tannic apples that store well.
- Braeburn – Crisp texture and tart-sweet flavor.
Tart apples like Granny Smiths add a tangy kick and the thicker skins hold up well. Sweeter apples like Fujis provide flavor balance. Always pick firm, ripe apples avoiding any mushy spots or bruises.
Should You Juice Apples With Seeds?
Apple seeds contain amygdalin, which breaks down into trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide. Normal apple consumption is not dangerous, but juicing concentrates doses of seeds:
- Apple seeds contain 0.06 mg hydrogen cyanide per gram.
- Juicing 3-4 apples yields about 7-10 apple seeds.
- This provides only a trivial amount of hydrogen cyanide.
While a few seeds won’t cause problems, it’s smart to avoid juicing large quantities of bruised or damaged seeds which release more amygdalin. For minimal risk, remove all the seeds first when juicing apples in bulk.
Apple Juice Nutrition Facts
The nutrition content of apple juice varies based on whether it’s filtered or unfiltered, fresh or store-bought. In general, a 1 cup serving provides:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 117 |
| Carbs | 28 g |
| Sugar | 24 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Vitamin C | 3 mg (5% DV) |
Fresh apple juice contains some fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants from the skin and flesh. Juicing whole apples boosts nutrition compared to filtered store-bought juice.
Benefits of Apple Juice
Potential benefits of juicing and drinking apples include:
- Anti-inflammatory – Quercetin and vitamin C reduce swelling.
- Lowers cholesterol – Bioactive compounds may reduce LDL and raise HDL.
- Prebiotic – Pectin feeds healthy gut bacteria.
- Blood sugar control – Polyphenols slow carbohydrate digestion.
- Heart health – Antioxidants protect blood vessels from damage.
Apple juice balances blood sugar spikes thanks to polyphenols. The antioxidants support heart health and immunity as well. Just avoid drinking too much apple juice which can cause a sugar overload.
Including Whole Apples in Your Juicing Routine
Add whole apples to your regular juicing routine by:
- Drinking 8 oz apple juice in the morning before breakfast.
- Mixing with leafy greens and celery for post-workout recovery juice.
- Adding to vegetable juices for natural sweetness and flavor.
- Juicing Granny Smith apples with lemon and ginger for a detoxifying drink.
- Making a fruit juice blend with berries, citrus, pineapple, and apple.
Enjoy apple juice on its own or blended into all kinds of juicing recipes. Just be sure to drink fresh apple juice the same day for maximum nutrition.
Conclusion
Juicing whole apples maximizes the antioxidant, fiber, and nutrient content compared to filtered apple juice. Opt for a masticating or triturating juicer with a wide feed chute to accommodate whole apples. Remove any seeds first to avoid excess cyanide exposure when juicing large quantities. Drink your fresh apple juice right away to benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects, blood sugar control, heart health protection, and prebiotic fiber.