Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice
In short: Bright, sweet juice squeezed from fresh oranges, with tips for getting the most juice per fruit and for keeping it fresh. It takes about 10 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 110 kcal
Fresh orange juice is a breakfast habit in many countries, and it tastes nothing like the stuff that has sat in a carton for weeks. Six large oranges give you about two generous glasses. Choose heavy fruit with thin, smooth skin, which usually means more juice, and roll each orange before cutting it. Drink the juice soon after squeezing, because the flavor fades within a day.
Instructions
- Scrub the oranges under running water and dry them. Anything on the peel can end up in the juice if you skip this.
- Roll each orange firmly under your palm on the counter for 10 seconds. This breaks the inner membranes and releases more juice.
- Cut each orange in half across the middle, through the segments, not from stem to stem.
- Press each half onto a citrus reamer or squeezer and twist hard until the half is dry. Work over a bowl so you catch every drop.
- Pour the juice through a sieve for smooth juice, or leave the pulp in for a thicker drink. Add the lemon juice if the oranges are very sweet.
- Serve right away over ice, or chill in a sealed jar for up to 24 hours.
Tips
- Cold oranges give less juice. Leave them out for an hour, or microwave each one for 10 seconds before rolling.
- Mix in a blood orange or a tangerine for a deeper color and a slightly different flavor.
Questions and answers
How many oranges do I need for a glass of juice?
Plan on 3 to 4 large oranges for 250 ml (1 cup). Juicy varieties give about 80 ml (1/3 cup) each, and a bit less when the fruit is cold or dry.
How long does fresh orange juice keep?
Up to 24 hours in a sealed jar in the fridge, though the flavor is best in the first few hours. Fresh juice is unpasteurized, so do not leave it out for more than an hour or two.
Why does my homemade juice taste bitter?
Bitterness comes from pressing the white pith or crushing the peel. Juice gently by hand, and drink it soon, because bitterness grows as the juice sits.
How long does it take to make Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice?
About 10 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Fresh-Squeezed Orange Juice?
About 110 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 110 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 21 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
