And with multiple, easy ways to prepare it, it takes very little effort to make. So what are you waiting for? Whether you’re finding yourself with a glut of celery from your local CSA or just looking for a new daily drink for breakfast or a snack, consider making a refreshing glass of celery juice.
Health Benefits of Celery Juice
There’s been very few studies about the health benefits of celery juice and most of our knowledge comes from the health benefits of celery itself. Why celery juice then? Well, like celery, celery juice is full of water. Celery itself is almost 95% water and helps keep you hydrated. This is especially essential during hotter times of the year, when indulging in water-filled fruits and vegetables will help keep your body going through the heat. Celery, and therefore its juice, also contains a vast array of vitamins and minerals, including but not limited to Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. All of these vitamins and minerals are important for body maintenance; Vitamin K, for example, is important for bone health. It’s not just vitamins and minerals, either. Celery juice is full of phytonutrients, such as flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties and may help prevent oxidative damage to organs, blood vessels, and cells. With so many benefits, are there any health concerns with celery juice? Technically yes, there are a few. Obviously don’t consume celery juice if you have a food allergy, and be aware how much celery you are consuming if you have to watch your sodium intake. 40 g of celery can contain 32 mg of sodium. Celery also contains a chemical called psoralen, which may increase skin sensitivity to sun damage and irritation. Overall, consuming it should not cause problems unless you have specific health issues.
What Does Celery Juice taste like?
Classic celery juice has a unique flavor akin to the vegetable itself. It’s salty and peppery, but without the crunch you usually associate with the stalks. Because of its flavor profile it pairs very well with other fruits and vegetables. If you have more of a sweet tooth or struggle with the flavor of celery, consider some of my tried and tested combinations given below. More Juice Recipes Carrot JuiceOrange JuiceWatermelon JuiceApple Juice
How to Make Celery Juice (Stepwise Photos)
There are two main ways to make celery juice, and both require special equipment. The first way to make celery juice is with a blender & the other way is to use a juicer.
Prepare
Choose organically grown celery. Feel free to keep the leaves for another culinary use. Leaves can some times impart bitter tones to your juice. Cut down the root of the celery to separate the stalks. Rinse them under running water until really clean. Shake off to get rid of water. I prefer to cut them down to 2 inch pieces.
Celery Juice in a Blender
Add a little bit of water to the base of your blender cup, then throw in the celery stalks and blend. If you want you may squeeze in some lemon juice. Don’t be afraid to add more water as necessary to help the blades. Once the celery is blended, strain it through a fine-mesh nut bag, sieve, or cheesecloth before drinking or storing. Keep in mind that straining the juice will remove some of the fiber you get from eating whole celery.
In a Juicer
Follow the juicer’s instructions and feed the cleaned and prepared stalks through the hopper/chute of the juicer, sometimes one at a time with a tamper depending on the model. Fill the juice in the jug or pitcher. Enjoy the juice immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later use.
Why Cold-Pressed Juice?
What does “cold-pressed juice” mean? Cold-pressed juice refers to the way the juice has been produced and treated; while most modern juicers chop or grind produce before applying hydraulic pressure to extract juice, cold-pressed juice is made by squeezing and crushing produce pulp for extraction. Proponents of cold-pressed juice claim it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than other juicing processes because it doesn’t generate heat that can degrade the nutrients of fruits and vegetables. However, little research has been done on cold-pressed juice and what exists doesn’t necessarily back this claim. That said, cold-pressed juices do tend to be less sweet than other kinds of bottled juices. If you’re looking for fresh, unsweetened juice, you may prefer the taste of cold-pressed juice.
Combinations of Celery Juice
If you love snacking on the carrots and celery that often come with a plate of buffalo chicken wings, try celery Carrot juice. Carrots have an earthy sweetness that really complements the salty and savory flavors of celery with the benefit of not being as sweet as fruit. Some people prefer hiding their vegetables behind the flavors of fruit, and that’s fine! In that case combinations like celery apple juice or celery Watermelon juice might sound more appealing. Like carrots and celery, apples and celery are another common pairing both in snacks and cuisine due to the resulting salty-sweet flavors. Watermelon might be a more unusual pairing, but the melon’s water content makes for an extra-hydrating beverage–perfect for hot summer days. To make any of these juices, simply prepare the vegetables or fruits as necessary (chopping, peeling, coring, etc.) and add them either to the blender or juicer with the celery. Don’t be afraid to add other flavorings, such as mint, lemon juice, or ginger! Related Recipes
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