Steam Juicing
What Is It and How Do You Do it?
Steam juicing is what it sounds like.
Rather than using a juicer to make juice, you’re using steam to pull the juice out of fruit. It works well, though it takes a lot longer than using a juicer – think roughly 2 hours to make a batch of apple juice. The benefits of juicing are just as strong here as regular juicing.
What are they?
Their popularity is growing, probably because more and more people are hearing about how good the juice it makes is.
With almost all steam juicers, there are three parts: the water pan (bottom section), the juice kettle (middle section), and the steamer basket (top section).
The best steam juicers are made from stainless steel and will last for a long time.
Should you start steam juicing?
Like I mentioned earlier, the benefits of steam juicing are similar to that of regular juicing. Consuming more fruits and vegetables is always going to be a good thing for your health, and that is no different here.
The healing power of juicing is that good. Whether you juice it or steam it, it’s still liquid sunshine.
An added benefit is that the fruits and vegetables won’t be cut with blades, but instead pressed with steam and drained. This may preserve some nutrients, and also means you don’t have to peel or chop your fruits and vegetables.
All in all, I prefer regular juicing. The main reason is that it’s simply faster, which means I can enjoy the benefits more frequently, and at any time of day. I don’t have to wait two hours for my juice; rather, it’s done in 5 minutes.
Some people describe the juice from steam juicing as being the best and smoothest they have ever tasted. Another advantage is that you can use it to make jellies, syrups and more.
How to Use a Steam Juicer?
- Begin by filling the water pan with water. Place it on the stove and leave it to boil.
- Grab the juice kettle and place it on top of the water pan. The juice will collect here and be extracted with a hose.
- Rinse your fruit and put it in the steam basket at the top. Remember, there is no need to peel or chop anything.
- After roughly 40 minutes, juice will begin to fill the kettle. The whole process will take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.
Recommended Recipes
Spiced Apple Juice
- 10 pounds apples
- 1 cup sugar (optional)
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks
Directions:
Wash the apples thoroughly first, and chop (you get more juice from chopped fruit and fit more in the steamer basket). Put half the apples in, sprinkle with the other ingredients, the cover with the second half. Leave it all for 1.5 – 2 hours and then you’ll have some great apple juice. If you’d prefer plain apple juice, simply omit the spices. This is one of the popular juicing recipes for steamers.
Cherry Juice
- 10 pounds red or black cherries
- 1 cup sugar (optional)
Directions:
Wash the cherries and put them into the steam basket. Sprinkle with sugar if desired, then cover and steam for an hour. Drain juice as usual and enjoy.
To make the most of the pulp, put it through a food mill or puree it and use it for jam.
Is it for you?
Try it for yourself.
I like having a juice ready in 5 minutes, but that would be impossible if I did it this way instead.
However, the juice you get tastes great so perhaps it’s worth it. If you’re organized, steam juicing may be the perfect thing for you.
