How to preserve freshly squeezed juice

With these tips you will be able to keep your juices in the fridge for up to 3 days in tip top condition.

The first thing to take into account is to use the fruit at its perfect moment of ripeness, using seasonal fruit is the best option. By using the right fruit, you will get more juice and better taste.

Once you have your fruit, there are 2 options. The first is to cool the fruit before squeezing it. If you cool the fruit to a temperature of about 10 degrees you will avoid the reaction of the fruit’s enzymes to heat, this reaction is what generates the oxidation process. The second option is a short cooking time for fruits slowing down the natural oxidation.

When you have the fruit ready and squeezed, for a good preservation, you must strain the juice, since the enzymes of the fruit use the pulp for the oxidation process. You may be one of those who loves the pulp in the juice, but to prolong its conservation you will have to do without it by using a strainer or a sieve.

Another trick is to add a few spoonfuls of lemon juice to your already squeezed and strained juice. With this trick you will manage to lower the pH and, thus, the oxidation of your freshly squeezed natural juice.

Finally, once you have the natural juice squeezed without pulp and with a few teaspoons of lemon, we move on to the tricks for packaging.

It is important that you use clean containers that can be hermetically sealed, the less contact with oxygen, the less oxidation, so it would be best if the juice could be vacuum packed.

With these tips you will be able to extend the life of your juice at least 3 days in the fridge. But to ensure the best preservation, you can also choose to pasteurise your juices. 

Pasteurisation is a simple process. It consists of subjecting the juice to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees for a short period of time (approximately 30 minutes) and then cooling it quickly. 

Thanks to this process, the microorganisms are destroyed without altering the composition and qualities of the juice to extend its shelf life. On the other hand, it is also necessary to boil and disinfect the containers that are going to be in contact with the juice for 10 minutes and of course try not to touch the sterilized containers with your hands.

As you can see, extending the life of your freshly squeezed natural juices is simple. You will no longer have to listen to the typical “drink it fast, the vitamins are gone” and you will be able to enjoy the delicious taste of your juices for longer.