About Juicers

Owning a juicer opens up a world of fresh, healthful possibilities. It allows you to create your own favorite blends of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, each with flavors, textures and nutritional values that surpass those of their canned or bottled counterparts.

The two main types of juicers are described below.

Juice Extractors
An extractor is the most efficient tool for removing juice from the widest range of fruits and vegetables. Extractors first reduce ingredients to minute particles with a swiftly whirling shredding disk. Next, liquid is extracted from the particles by centrifugal force and sent through the fine mesh of a strainer basket, which holds back the pulp. (The strained pulp can be used in some recipes to add fiber and texture.) The result is the freshest possible juice, rich in flavor, color and nutrients.

Electric Citrus Juicers
Electric citrus juicers are simply mechanized versions of the oldest-known type of juicer, the reamer, which gouges and presses the juice from halved citrus fruits. These types of juicers work only with citrus and not with other fruits and vegetables.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Cookware Series, Juicer Cookbook, by Carol Gelles (Time-Life Books, 1998).