So you've been reading about juicing fruits and vegetables, and maybe talking to friends who are recent converts to this healthy practice. And now you're ready to take the big step, and buy yourself a juicer.
As you look online or in your local store, you come to the uneasy realization that more research is necessary. Why is that? Because there are more types of juicers out there than you had any idea. Different kinds, in different price ranges.
Are you interested in juicing only fruits? Only vegetables? Or maybe you'd like to do both.
How do you choose the juicer of your dreams? Here are some general guidelines to help you narrow down your search.
Masticating juicers may sound unappetizing but they actually perform some handy functions. "Masticating" here refers to the action of the machine, as it cuts and chews the produce you can stuff into it.
The pulp generated by this mastication is pushed out of the end of the juicer, allowing you to continue juicing until you have enough. Masticating juicers do a thorough job of breaking down fibers, which lends a high quality and full flavor to your finished product. Some will also create baby food, nut butters, pasta, purees, smoothies and ice cream.
Some slower masticating juicers employ a single auger or twin gears which crush smaller pieces of produce. They're particularly good at juicing more fibrous greens and wheatgrass. A manual masticating juicer operated by turning a handle, will also juice wheatgrass.
Centrifugal juicers spin to force the juice from the pulp. The pulp goes into a basket and the juice goes into a container under the basket.
A centrifugal juicer is less expensive than a masticating juicer. It grates the produce, rather than chewing it up so the juice extraction is less efficient than the masticating type. After making one or two quarts, you'll need to turn off the juicer and remove the pulp from the basket before you can do any more juicing.
Masticating and centrifugal juicers can be used on both fruits and vegetables. You can create your own fresh fruit juices, or your own vegetable cocktails. If you're feeling adventurous, you can combine some fruits and vegetables in one tasty drink.
Which means -- you guessed it -- there's more research in your near future.
But don't be intimidated, there are plenty of websites and books that contain recipes and suggestions for these medleys. All you have to do is have a taste, and decide whether you ever want to drink that particular combination again.
Resources:
naturalhealthweb.com: Choosing A Juicer
http://www.naturalhealthweb.com/articles/Thurnell-Read3.html
The Best Juicer, Is there one?
http://www.discountjuicers.com/bestjuicer.html
How to Choose the Right Juicer
http://www.ehow.com/how_2242409_choose-right-juicer.html
worldwidehealth.com: Choosing a Juicer
http://www.worldwidehealth.com/health-article-Choosing-a-Juicer.html
Choosing a Juicer
http://www.happyjuicer.com/juicers/Choosing-Juicer.aspx
Visit Jody's website and blog at http://www.ncubator.ca and http://ncubator.ca/blogger