Natural juice

I usually make this juice when I have several fruits at home or leftover vegetables from other recipes. I've often combined things I wouldn't normally think of, and some variations have turned out surprisingly good. I most often use apples and grapefruit, but sometimes I also add carrots, oranges, cucumbers, or even greens. It's quick, doesn't require any special technique, and you don't dirty many dishes.

Quick info

Total time: 5-10 minutes
Preparation time: 5-10 minutes (depends on how many fruits you peel)
Cooking time: not applicable
Servings: varies, usually 2-3 glasses
Difficulty: very easy
Recipe type: natural juice, suitable for breakfast or snacks

Ingredients

- fresh fruits of your choice (apples, grapefruit, oranges, lemons, etc.)
- fresh vegetables of your choice (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, as preferred)
- greens (optional: parsley, if you want a fresher taste)
- sugar to taste (optional)

There are no fixed quantities; you can combine whatever you have on hand. For a regular blender, I usually use about 3-4 medium-sized fruits or a combination of fruits and vegetables of similar volume.

Preparation method

1. Wash the fruits and vegetables well.
2. Cut them into medium-sized slices or cubes so they fit easily in the blender.
3. Place the pieces of fruits and vegetables in the blender. If you want to add greens or sugar, add them now.
4. Blend everything on high speed until you get a smooth liquid. You can add a little water if you want a thinner juice.
5. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Why I make this recipe often

I make it because it doesn't take much time, I can use whatever I have in the fridge, and I don't need special ingredients. I also like it because I can change the combinations each time and don't end up with forgotten fruits or vegetables. It's nothing complicated, and you don't end up with many dishes to wash.

Tips and variations

Tips

- Cut the pieces so you don't strain the blender.
- If you want a smoother juice, you can strain it after blending.
- With combinations that include greens or harder vegetables, sometimes it helps to add a little water.

Substitutions

- Sugar can be completely omitted or replaced with a little honey if you prefer.
- You can use any type of fresh fruits or vegetables that you like.

Variations

- Apple and grapefruit juice – this is the combination I make most often.
- Oranges with carrots and cucumber – more unusual, but interesting in taste.
- You can also try tomatoes for a slightly salty juice.
- If you want an extra green boost, add parsley leaves.

Serving ideas

- Serve it immediately, directly from the blender, for maximum flavor.
- If you want it colder, you can add a few ice cubes before blending.
- In tall glasses, with a slice of lemon or grapefruit on the rim if you want a more interesting look.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do I need to peel the apples?
No, if the apples are well washed, I don't peel them. However, if you don't like the texture, you can peel them.

2. Can I use a hand blender instead of a classic one?
Yes, a hand blender works too, just make sure the container is large enough.

3. Can I use frozen fruits?
Yes, but if you only use frozen fruits, you might end up with a thicker smoothie, not a liquid juice.

4. Can it be stored in the fridge?
Ideally, you should drink it immediately, but if you have leftovers, you can keep it in the fridge for a few hours.

5. Can it be made without sugar?
Yes, most often I don't add any sugar. It depends on how sweet the fruits used are.

Nutritional values

Approximately, for a glass (250 ml) made from apples and grapefruit:
- Calories: 70-100 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 18-22 g
- Protein: 0.5-1 g
- Fat: under 0.5 g
Values vary greatly depending on the fruits, vegetables, or added sugar.

Storage and reheating

Natural juice doesn't keep well for more than a few hours. It changes taste and color if left too long. Ideally, it should be consumed immediately after preparation. There's no point in reheating it. However, if you need to keep it, cover the glass and put it in the fridge for a maximum of 6-8 hours. After that, it won't be as good.

 Ingredients: fruits vegetables

 Tags:  fruit juice