Can You Make Juice From Frozen Fruit? All You Need To Know

Sipping on a refreshing glass of juice made from fresh fruits is a pleasure during warm summer days. The sweet, tart flavors bursting on your tongue bring you closer to nature’s bounty. But winter months often leave you craving those bright notes of berry, citrus, and tropical flavors.

Freezing is a practical way to preserve seasonal produce to enjoy their goodness all year round. You may wonder – can you make juice from frozen fruit? The short answer is – absolutely! With the right techniques, frozen fruits can be transformed into tasty beverages rivaling fresh-squeezed juice.

Selecting Suitable Frozen Fruits

Not all frozen fruits are equally suitable for juicing. Berries like strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries hold up well. Their cell walls remain intact even after thawing.

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes also juice well from frozen. Tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapple, papaya and melons make flavorful juices. Peaches, nectarines, plums and cherries also work.

Fruits with a high water content like watermelon and grapes don’t produce much juice when frozen. Vegetables like tomatoes turn mushy and pulpy. Soft fruits like bananas and avocados become stringy and fibrous after freezing. It’s best to avoid using these to make frozen fruit juice.

Thawing Properly Is Key

Juicing frozen fruits while still icy and frozen won’t work well. You’ll end up with a slushy semi-frozen mess clogging up your juicer. Thaw frozen fruit properly before juicing for optimal results.

• Microwave – This is the quickest method. Throw the fruits in a microwave-safe bowl and zap for 15-30 seconds till just thawed.
• Cold Water – Submerge ziplock bags of frozen fruit in cold water. Change water periodically till fruit thaws.
• Refrigerator – Place frozen fruit in fridge overnight or for 8-12 hours till no longer icy.
• Countertop – Leave frozen fruits sealed in a bag on kitchen counter for 1-2 hours till thawed.

Avoid letting fruits thaw too much and turn mushy. That can result in poor yields and pulp in your juice.

Juicing Thawed Frozen Fruits

Once fruits are thawed but still chilled, you’re ready to juice them. You’ll get the best results by following these pro tips:

• Use a powerful motorized juicer, not a manual hand press. Centrifugal or masticating juicers with 65 RPM or higher motors work great.
• Alternate adding thawed frozen fruit with firmer fresh fruits and veggies like apples, carrots and cucumber. This prevents clogging.
• Cut large fruits like pineapples into smaller chunks before juicing to aid extraction.
• Strain the juice through a mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove excess pulp if desired.
• Mix different frozen fruits together for flavor synergy in your juice blends. Try orange and mango or strawberry and peach.
• Dilute strong frozen juices like cranberries and pomegranate with milder juices or water.
• Add fresh herbs like mint, basil or parsley to brighten up flavors of your frozen fruit juices.
• Sweeten with a bit of honey if required since frozen fruits lose some sweetness when thawed.

Storing Your Frozen Fruit Juices

Fresh juice from frozen fruits should be consumed immediately for best flavor and nutrition. If you wish to store it, follow these guidelines:

• Transfer juice to airtight containers like mason jars or bottles with tight lids. Avoid plastic containers which can leach chemicals.
• Squeeze in some lemon juice to help prevent oxidation and browning of the juice over time.
• For short term storage of 24-48 hours, refrigerate juice and shake or stir before drinking to remix separated layers.
• For longer frozen storage of 2-3 months, pour juice into ice cube trays and freeze. Thaw cubes and mix into smoothies or other drinks as desired.

Enjoying the Benefits

Enjoying fresh, nutrient-rich juices made from frozen fruits provides many benefits. It allows you to reap the antioxidant power of berries and other superfruits 365 days a year.

Frozen juices can pack in more diverse produce compared to fresh juices constrained by seasonal availability. They provide variety to your beverage options. With some smart handling, frozen fruits can be transformed into tasty, vitamin-filled juices your entire family will love.