Getting the Most Juice from Citrus
Citrus yields more liquid when the fruit is at room temperature. Cold fruit holds its juices tightly in the cell walls, making it difficult to extract even with a high-quality tool.
Temperature is the primary factor
If your fruit has been in the refrigerator, place it in a bowl of warm water for five minutes before beginning. You want the skin to feel supple and pliable, not firm and tight.
- Citrus press or handheld reamer
- Cutting board
- Chef's knife
- Strainer
What goes in.
- 1Lemon, lime, or orange
Breaking down the cells
Apply firm downward pressure with the heel of your hand and roll the fruit back and forth. You are looking for the rind to yield slightly, indicating the inner membranes have burst.
The method.
Warm and soften the fruit
Bring the fruit to room temperature or soak in warm water. Roll firmly on the cutting board until it feels soft to the touch.
Slice properly
Cut the fruit in half horizontally, perpendicular to the stem end. This orientation allows the press to invert the peel effectively.
Extract the juice
Place the cut side down into the press. Close the handles slowly and steadily. Hold for three seconds at the end of the squeeze to allow the last drops to release.
Strain
Pour the juice through a fine-mesh sieve if you prefer to remove seeds and stray bits of pulp.
Other turns to take.
The Fork Method
If you lack a reamer or press, insert a fork into the center of a halved fruit. Twist the fork while squeezing the rind with your other hand, moving the fork in a circular motion to rake out the juice.
When it doesn't go to plan.
Cut a tiny sliver off the rounded end of the fruit to help it sit level in the press.
For zest, use your microplane before cutting the fruit for juice.
If you only need a few drops, poke a hole in the rind with a toothpick and squeeze; this keeps the rest of the fruit intact for longer.
The ones that keep coming up.
Should I juice citrus ahead of time?
Citrus juice loses its bright, fresh character once exposed to air. Juice it as close to the time you intend to use it as possible.
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