Making fresh juices at home is healthier than buying from the store. However, these can quickly go bad if you’re not storing your cold-pressed juices properly.
But which storage container is best for your homemade drinks? How long can you store them in the fridge? Also, how can you tell if your juice is too old?
Let’s answer these common questions one by one. After reading this article, you won’t have to throw away spoiled cold-pressed juices again.
How to Store Cold-Pressed Juices
Here are the steps to ensure you are storing your cold-pressed juices correctly.
1. Store cold-pressed juices immediately in the proper container.
Fresh juices can quickly lose their nutritional content if you do not store them right after cold pressing. So, the first thing to do is to transfer your excess juice into a container.
Here are some of the best options:
- Mason jars. These glass jars have a tight seal, protecting your juice from oxygen exposure. Remember to wet the seal portion of the lid before screwing on the metal band. Avoid jar lids with holes for straws, though. Use these sipper lids when you’re ready to drink your juice.
- Hermetic jars or bottles. Sometimes, these are also called clip-top containers. The rubber ring lining the lid creates an airtight seal, keeping your juices fresh. They are available in various shapes and sizes and can double as containers for various kitchen ingredients.
- Glass bottles or pitchers. These containers are not for long-term storage as their lids do not have a good seal. However, you can use them when drinking or serving cold-pressed juices within a few hours.
- Stainless steel tumblers. If you’re drinking your juice on the go, transfer it into a metallic tumbler to protect it against air and sun exposure. This double-walled container can preserve the temperature of your drink, too.
2. Fill the container with as much juice as possible.
Not storing your cold-pressed juice right allows oxygen to degrade its nutrients. So, fill your juice container to the top or leave as little head space as possible.
Then, close the jar lid tightly and chill immediately. Ideally, place the jar in the coldest part of your fridge.
3. Add pieces of citrus fruit or celery to preserve juice nutrients.
Here’s another interesting tip if you want to protect the nutrients of your cold-pressed juices. Before storing, throw a slice of celery, lime, lemon, or grapefruit in the jar.
These ingredients have vitamin C that slows down the oxidation of your juices, preserving their taste, colour, and nutrients.
This process is similar to how citrus juice can protect your bananas, apples, or avocados from browning.
4. Keep the juice in the fridge for up to 3 days (72 hours).
Despite the extra measures you take when storing cold-pressed juices, these will eventually go bad after a few days.
So, to avoid wastage, drink your juices within three days or 72 hours. Also, if you make juices in big batches, process enough fruit and veggies you can consume within this time range.
After three days, your juice would have lost most of its nutritional value. It won’t look and taste good, either.
Plus, there’s a chance that bacteria have started to grow in it, which can upset your stomach.
5. Put the juice in the freezer to keep it longer.
Freezing is the best option to preserve juice quality and nutrients for a long time.
Frozen juice should stay fresh in the freezer for six months. I recommend this method if you juice plenty of fruits and veggies in one go.
Freezer-safe containers are necessary for this, though. Also, remember to leave at least half an inch of head space when filling your jar or bottle to allow for expansion.
Don’t forget to label your juice container with the date of preparation.
It is best to thaw the frozen juice in the fridge and then drink it immediately. So, portion your juices according to your daily consumption before freezing.
That way, you do not have to thaw out and consume a big batch of juice.
FAQs About Storing Cold-Pressed Juices
1. Can I use plastic containers or tumblers for storing cold-pressed juices?
Plastic containers are not advisable for fresh juice storage. While lightweight, less expensive, and hard-wearing, plastic bottles, including BPA-free ones, can leak unwanted toxins into your drink. Also, plastic tumblers are not airtight, speeding up juice deterioration and spoilage.
2. What does spoiled cold-pressed juice look like?
Freshly made juices have vibrant colours that will turn brown or murky over time. Spoiled juice may also have a slimy texture and an unpleasant sour smell. If you notice these signs, your juice will not taste good, so throw it away.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade juices is an excellent way to get optimum nutrients from fruits and vegetables.
However, all that can go down the drain if you are not storing your cold-pressed juices properly.
The best practice is to make enough juice you can consume within the day. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight glass container and put them in the fridge.
Your chilled juice should stay good for three days. Alternatively, you can freeze a big batch of juice to keep it fresh for up to 6 months.
Hopefully, these proper storage techniques allow you to make the most of your cold press juicer and enjoy your freshly made drinks with minimal wastage.
