What is cold pressed juice?

Cold-pressed juice is made using a hydraulic press instead of the high-speed centrifugal juicers typically found in homes. This gentler method offers several key advantages:

Production Process: Instead of shredding and spinning fruit and vegetables at high speeds (which generates heat and friction), cold-pressed juicing slowly crushes the produce under immense pressure, extracting the juice without significant heat build-up.

Benefits:

• Higher Nutrient Retention: The lower temperatures involved help preserve heat-sensitive vitamins, enzymes, and other beneficial nutrients that might be lost during the high-speed juicing process. This results in a juice that's often considered more nutritious.
• Longer Shelf Life (with proper storage): While not indefinitely, cold-pressed juice tends to have a longer shelf life than juice made with centrifugal juicers due to the reduced oxidation and degradation of nutrients. However, it's still crucial to refrigerate it and consume it within a few days for optimal quality.
• Denser & Creamier Texture: The absence of heat and aeration results in a thicker, creamier juice compared to the thinner, often foamy consistency produced by centrifugal juicers.
• More Fiber (Pulp): Some cold-pressed juice may contain some pulp depending on the pressing method and whether the pulp is separated or left in. This adds to the fiber content, benefiting digestion.

Drawbacks:

• More Expensive: Cold-press juicers and the commercial production process are more expensive than conventional methods, leading to higher juice prices.
• Less Juice Yield: Cold pressing typically yields less juice than centrifugal juicing from the same amount of produce.
• Storage Considerations: Even with a longer shelf life, cold-pressed juice still needs refrigeration and shouldn't be stored for extended periods.

In short: Cold-pressed juice is generally considered a higher-quality, more nutrient-rich option compared to juice made with conventional high-speed juicers. However, the higher cost and lower yield are factors to consider. Always check the ingredients list to ensure it contains only fruits and vegetables – some commercial options might include added sugars or preservatives.