Juicing trend inspires some new muscle for the job
Juicing is the latest nutritional fad to sweep the planet. According to market research firm NPD Canada, global sales of juicers jumped 31 per cent between 2011 and 2012. This, despite the fact that the health benefits of juicing get mixed reviews.
While juicing most certainly helps people take in large amounts of vegetables easily, there doesn’t seem to be consensus that it’s healthier to consume juice than whole vegetables. Juicing also strips out varying degrees of insoluble fibre, an important part of digestive health.
But few will argue that eating lots of fruits and vegetables isn’t healthy, and juicing can play an important and delicious role in that goal. If you’re considering a jump on the bandwagon, there are several new machines to consider.
Hamilton Beach’s “Big Mouth” juice extractor has a three-inch chute designed to accommodate whole fruits and veg. That’s a key feature, even if it isn’t quite big enough for a whole fennel bulb, which (along with peeled lime and ginger), is my favourite addition to vegetable juices.
Performance compares very favourably with the Breville Juice Fountain Plus I reviewed in April, although I do prefer the larger pitcher that comes with the Breville. Stand-out features of the Big Mouth include an 800-watt motor, cleaning brush (which should be used exclusively for the machine), dishwashersafe removable parts and a five-year warranty. The Big Mouth is widely available for about $90. Then there’s the Infiny Press, part of a new (and exclusive) line of Moulinex products making its way onto Canadian Tire shelves this month. There are lots of things to like about this model, starting with the fact that the streamlined design, which sits on tripod legs, claims very little real estate on the kitchen counter.
Juicing is done with a corkscrew mechanism that presses produce without creating heat — a feature the company says helps extract more juice and preserve nutrients than traditional juicers.
It comes with two filters: one designed for juice and cocktails and can be used for both hard and soft fruits; the other retains more pulp and is intended for smoothies, coulis and sauces.
They also allow the user to vary the texture and amount of pulp which can add flavour and nutrition to soups, muffins and other recipes. Doing so also addresses a criticism of juicing — that it’s wasteful and, therefore, expensive.
The Infiny Press is blessedly quiet — important for those who like to rise early and make juice while the rest of the household sleeps. About $300, it comes with a one-year warranty.
Other items in the Moulinex line include microwaves and blenders, as well as a toaster, hand mixer, slow cooker and food processor. A bit of back story — Moulinex was a French brand that was well-known in Europe for decades. Over the years, various items have been brought in through other distributors, but this is the first time that Moulinex — which faced some bumpy times over the last two decades — has entered the Canadian market with a full line.
Beloved by foodies, Vitamix is a blender, not a juicer, but it can make juice that retains pulp, often referred to as “whole food juicing.”
While juicing most certainly helps people take in large amounts of vegetables easily, there ’s no consensus that it’s healthier
If expanding your vegetable recipe repertoire is the aim, it can also be used to make vegetable soups, dips, purees, tapenades and other recipes.
There are two models available: the Professional Series 750, which sells for $849 and the Vitamix 7500, which goes for $599. For a list of retailers, go to vitamix.com.
Both have two-litre, BPA-free containers, 2.2-horsepower motors and blade speed that runs up to 386 km/h — which make short work of stubborn vegetables, like kale.
The difference is in the settings; the 7500 has a speed dial and pulse function, while the 750 has five pre-programmed settings — puree, soup, frozen desserts, smoothies and cleaning. The latter also comes in a brushed stainless steel finish, while its less costly sister is available in black, white and red hard plastic. Both are designed to fit under and cabinet, and both come with a full seven-year warranty.
Other extras that go with the pro series: an instructional DVD with telegenic Top Chef Michael Voltaggio, and a hardbound cookbook with more than 200 recipes, which are divided into weekday and weekend suggestions.
The machine also has an interesting history. Its creator, William G. “Papa” Barnard, can be hailed (or hounded) for creating the first infomercial in 1949, which promoted the blender and the benefits of whole foods. In the early ’90s, the company created a commercial blender that helped to spark the popularity of smoothies.