How To Ferment Orange Juice
Do you want to learn how to ferment orange juice? In this post, we cover exactly how to make your own fermented orange juice, step-by-step.
But first, let’s look on the bright side (pun intended) of orange juice.
What’s The Story Of Orange?
Did you know that orange is a hybrid of tangerine and pomelo? It didn’t occur naturally in the environment, but still, orange is a healthy and fantastic fruit.
This fruit, which is among the many citrus fruits in the Rutaceae family, originated from Southeast Asia around 4000 BC. There are two types of oranges: sweet and bitter. The most commonly consumed as juice and snack is the sweet variety (Citrus sinensis). Meanwhile, the bitter variety (Citrus aurantium) is used to add flavor in liqueurs.
From Southeast Asia, its cultivation had spread to India and then the world. Its tree is small, evergreen, flowering, and tropical or semi-tropical. Worldwide, there are around 600 varieties of this citrus fruit.
Three years ago, it was recorded that Brazil, the US, China, India, and Mexico are the largest producers of oranges in the world. Moreover, 85% of all oranges are utilized for producing orange juice.
How To Ferment Orange Juice
Did you know that you can ferment orange juice to make it even healthier? When you ferment fruit juices, the bacteria eat the sugars contained in it. The resulting juice is then lower in sugar and is, therefore, healthier for the body.
The ingredients you will need in making your own fermented orange juice are: freshly squeezed orange juice, culture starter or whey, sea salt, and filtered water.
Here are the four easy steps in fermenting orange juice:
1) Squeeze and Pour
Pour two and 1/2 cups of freshly squeezed orange juice in a mason jar. If you don’t have fresh oranges, you can use pre-packed orange juice instead.
2) Make It Sweet
Add two tablespoons of whey or 1/2 teaspoon of culture starter in the juice. Then add a pinch of sea salt in it.
3) Water It
Pour in one cup of filtered water (room temperature) but make sure you leave a space for gas and bubbles.
4) Cover It
Securely cover the jar and shake it to mix well. Then leave it at room temperature for two to three days.
After that, you can put it in the fridge to cool it and prepare for drinking. When you open the jar, make sure to do it carefully so you can slowly release the gasses.
Why Orange Juice Is A Popular Drink
It’s sweet, delicious, and simply refreshing. Orange juice, whether freshly squeezed or pre-packed, is always among the top choices of fruit drinks anywhere in the world.
Loved by kids and people of all ages, orange juice is a staple beverage at home and in restaurant menus. Moreover, it costs relatively lower than other drinks and beverages available in the market.
Most importantly, orange juice is very popular because it is naturally beneficial for the health, particularly the ones that come from freshly squeezed organic orange fruits. Packed with vitamins and other essential nutrients, orange juice is a great drink that will surely quench anyone’s thirst and fulfill the needed dose of vitamins.
Health Benefits Of Orange
Just like other fruits or whole foods, oranges have tons of health benefits. From the immune to the cardiovascular system, this fruit can improve the overall health of individuals who consume it regularly.
Here are the top five benefits of eating oranges:
1) It can boost your immune system
Oranges are rich in minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamin C. Eating it regularly can help in strengthening the immune system and resistance to ward off infections and diseases.
2) Oranges can improve skin health
The anti-oxidant properties of oranges, along with its vitamins and minerals, all contribute to the improvement of skin health. It is said that eating oranges can make the skin look younger and smoother.
3) It can promote a healthier heart
Oranges are low-calorie, non-fat, and nutrient-dense. They also contain no sodium or cholesterol. Moreover, oranges have fiber, choline, and potassium, which are very good for the heart.
4) Oranges can reduce your cancer risks
Its vitamins and minerals are hand-in-hand in reducing your risks of getting cancer. Free radicals are being eliminated by vitamin C and this makes way for a healthy body ecosystem.
5) It can help prevent certain diseases
Eating oranges can help in reducing your chances of getting various health problems including ulcers, bone problems, kidney stones, respiratory diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Conclusion
That’s it, not too hard, right?
I hope you liked this post on how to ferment orange juice. It’s one of the easier things to ferment for beginners. Try it out, let us know how it came out.
If you liked this post, you may also like our guide on the best home brewing books. They all have excellent information and if you consider yourself a beer-guzzling brewmaster, they are more than worth checking out.
