How to Make Your Own Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice from Scratch

Now, you can make OJ like a pro! Here's how to make your own fresh-squeezed orange juice from scratch. Start squeezing your own delicious orange juice today!

Did you know that there are over 600 varieties of oranges? Some of the most common ones include Mandarin, Valencia, Navel, and Pineapple Orange.

Not only are they delicious, but they offer many health benefits as well. They’re high in vitamin C, a nutrient that supports the immune system, among other things.

As for how to eat the fruit, there are many options. You can eat it raw, turn it into a dessert or add it to a salad. Juice is another possibility.

Want to learn how to make fresh-squeezed orange juice? If so, you’re on the right page. Keep reading to find out how!

Health Benefits of Orange Juice

Orange juice contains many health benefits, including essential nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and folate. OJ is also a great source of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and flavonoids, all of which are crucial for maintaining good health.

In addition to that, orange juice can prevent kidney stones, decrease inflammation, and improve heart health.

The Best Oranges for Juicing

Oranges are not all the same. Some are more bitter than others, which makes them unsuitable for juicing.

Ideally, you want to use orange fruit with a sweeter profile such as navel oranges, valencia oranges, blood oranges, satsuma oranges, tangelo oranges or tangerines.

How to Make Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice 

Don’t have an electric juicer? No problem—you can just as easily squeeze the orange by hand. Here’s how:

1. Prepare the Oranges 

The first step is to wash the oranges. The goal is to remove any potential pesticide that might be on the skin.

Once you’ve done that, roll the fruits on a countertop with your palm. That will help to break up the individual vesicles, which will allow it to release more juice.

2. Using the Juicer

Cut the oranges in half along the widest part. Lightly poke the surface with a fork.

Holding the fruit over a bowl, plunge the fork in and twist. Continue to move it in a circular motion—this will release juice into the container below.

Repeat until there’s no more juice and move onto the other half.

Note: You can also use a handheld citrus reamer. Simply twist the flesh of the orange on the reamer to extract the juice.

3. Remove the Seeds and Pulp 

The last step is to remove any seeds that might have gotten into the juice. As for the pulp, you can remove it by using a fine-mesh strainer or colander.

Of course, you can also drink it! If anything, it'll provide you with fiber, which will benefit your gut.

Making Your Own Juice 

As you can see, it's easy to make your own fresh-squeezed orange juice. The most important thing is to get the right oranges!

Try our seasonal citrus box while its available...the Craft Citrus Club!

Our Rio box is a 15-lb curated box of our fresh-harvested citrus from South Texas. The fruit is NOT gassed, rather it is tree-ripened. Our season runs from Nov-May for  oranges, grapefruit and mandarins.

Our Grande box is a 30-lb box of either fresh-harvested Rio Red Grapefruit or Sweet Oranges from South Texas.