Tips for getting more juice from oranges — a practical guide
If you squeeze an orange and get a sad trickle, the problem is not the orange — it is the method. Professional cooks use tricks that noticeably increase the amount of juice.
1. Roll the orange before cutting
Place it on the worktop and roll with your palm. 10-15 seconds. This breaks the internal membranes. Up to 20% more juice.
2. Microwave 15 seconds
If the orange is cold, warm it 15 seconds in the microwave. Gentle heat helps the juice flow.
3. Cut across, not pole to pole
Cut the orange horizontally (equator), not top to bottom. More membranes exposed, more juice released.
4. Use a fork
Without a juicer: stab a fork into the pulp and twist while pressing. Surprisingly effective.
5. Start with real oranges
A ripe-picked Valencia orange has more juice than a supermarket orange picked green. The difference is not subtle.
