The Hype About Cold-Pressed Juice

Moving to Portland, ME for graduate school has introduced me to a wide selection of new restaurants and food items in just a few short months. It is DEFINITELY hard to live on a budget while being here, dying to explore the best food in Maine😅... Some of the newest trends seems to be that of smoothie bowls, (packed with antioxidant-rich berries, and fresh ground nut butters), and "cold-pressed" juice. Upon first taste, I'm a huge fan of both new trend but I've been very eager to learn more, particularly regarding the juice. Fruit juice has gotten such a bad rap lately, due to the added sugars and low fiber content... so I've been extremely curious about the new health food juices that are cold pressed and apparently still retain all the benefits of the fruits involved. How does this process occur? Why are these juices superior? And where have I found my favorites? KEEP READING...😋

Cold pressing juice is a specific process in which a hydraulic press and juice pulverizer are used to juice the fruits and vegetables, not your typical centrifugal juicer that you may be familiar with. Now the typical centrifugal juicers, are much cheaper, quicker & easier to use, BUT the juices they yield must be consumed within 30 minutes of making them. During this juicing process, the sharp blade slices through the cell walls of the fruits/veggies, inducing damage and quick nutrient breakdown of the ingredients. Don't misunderstand me, the centrifugal juicer is absolutely a great asset to any kitchen, but these juices are not adequate for long-term storage.

Cold pressing juice is a technique quickly gaining popularity because of its numerous proven benefits, including weight loss, improving skin clarity, reducing high blood pressure, improving immunity, increasing energy levels, and possible disease prevention. The juicing process with hydraulic pressure is much different in that no blade is used to slide the fruits and vegetables, meaning no friction nor heat are generated, preventing the onset of damage upon the plant products. The technique used is strictly pressure, preserving the nutrient, mineral, and enzyme contents of the produce involved. This type of bottled juice has a much longer shelf life of up to 5 to 7 days, compared to less than an hour with a centrifugal juicer. 

Why is cold pressed juice so superior? Because of its ability to retain all the vitamins and minerals of the fruits and vegetables, cold pressing juice can yield a variety of great tasting drinks that truly serve to "detoxify" the digestive system. NOW, let's get things straight first... In no way am I preaching the crazy detoxes we see advertised on television, online, and most recently all over Instagram. I will NEVER advise the consumption of solely juice for a week, let alone one entire day. The juices should never be used for meal replacements to quickly shed pounds, but I am emphasizing that they can be a wonderful addition to any balanced diet.

Some of my favorites shown above are a staple of my typical diet (the almond milks are staples as well but not within the same juice category). They not only taste delicious and refreshing, but also boost my energy and focus and get my stomach feeling back to normal after my diet gets a bit out of whack - for example, after the comfort food-filled holidays!😊Even after one juice, I notice a marked difference in whatever issue I'm having - whether it be indigestion, bloating, cramps, or heartburn. I've also noticed positive effects on my skin over time with many fewer breakouts and oiliness! However, these types of juicers can cost thousands of dollars... so I leave it up to the expert shops to make the delightful drinks for me...😛

Maine Juice Co. of Portland, ME is my go-to spot since beginning graduate school in the fall. I've been to many places before that fill their products with added sugars and sweeteners but Maine Juice does absolutely none of that. All ingredients within the cold-pressed juice are organic, non-GMO, and locally grown fruits & vegetables whenever possible. I've been so impressed by the quality and flavor of their products - I can't stop going back! 

I hope this helps explain the distinct juicing process that has proven to be so beneficial. It's certain that not all juices are created equal and there are many flavors I prefer over others, but overall, they serve as excellently flavorful diet/immunity boosters. So give the cold-pressed variety a try and let me know what you think! 

Thank you as always for reading, many more to come! Opinions, comments, and questions welcome:) 

XOXO - Colleen (@cocos_gymsta)