All About Masticating Juicers

Mastication literally means “chewing”; therefore masticating juicers essentially “chew” foods as part of the method for extracting juices.

Masticating juicers are credited with extracting juices at slower speeds that enable the juicer to produce more efficiently with a higher nutrient content. The lower speed also minimizes oxidation which is known to damage or destroy enzymes contained in the juice.

Also known as single gear or wheatgrass juicers, masticating machiness are designed specially to juice leafy greens and wheatgrass and some mastication juicers double as food processers.

Principle behind Masticating Juicers

Most masticating models are single screw machines. The action of the single auger “chews” the fruit or vegetable (pulp, stalk, rind and all) to maximize the juice amount extracted with the highest nutritional values possible.

Other juicers merely spin or press fruits and veggies to force release of the juice. Mastication juicers operate at much slower speeds than centrifugal type juicers. Low speeds allow for quiet operation and less heat formation.

As well as being an excellent fruit and vegetable juicer, mastication machines are great for making sorbet, ice creams, nut butters, pasta and so much more.

What you need to know about Oxidation of Extracted Juices

Why the concern about oxidation of extracted juice? Oxidation occurs when a surface is exposed to oxygen contained in air.

The more a juice is whirled or stirred or the longer it is stored, the more cellular surfaces are exposed to air. One obvious result of this action is the foam produced on top of your juice.

Centrifugal juicers often result in foaming on top of the juice it extracts. Mastication juicers operate at much lower speeds with much less foam production as a result. Oxidation lessens the nutrient value of a glass of juice as well as shortening the shelf life.

Juice is always better consumed quickly after extraction both for taste and health benefit.

Masticating Juicer Pros

There are many advantages realized with masticating models:

• Mastication juicers efficiently break fiber in vegetables and fruit allowing for more nutrition to be extracted from pulp.
• Wheatgrass is no match for mastication juicers as they are efficient fiber processers.
• Slower operation for less oxidation which in turn enables longer shelf life and maximum nutrition.
• Versatility; able to process anything from fruits and veggies to baby food.
• Efficiently juices leafy greens such as spinach that centrifugal juicers cannot process.
• Proven to extract more efficiently than centrifugal juicers. Efficiency translates to cost effectiveness.

Masticating Juicer Cons

Many people are in a hurry to make their morning glass of juice as they head out the door. For these users, mastication juicers may not be appropriate.

• Mastication juicers are time consuming for those who prefer to juice hard vegetables and fruits.

Modus Operandi

A single auger grinds (chews) fruit or vegetables into pulp. This pulp is then pressured through the conical screen filter which separates the juice from the pulp sending the juice to be dispensed into a waiting glass and the pulp to be expelled.

Mastication juicers are highly efficient machines for producing top quality, highly nutritious fresh juices. If you are looking for a juicer capable of juicing leafy greens, fruits, vegetables and wheatgrass, a masticating juicer is assuredly the juicer for you.