Learning how to make cold-pressed apple juice is easier than you might think.
You don't need fancy equipment or a food science degree. All you need are fresh apples, a bit of patience, and the right technique.
This guide walks you through everything. From picking the best apples to storing your juice properly. We'll even share some flavour upgrades to keep things interesting.
What Is Cold-Pressed Apple Juice?
Cold-pressed juice works differently from the stuff you grab off supermarket shelves.
Traditional juicers use fast-spinning blades that generate heat. Cold pressing skips the blades entirely. Instead, a hydraulic press slowly crushes and squeezes the fruit.
The result? More vitamins stay in your glass, and the juice actually tastes like fresh apples.
Benefits of Cold-Pressed Apple Juice
Cold-pressed apple juice keeps more vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants intact. These nutrients break down more slowly than in regular juice.
You'll also skip the added sugars and preservatives found in most shop-bought options. When juice tastes this good fresh, it doesn't need extras.
One thing to remember: juice lacks the fibre found in whole apples. Enjoy it alongside whole fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet, not as a replacement.
What You Need to Make Cold-Pressed Apple Juice
Good news! You don't need a commercial kitchen to make cold-pressed apple juice at home.
A few bits of equipment and the right apples will get you sorted.
Here's what to gather before you start:
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Sweeter apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp
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Masticating (slow) juicer or a high-speed blender for breaking down the apples
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Nut milk bag or fine cheesecloth for straining out the pulp
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Sharp knife and chopping board for coring (apple seeds contain amygdalin, so always remove them)
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Airtight glass bottles or mason jars for storage
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Lemon to prevent browning and add a bit of zing
A hydraulic press is lovely if you're serious about the hobby, but it's not essential. A decent masticating juicer or the blender-and-bag method works brilliantly for home batches.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Cold-Pressed Apple Juice
Right, sleeves up. Time to turn those apples into liquid gold.
Step 1: Prep Your Apples
Give your apples a good wash. If they're organic, the skins can stay on. That's where loads of nutrients hide.
Grab your knife and chop out the cores. Remember those pesky seeds we mentioned? They need to go. Then slice the apples into chunks small enough for your juicer or blender.
Step 2: Press Your Juice
When using a masticating juicer, feed the chunks through slowly. Let the machine do the crushing. No need to rush it. The slower you go, the more juice you'll get out.
When using the blender method, pop your apple chunks in with a tiny splash of water. Just enough to get things moving. Pulse until you've got something like chunky applesauce.
Now grab your nut milk bag, hold it over a large bowl, and pour the mash in. Here's where you earn your juice. Squeeze that bag as it owes you money and get every last drop out.
Step 3: Finish and Store
Add a squeeze of lemon immediately. This stops the juice from turning brown and adds a nice brightness.
Pour into your glass bottles, filling them right to the top. Less air means less oxidation.
Now the hard part: waiting. Just kidding! Drink it straight away or pop it in the fridge for up to three days.
How to Store Cold-Pressed Apple Juice
You've done the hard work. Now let's keep that juice fresh.
Cold-pressed apple juice stays good for about 72 hours in the fridge. After that, the flavour fades, and nutrients start breaking down.
Store it in airtight glass bottles. Fill them right to the brim to keep air out. And shove them towards the back of the fridge where it's coldest.
Flavour Upgrades to Try
Plain apple juice is lovely. But why stop there? Once you've nailed the basic method, start experimenting. Your kitchen, your rules.
Here are some combinations worth trying:
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Ginger adds a warming kick that wakes up your whole system
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Lemon slows down browning and brings a zingy freshness
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Spinach or kale sneaks in extra greens without overpowering the apple
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Turmeric and black pepper for an anti-inflammatory twist
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Cucumber and mint for something light and summery
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Cinnamon and nutmeg, when autumn rolls around
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Pear for extra sweetness and a silky texture
Start small. A thumb of ginger or a handful of spinach goes further than you'd think. You can always add more next time.
Short on Time? Try Ready-Made Cold-Pressed Juice From EXALT!
Some mornings, the juicer stays in the cupboard.
Maybe you've got back-to-back meetings, or maybe you just can't face the washing up today. We've all been there.
That's what EXALT drinks are for.
EXALT cold-pressed juice range gives you the same nutrient-packed goodness without the prep work.
A few favourites worth checking out:
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Higher Energy packs 150mg of natural caffeine with cherry and pomegranate. Perfect before a workout.
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Glow Up features antioxidants and chicory root extract to support gut health.
Whether you're juicing at home or grabbing a bottle on the go, cold-pressed juice fits right into a busy life. Browse the EXALT cold-pressed juice collection and pick your favourite flavour!
