These 3 ingredients, (fennel, apple and ginger), blend so well and make a deliciously refreshing and nourishing sweet drink. Each ingredient is a nutritional powerhouse on their own, but they share a common trait which is that they all help with creating a healthy gut.

For some reason I pushed my juicer aside for a while and lately I have been craving something sweet to drink. Back in the day this would have been a brightly coloured and very sweet soda. But, I haven’t drunk a soda in years, nor do I have any urge to.

I also don’t believe in adding sugar to juices which is why I chose red apples over green for this recipe and boy it was a winner!

So when I say Fennel, Apple and Ginger are a potent mix when it comes to nutrients this is why:

Apples are a fantastic fruit – so much so, I wrote an entire article on them. Read here if you want to find out more about the gut healing, antioxidant rich and anti-histamine benefits of apples.

Fennel is on the list for a future article, but until then the highlights are that fennel, among many things have excellent carminative properties, (which means it helps relieve gas).

Ginger is unquestionably know for its immune building properties, but it too has excellent gut healing and soothing properties.

Individually and collectively the ingredients really do a lot for our digestive system.

Having said all that juicing can seem like something best left to the manufacturers and restaurants, which isn’t necessarily true. If you are  new to juicing then the following guide is a very, and I mean very, basic overview of juicing methods that you can do at home.

Juicing methods

1. Centrifugal Juicer

This is a juicer with a grater like cone that spins at really high speeds and shreds the ingredients. As the ingredients are shredded the liquid is spun out by the centrifugal force and funnelled into a jug or vessel. The pulp is then expelled into a separate container. Depending on the juicer and what is being juiced, small amounts of water may be needed to help with the juicing process.

Pro Tip – It is highly recommended to line the pulp container with a nut milk bag or fluff free cloth as the pulp wont be completely void of liquid. Before discarding the pulp, be sure to hand squeeze any remaining liquids out into a jug and ensure you are getting the most out of your ingredients.

2. Masticating Juicer

This juicer essentially feeds the ingredients into a tube where an auger slowly turns and crushes the ingredients. Masticating means to chew and the auger is effectively mimicking the chewing action of crushing and grinding. Due to the power, intensity and slow movement of the auger there is less oxidation occurring. This means less foam on top of the juice which is what will make it ‘age’ or turn brown quicker. The pulp and liquid is also separated here, but unlike centrifugal juicers there is little to no liquid left in the pulp.

Pro Tip – While the masticating juicer may be more thorough at extracting juice and easier to clean, it is considerably more expensive than a centrifugal juicer. If you are only juicing occasionally you may want to rather consider getting a centrifugal juicer or using your blender.

3. Blender Juicing

Using a high speed blender is a quick and easy way to start juicing. If space or budget is an issue for you, then this is an easy way to enjoy the benefits of juicing without any major commitment other than time.

Effectively you are are adding chunks of ingredients with water into a high speed blender. The water makes it easier for the blades to viscerate and move the ingredients evenly. You may need to stop and scrape the ingredients from the sides and get them into the blades vortex. Be sure to stop and switch the blender power off first and DO NOT DO THIS WHILE THE MACHINE IS ON!

Once the contents are smooth, (almost like a smoothie), you can pour the ingredients in a very fine sieve, use a nut milking bag or fluff free cloth to manually squeeze the juice out into a bowl or jug.

Pro Tip – Adding water can dilute the juice slightly and the process can be a little messy. However, it does give you an idea of the amount of ingredients required and possible waste associated with juicing. This would definitely be the place to start before making any major commitments or purchases.

What to do with the pulp?

The pulp can be used in many ways, here are a few suggestions:

• You may want to freeze it and add to a soup or smoothie mix that will be blended.
• Composting your pulp is a much better option than just throwing it away.
• Drying it out and using it in flours or doughs.

Now that we know how, let’s get to juicing…

(PS: this is a firm family favorite in my home – hope you and yours enjoy it just as much)

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