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Freezing Orange Juice

12 years ago

I'm the lucky recipient of several bags of oranges from central FL that my husband bought while on a business trip.

They are absolutely delicious and we have been eating oranges and squeezing fresh juice like crazy!

I'd like to squeeze some juice, pour it into a freezer bag, and then use later. I'm not talking long term storage but rather would use it up over the period of maybe 3 months.

Is this the best way to freeze oj? Any hints or suggestions from all you orange growing pros would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

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Comments (5)

johnmerr
12 years ago
Ever heard of FCOJ? Frozen concentrated orange juice? Minute Maid? Open the can, add water, and you have orange juice.

Any citrus juice freezes perfectly and lasts for a year or more. Put it in ice cube trays, ziplock freezer bags, whatever.

Nice to have friends that share their harvest with you.
malcolm_manners
12 years ago
The only problem you'll find is that if you don't pasteurize it first, when you thaw it, it will separate -- the pulp will rise to the top and the bottom layer will be clear. But that doesn't in any way affect the flsvor or nutritional value; just stir it before you pour it into the glass.
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I tried freezing orange juice here in Ca. But always found that after thawing it didn't mix together as well as fresh juice. I did wonder, however, if one could siphon off the watery part of the juice - then freeze the heavier layer below. After setting in the fridge for a day - it separates so that the top is mostly water. I haven't tried it - mainly because we have oranges most all year round and I felt it a waste of freezer space to try to preserve it. We also have ripe citrus in the form of Satsuma mandarin orange in Dec/Jan/Feb months, so now the only juice I freeze in cubes is lemon and lime - because it is convenient to use that way. Just my 2 c's. Bejay
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fammsimm
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you very much for the info, John and Malcolm.

I didn't know if there was a preferred method of storage, so freezer bags it is.

It's also great to know that it will last for a year or more!

Thanks, again!
cebury
12 years ago
I was going to mention the same thing Malcolm mentioned about separation.

Are these Valencias? If so, then skip the rest of this note and enjoy your frozen OJ!

If not, have you tried the juice after leaving in the fridge overnight? If it tastes fine the next day, you'll be good. If it tastes bitter, it may be a waste of your time to juice it all and then freeze it; it won't taste any less better when thawing it out later.

Good luck to ya!
User
12 years ago
They probably are not Valencias as they are still green here. If I had to guess they are Page, Nova or a Tangelo Minneola or Orlando ect. Good stuff.

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