skip to main content

Can you freeze orange juice?

18 years ago

Our small local grocer currently has delicious sweet blood oranges, and I was thinking of juicing and saving some for later. Is this doable or does it ruin it?

Thanks.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

lindac
18 years ago
Of course....my SIL in AZ does it all the time with lemon juice....why not oranges?
Lidna C
mustangs81
18 years ago
All the juice in Central Florida was frozen last month when the temps dropped to 29 degrees. LOL
Related Discussions
Frozen navel orange juice
Q
Comments (4)
Hi citrus people! I'm not getting much feedback on freezing navel orange juice, but wanted to pass along my results. The juice is dog-gone-good so far as ice cubes. I'm squeezing them all the way. My Washington navels have been holding so long that they are tacky to the touch with sweetness. I sampled some ice cubes and I feel like I've been eating candy. It would be an absolute shame if they turned bitter after time.
...See More
Pressure Canning Orange Juice?
Q
Comments (20)
I can Orange Juice, Grapefruit Juice and Sectionized Grapefruit every year. I would strongly discourage you to use a pressure canner as the excessive heat would change the flavor considerably. Besides, the waterbath is really QUICK! To do the juice, simply juice the fruit, put in jar and waterbath for 10 minutes for pints and 15 minutes for quarts. If you will add a tiny amount of sugar, maybe 1 cup sugar to 12-15 cups juice (or even less) it will help. The sugar helps to remove some of the canned effect. The flavor DOES change, but it tastes very similar to the majority of the frozen/bottled citrus juices at the grocery store. The trick is to chill the juice, shaking a couple of times. Then it truly taste better if you add a little ice water right when you are going to drink it. For the sections -- using a very sharp knife, cut the skin and membrane off the entire fruit. Make sure all the membrane is off as it will make it easier to sectionize and also it is bitter after heated. Then, using a plate knife (dinner knife) and starting at one end, choose an area where there are several larger sections together and start at the left side of the farthest left of the grouping. Slip the knife in with the cutting edge (even though it is the dull kind of knife) up. Push all the way through the fruit and lift up so the knife slides up besides the membrane upward to remove the knife. Then put the knife back in the same section on the right hand side of the section and repeat the process. The section of fruit will fall out. Then, using the knife, flip the membrane over to the left and continue around the entire fruit. After you are sick of sectionizing, go back and remove the seeds. Gently lay the sections in a wide mouth jar. Fill with a very light sugar/water syrup. We do not like sugar, so I use about 1 cup sugar to 12-15 cups water. Even that tiny amount really keeps the fruit from tasting so canned. Jar, seal and waterbath for 10 minutes for pints and 15 minutes for quarts. I am known to push the sections in pints to 15 minutes, just being careful.
...See More
Mayhaw Juice--freeze vs can
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks, Dave. Although mayhaws do grow in bogs and wetlands, they also grow beautifully in well-drained soil. We are fortunate to have good sandy loam at our place, even though most of our area has awful black gumbo clay. My parents told stories of going with their parents to scoop up the mayhaws with nets from the wet, boggy areas, but they planted mayhaws in their yard many years ago. They make a very tasty, unique jelly that is crystal clear deep red. The mayhaw is very tart. It's a beautiful tree, especially in the spring when it is full of white blooms. Since I forget that other parts of the country may not know what a mayhaw is, I found this off the mayhaw.org website: "The mayhaw (crataegus opaca) is a fruit about 1/2" to 1" in diameter. Ripe from mid-April through early May, its fruit color varies from bright red to reddish yellow. It is not a desirable berry for eating raw." "The mayhaw is a Hawthorne native to the southeastern states that is normally a 20 - 30 foot tree at maturity. Usually found in low, wet, slightly acid areas, mayhaws produce best on good upland soils in full sun." "The mayhaw normally flowers in February and March. Ball-shaped at maturity, the mayhaw tree makes a beautiful ornamental." "Historically, Mayhaws have been harvested in backwoods sloughs, swamps, and river bottoms. Boats are sometimes utilized in the harvest of wild mayhaws. Limbs are shaken over the boat and nets are used to scoop them out of the water. Accessibility has dwindled over the years as developers have cleared the woodlands. Commercial and home orchards are now being created with grafted mayhaws." My grandmother used to make a delicious mayhaw cake, which was about 6-8 very thin layers of plain cake and mayhaw jelly. While still warm, she used a toothpick to poke holes in the first layer, pour warm melted mayhaw jelly over it, added the second layer, poked holes, poured jelly, and repeated until finished. The top layer was dusted with powdered sugar. I'm making my mouth water just thinking about it! I have a feeling I won't have enough juice left to can it for drinking. :-) Jill
...See More
juicing questing..can I freeze vegies first?
Q
Comments (2)
When freezing vegetables you need to blanch them in boiling water to stop the enzyme actions that cause loss of flavor, texture and color. See link below for more information. FREEZING RAW VEGETABLE JUICE Michigan State University Extension Preserving Food Safely - 01600682 08/03/99 Raw vegetable juice must be blanched to destroy enzyme activity. To do this, simmer juice for two minutes at a minimum of 190Â°F. Start 2 minute timing when the temperature reaches 190Â°F, NOT BEFORE. Pour into freezer containers. Seal, label, date and freeze. -Grainlady Here is a link that might be useful: National Center for Home Food Preservation/Freezing
...See More
deborah_ps
18 years ago
Yes freeze away!
Other thoughts: Zest and dry on waxed paper, blood orange zest is so colorful.
Also third row down on this link you will see candied orange peel that is a real treat. Double click on it.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.notempire.com/images/uploads/pumpkinbp1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tastespotting.com/page/94%3Freport%3D4673&h=250&w=250&sz=60&hl=en&start=69&tbnid=8rY_stmGudasVM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsauce%2Bfor%2Bbread%2Bpudding%26start%3D54%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
femmelady
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks! I shall get out my juicer and buy out my grocer! I'm picturing drizzling blood orange juice (oh, that color!) over my summer fresh aqueezed margaritas! Deb thanks for the link. What a great idea!
Terrapots
18 years ago
I froze some orange juice some time ago and when thawed it separated, wasn't pretty. Maybe that's why frozen OJ is reconstituted with water. Drank it anyway.
beanthere_dunthat
18 years ago
Where I grew up there was a old-style drug store (with lunch counter) owned by a man whose brother used to bring him truckloads of oranges and lemons from FL. They would squeeze and freeze, then use the frozen to make their lemonade and orangeade the rest of the year. (And man it was deeelicccious!)
dixiedog_2007
18 years ago
I freeze lots of juice from fresh picked fruits and from fruit in the store. I go apple picking every year (2 or three times) and make lots of juice from the ones that are not what I want for baking or eating out of hand. Great for recipes that call for apple juice. Orange juice would be no different.
velodoug
18 years ago
When we were kids our mother made us ice pops with reconstituted frozen orange juice. i can't imagine it wouldn't also work with fresh juice. If the juice separates when it's thawed, I'd give it a quick whiz in the blender which both mixes and aerates it. That's how DW an I improved the taste of store brand frozen OJ in our early days.
hawk307
18 years ago
Femmelady:
They sell frozen Orange Juice in the Markets ???
Lou
dixiedog_2007
18 years ago
Lou you are too funny! Femme, if you are looking to juice for drinking, then it will take quite a few oranges to make enough juice for a glass full and that can get costly. But if using to just add to dishes or baking, etc., then you will be fine.
cat_mom
18 years ago
Don't know about fresh, but I always keep a 1/2 gal container or two of Tropicana OJ in the freezer (I try to pick it up when it's on sale). I take a container out to defrost (in the sink or in the fridge), and keep it in the fridge for use when it's defrosted.
femmelady
Original Author
18 years ago
These are BLOOD oranges! lovely lovely blood oranges - to be drizzled into summer margaritas!
beanthere_dunthat
18 years ago
Come to think of it, I'd probably try to make a blood orange liquor or syrup if they are that cheap.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Succulents Juice Up Outdoor Gardens

By Danyelle Mathews

Climbing garden walls or sprouting from cans and crates, succulent plants add a creative touch to ordinary landscapes

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Get Juicing

By Tracy Benjamin

Stay hydrated and healthy with these tools and accessories for juicing fruits and vegetables right at home

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Kumquats for a Juiced-Up Winter

By Steve Asbell

Grow it for the edible fruit or its good looks alone. This citrus cousin will brighten any gray winter day

FALL GARDENING 5 Fall Fruits You Can Grow in Containers

Brighten your porch or patio with a potted pomegranate, kumquat, blueberry bush or another great fall fruit

COLOR Color Feast: When to Use Orange in the Dining Room

By Jennifer Ott Design

Dial up the zest at mealtimes with doses of snappy orange on dining room walls and furniture

GARDENING GUIDES Warm Up Your Garden With Orange Flowers

By Annie Thornton

Hummingbirds and butterflies are not the only ones who will notice when you introduce a blaze of orange into your garden

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Slices of Orange for a Cheerier February

By Lemonade Makin' Mama

Sprinkle these orange accessories around your home for a brighter outlook on gray days

SHOP HOUZZ Houzz Products: Treat Your Rooms to Orange and Black All Year

It’s no trick. Furnishings and accessories in this bold color pairing keep spaces lively even after Halloween is over

DIY PROJECTS Make an Upholstered Headboard You Can Change on a Whim

By Shelly Miller Leer

Classic stripes today, hot pink tomorrow. You can swap the fabric on this DIY headboard to match your room or your mood

Sponsored

More Discussions

What do you eat when it's REALLY hot?

30

Bone broth help needed

3

Pomegranate treats? Sukkot?

3

10

I can get ONE FREE spice. What would YOU choose?

15