What is a masticating juicer?

Masticating juicer is a type of juicer that uses a slow, low-speed crushing and pressing action to extract juice from fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This type of juicer is known for its ability to produce high-quality juice with minimal oxidation and heat buildup, resulting in fresher, more nutritious juice that retains its natural flavors, enzymes, and nutrients. Here's a breakdown of how a masticating juicer works:

1. Feed Chute: The masticating juicer typically has a narrow feed chute where you insert the produce. The size of the chute may vary depending on the juicer model.

2. Grinding Mechanism: Inside the juicer, there is a rotating part with several gears or teeth. These gears slowly grind and crush the produce into a pulp. This process mimics the way humans chew food, hence the name "masticating."

3. Low Speed: Masticating juicers typically operate at a low speed, usually between 80 to 100 revolutions per minute (RPM). This slow speed helps minimize friction and heat, preserving the nutrients in the produce.

4. Auger: The rotating gears or teeth work together with an auger, which is a spiral-shaped component. The auger moves the pulp forward and applies increasing pressure to squeeze out the juice.

5. Dual-Stage Juicing: Some masticating juicers feature a dual-stage juicing system. In the first stage, the produce is crushed and ground, while in the second stage, the pulp undergoes a second round of squeezing to extract more juice.

6. Juice Outlet: The extracted juice flows out through a juice outlet into a container or designated cup placed beneath the juicer.

7. Pulp Ejection: The leftover pulp, also known as pomace, is discharged separately through a pulp chute or outlet.

One advantage of a masticating juicer is that it can handle a wider variety of produce, including leafy greens, wheatgrass, and herbs, which can be difficult to juice using other types of juicers. Additionally, because of the slow juicing process, masticating juicers tend to produce less foam and have higher juice yields compared to other juicing methods.

Masticating juicers are generally more expensive than centrifugal juicers, but they may be worth the investment if you're looking for a juicer that produces high-quality, nutrient-rich juice, especially if you plan on juicing a variety of produce regularly.