Tag: juice

Juicer Couture

A gift doesn’t need to be given to be received.

That’s what I tell myself when I’m staring down my wish list, debating how much might be reasonable to receive in a given calendar year. There must be special allowances, however, for a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and genuinely useful, right? That defines the Hurom H310 Easy Clean Slow Juicer in all respects. I can confidently say it’s a pragmatic present you would only regret not treating yourself on.

I’ve been utterly hooked on juicing from the moment I plugged in my H400 by Hurom and suddenly can’t imagine life without such a luxury. Starting the day with a glass of fresh juice is better than any wake up call, rivaling the potency of a trusty espresso shot at times. Now, with this practical indulgence, I never need to deny myself. Compact, lightweight, and highly packable, this little juicer has completely changed the game. You can juice anywhere and everywhere—even while camping out in the wild, if you bring a power source. Limited luggage space makes the notion of putting a whole masticating juicer in a carry-on bag sound downright comical, but this machine always makes the cut.

Have Juice, Will Travel

The defining characteristic of the H310 Easy Clean that sets it apart from everything else on the market is how portable it is. Conventional juicers are hulking, heavy contraptions you could only park on your kitchen counter and leave there, taking up valuable real estate. This one seems to defy the laws of physics with a diameter of just 4 inches and weight of less than 8 pounds. Despite that, it’s still remarkably spacious, capable of accommodating a whole apple or orange with ease, stems, pits, and all.

I’m not one to compromise on quality, which is why the results are so spectacular. Like all Hurom juicers, the low-speed auger maximizes juice extraction from both fruits and vegetables, leaving behind completely dry pulp. As far as efficiency is concerned, this juicer is no slouch. It’s surprisingly quick to assemble, use, and clean, so rather than dreading the process, it’s a rewarding experience from start to finish.

No Mess, No Hassle

The biggest pain point for me has always been the clean-up. Who wants to spend half their morning scraping pulp out of mesh filters and washing a dozen parts? The H310 completely eliminates that stress. Its Easy Clean design means there are fewer parts to deal with, and the few pieces that do require cleaning come apart and go back together effortlessly. For the first time ever, I don’t feel like I’m cleaning a juicer more than I’m actually using it. That, to me, is worth the price of admission alone.

Besides, there isn’t much to clean up in the first place. This juicer’s low-speed masticating system ensures you’re getting a high yield with minimal pulp. You get nutrient-packed juice with minimal foam that stays fresh longer than the average home-pressed options.

A Juicer for Your Life, Not Just Your Kitchen

The H310 isn’t just eye candy to bejewel your countertop; it’s the kind of appliance that keeps pace with your busy life. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or just trying to streamline your daily routine, this juicer makes healthy living feel doable, no matter where you are. Once you’ve tasted the fresh juice it creates, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought.

At this point, I’d argue it’s not just a want, but a need, as a simple, thoughtful gift that feels both luxurious and practical. If I could give it to everyone I know, I would, because it really does make life just a little bit better.

Hannah (BitterSweet)Leave a comment

Hitting The Juice

In the world of juicers, Hurom has perpetually ranked in the upper echelons. Earning top recommendations from the raw foods chefs I idolized as a baby vegan, it was always the brand to beat. Sleek and stylish, these upright fountains looked nothing like the hulking turbines of yore, but more importantly, their groundbreaking slow juicing technology completely changed the game for home juicers. After years of yearning for my own, I can finally take it off my wish list.

The H400 Easy Clean Slow Juicer is the luxury sports car of small kitchen appliances. Tackling the biggest complaint that conventional juicers are a pain to clean, this model makes convenience a priority. Juicing at home is MUCH more appealing when you don’t have to factor in the hassle of disassembling, scraping, and scrubbing every time you make a single drink. The fact that it’s far more efficient than most other juicers has a lot to do with that, creating minimal pulp that’s remarkably, exceptionally, almost completely dry, rather than leaving a thick, wet sludge caked over mesh screens and every exposed surface.

What Makes Hurom Juicers So Special?

Before Hurom hit the scene, most juicers available outside of a commercial setting were centrifugal juicers, using a high-speed blade to shred produce and then spin it rapidly though a mesh screen. Fast, but far from effective, the resulting juice is very frothy, low yield, and must be consumed right away. Plus, leafy greens pretty much get chewed up and spit out since they’re harder to process.

Hurom machines are masticating juicers, which essentially “chew” the ingredients using slow rotations of an auger before separating liquids from solids. Slow Squeeze Technology (SST) is designed to mimic the natural motion of hand-squeezing juice, ensuring that the juice retains its natural nutrients and flavors. Here’s how it works:

  1. Slow Rotation: The juicer operates at a low speed of just 43 revolutions per minute (RPM), which minimizes heat buildup and oxidation. Less oxidation means the juice stays fresh and nutrient-rich for a longer time after pressing.
  2. High Pressure: The technology uses high pressure to squeeze fruits and vegetables, extracting every last drop of juice. More juice, less pulp.

Not Just For Juicing

Before you say, “not another unitasker!”, I’ll have you know that this beauty does far more than the average juice press. Have you ever wanted your own nut milk maker? Frozen dessert machine? Soup starter? Baby food blender? Guess what: Now you’ve got them. Factor in all the ways to transform the pulp into crackers, flour for cakes and breads, dog treats, and more, and you’re looking at an incredible versatile, zero waste powerhouse.

Healthy Happy Hour

An unexpected side benefit is that it’s much more compelling to make myself a mocktail these days. When I think I’m craving a drink, I’m really just craving a refreshing treat, something that feels special, that I can sip and savor. I’d rather not feel dull, tired, or tipsy if I can avoid it. Use a fancy glass, some nice clear ice, add bitters and sparkling water, and you’ll beat the neighborhood bar at their own game.

Get Your Creative Juices Going

From sweet to savory, morning to night, my beautiful H400 Easy Clean Slow Juicer is the only appliance that gets a more vigorous daily workout than my air fryer. It took nearly two decades for me to get my Hurom and while I would have loved to live the juice life much sooner, it was well worth the wait.

Hannah (BitterSweet)5 Comments

Fresh Starts

Strapped for cash, struggling to make ends meet as the year winds down, the time had come to sacrifice some of my extraneous toys. I finally bid adieu to an old friend, and sold my juicer. The behemoth had flown with me from Connecticut to California made the drive from Oakland to Austin, surviving both treacherous journeys without so much as a scratch. Don’t get me wrong; I loved the masticating monster. It just never found a stable place in my daily routine. Peering out from the cabinet periodically, it would catch my eye as the light glinted off its stainless steel facade, only to return to the darkness untouched.

It deserved better. A machine should be used, not just stored. Helping to kick-start a neighbor’s newfound fervor for juicing, it’s a relief to see the old gal find a loving new home, as hard as it is to let go. Before that fateful day, we gave it one last whirl, squeezing the last drops of joy from our time together.

Releasing a golden wave of liquid sunshine into my glass, tropical notes of pineapple spiked with the bright acidity of fresh lemon flowed freely in this last hurrah. Naturally sweet without any sugar, the blend was tart, tangy, bright and bold. It glistened with vitality, fresh and invigorating. That would be enough for a morning wake up call, but to celebrate the occasion, a splash of sparkling white wine felt like an appropriate final touch.

As I raise this glass, to friendship and new beginnings, my heart swells with hope for the future. May 2021 be better for all of us.

Cheers!

Continue reading “Fresh Starts” →

Hannah (BitterSweet)7 Comments

How Does Your Garden Glow?

Bursting with unlimited culinary potential, the hardest part of cooking with fresh produce is to simply let it shine. Don’t over-think it! Good taste comes naturally, fresh from the garden, in colors as bold as the flavors within. That’s the premise behind Garden of Flavor, cold-pressed juices from down-to-earth folks that stubbornly believe in quality over unnecessary complexity.

That approach makes a real difference you can taste with just one sip. Certified organic, nothing comes from concentrates, there’s no added sugar, and not a hint of preservatives to be found.

Of course, keeping it simple doesn’t have to mean you’re getting a raw deal. After drinking down a bottle of the Twisted Roots blend for the umpteenth time, it struck me as the ideal base for an unconventional pasta sauce that still bears all the nostalgic comfort of simple Sunday sauce.

Believe it or not, this bolognese has neither meat nor tomatoes, yet it’s not missing a thing in terms of taste. No nightshades needed with this rich sauce, singing of highly aromatic herbs and savory seasonings. Beets and carrots build a solid foundation that can support any noodle in need, be it wheat, bean-based, zucchini, or more.

Omit the nuts for a simple marinara, puree to slather it on pizza, layer it in for lasagnas, add extra juice to soup it up, or add a splash of coconut milk for a creamier concoction.

From garden to table, naturally, it doesn’t get any better.

Continue reading “How Does Your Garden Glow?” →

Hannah (BitterSweet)6 Comments

Mary Me

How one of the most beloved brunch pairings ever became associated with a murderous ex-queen of England is beyond me. Countless were condemned to an early death under the rule of Queen Mary I, leaving her with few friends to raise a glass with. Complicating matters is the fact that the tomato and vodka mixer didn’t appear anywhere in history until the 1930s when vodka began to flow from Russia following the second world war, many centuries after her own demise. Numerous early mixologists claim to have invented the original cocktail, and just as many stories behind the gruesome name exist- None particularly compelling. Attempts at uncovering the truth end up looking about as murky and opaque as the drink itself.

No one needs help understanding the modern Bloody Mary, on the other hand. Instantly recognizable and ubiquitous across the globe, you can rest assured that if there are spirits on the menu, the bartender can undoubtedly fix you the bold red brew. Like pizza and sex, even the bad ones are pretty good.

That all said, there’s no reason to settle for sufficiency or fall into a boring routine. Though incredible simple in composition, each separate component can be tweaked to yield a brave new blend.

  • Vegetable Juice: Tomato will always reign supreme and for good reason. Naturally balanced with the delicate nuances of savory, salty, sweet, and sour, it’s tough to beat such a carefully calibrated blend. Tradition shouldn’t put a damper on your creativity though; there’s plenty of room for a fresh perspective, and this foundation ingredient is where you’ll make the biggest impact. Shake things up, with or without a proper cocktail shaker, by looking farther afield. Either solo or in concert with pure tomato juice, consider carrot, celery, tomatillo, or beet.
  • Alcohol: While generally mild spirits that play well with others are your best bets here, more robust beverages can become a more prominent piece of the puzzle, defining the character of the drink. Vodka or sake are your best bets for simplicity, and tequila or gin can provide a refreshing change of pace. You could even turn it into more of a spritzer or cooler with champagne or dry white wine. For a virgin drink, use still or sparkling water.
  • Acid: Bright, astringent notes are essential for lightening the overall mix, delivered via citrus or vinegar. Lemon juice, lime juice, rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or balsamic vinegar are all excellent options.
  • Umami Sauce: For lack of a better title, this is your secret weapon; the component that most people will overlook but miss sorely if it doesn’t make the final cut. Vegan Worcestershire, store-bought or homemade, is the default option, but you should definitely consider soy sauce, coconut aminos, or vegemite/marmite for the job, too.
  • Spice: Heat preferences are highly subjective so dial it up or down according to taste, taking the potency of your selection into account. Add a touch of warmth or a blazing inferno with horseradish, Tabasco sauce, sriracha, wasabi paste, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or paprika.
  • Salt: Salt is salt, right? Not so fast. Seasoned salt can jazz things up, and celery salt could lend an extra vegetal zest. Smoked salt is also fabulous for adding another layer of depth and meaty aroma.
  • Garnishes: If it fits in or on a glass, it’s a valid garnish option. The sky is truly the limit (just take a cursory look through Google Images if you think that’s an exaggeration) but classic, mostly highly recommended options include: coarse salt rim, celery stalks, pickled okra, jalapeno, or green beans, lemon wedge, cucumber spears, asparagus stalks, olives, or sliced radishes.

With these suggestions in mind, select your favorites and follow the Basic Bloody Mary Blueprint:

Yield: 1 Serving

Bloody Mary Blueprint

Bloody Mary Blueprint

Never settle for a lackluster Bloody Mary. Though incredible simple in composition, each separate component can be tweaked, mixed, and match to suit your unique tastes.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Cup Vegetable Juice
  • 1/4 Cup Alcohol
  • 2 Teaspoons Acid
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Umami Sauce
  • 1/8 - 1/2 Teaspoon Spice
  • Pinch Salt
  • Pinch Ground Black Pepper
  • Ice (Optional)
  • Garnishes (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix everything up, adjusting individual components to taste. Serve over ice (or don't) and garnish as desired (or don't.) You really can't mess this one up, I promise.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 130Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 359mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 4gProtein: 1g
© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Beverages

Hannah (BitterSweet)8 Comments