Centrifugal VS Masticating Juicer Explained

Once we know the types of blenders that the market offers, we will know their differences and particularities. Regular blender or cold pressed? Which do you prefer for your perfect juice?

There is nothing like a good juice for breakfast, replenishing energy, or refreshing ourselves throughout the day. Now that summer is approaching, you may be thinking of investing in a blender to enjoy your juices at home, but which one to choose? To help you decide, we analyze the differences between a masticating or “slow extraction” juicer and a centrifugal blender, also known as a traditional blender. What are their advantages?

Centrifugal vs. Masticating juicer

The first thing to know is that there are currently two types of blenders on the market that differ by the juice extraction system. Traditional or “normal” blenders are based on centrifugation, while the latest, newer models opt for the so-called mastication, which is cold pressing or slow extraction.

The centrifuge uses blades that move at high speed to crush the fruit and vegetables. This movement is based on a very fast centrifugal force that manages to extract the juices from the fruits and vegetables inside, separating the juice from the pulp. The motor rotates the blades very quickly, between 10,000 and 20,000 revolutions per minute, with great power to cut, shred and separate liquid from what has been traditionally interpreted as waste.

Good examples of such juicers are

* Vidia CJ-001 in the UK
* Breville Juicer Cold XL
* Magimix Juice Expert 3 in the UK

By contrast, a masticating juicer does a gentle, low-speed process that constantly cold presses the ingredients. To achieve this effect, it uses a piece similar to a screw or helical mill in the shape of a pineapple, which moves at low revolutions. It acts without exceeding 60 revolutions per minute (in some juicers, as slow as 40 RPM) but exerts excellent pressure. This is how the juices are extracted without cutting the ingredients or increasing the temperature.

* Omega H3000D
* Hurom H200
* Ninja JC101 Cold Press Pro

Comparing the juices in each extraction process

Are there differences in the juice obtained according to the type of blender? Yes, each system will give us different results. Although we can obtain a large amount of juice with both, the final finish in the glass shows notable differences. But the type of cup or glass you use is also essential, it is not the same, and you will be able to notice nuances; some people prefer to drink it in a fine glass.

A centrifugal blender produces a lot of juice, but the texture is sometimes slightly denser and thicker due to some residue in the liquid, a paler color, and not quite uniform. The same volume is obtained with a cold-press blender, but the result is smoother, more homogeneous, and with a silky and uniform texture, with a more vivid and brilliant color.

And another big difference between the two is clearly seen in the finish as the minutes pass. That of a traditional blender begins to separate into colloidal layers that are not very attractive to the eye, leaving the water below and the fruit and vegetable concentrate on top, forcing us to stir vigorously to reincorporate them if we do not drink it immediately. Because of this, the juice obtained from a centrifugal juicer will only last up to 24 hours.

This does not happen with slow extraction, whose juices retain that homogeneity even after 72 hours or more. The slow mastication process prevents the water from separating and does not create layers in the glass. This way, you can prepare the juice in advance, even the day before, preserving the uniform texture for longer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the masticating juicer

Now that we have analyzed what differentiates cold pressing in terms of its technique, we can examine its actual advantages and disadvantages to decide on one model or another. Slow extraction blenders have a significantly higher price than traditional ones; is it worth it?

Cold-pressed or cold-pressed juices have become fashionable as healthy drinks full of virtues because they concentrate the maximum amount of nutrients and prevent oxidation. Does that mean that they preserve vitamins better?

That the vitamins “go away” in regular juices is a myth. It has only been shown that there can be a loss of vitamin C if they are subjected to extreme temperatures, so cold extraction does maintain it better, but the difference is not very significant. More interesting is the ability to extract the fiber while preserving a smooth texture.

What is an advantage of these blenders is that they prevent oxidation, but it is an added aesthetic and taste value that does not affect the vitamins. Using slow, cold pressing, fruits and vegetables retain their color and flavor and remain stable for longer. The juice does not darken or separate over the hours; it does not become bitter and thus remains appetizing. As a disadvantage, it should be noted that, depending on the model and the recipe to be prepared, they may require chopping the ingredients into small pieces.

On the other hand, some of these blenders, such as the Ninja JC101 Cold Press Pro professional cold blender for home use, can press more fibrous and complex ingredients, such as leafy vegetables, pomegranates, artichokes, or even nuts. This allows us to prepare recipes such as milk and vegetable drinks (almond, corn, soy, or nuts, for example) or green juices. Finally, they usually include several filters to make different recipes: juices, vegetable milk, sauces, and sorbets.

However, there is another consideration to factor in the ease of use. While both juicers are reasonably straightforward, it is considerably easier to clean a centrifugal juicer than a masticating juicer. Besides, centrifugal juicers make considerably more noise than their cold-pressed counterpart, which is ideal if the user prefers a quiet morning.

In summary, a pressure blender requires a higher financial investment but gives better results in terms of flavor, texture, and versatility in recipes. If we are interested in preparing very varied juices by adding vegetables with a good flavor and pleasant to drink, cold extraction can be a perfect choice, as long as we take advantage of it by using it frequently at home.

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