Common Juicing Mistakes Beginners Make—and How to Fix Them

Wheeling, IL

At the start of each year, countless people purchase slow juicers as part of their New Year’s health resolutions. The first few days are filled with enthusiasm, but usage gradually declines until the juicer ends up gathering dust in a kitchen corner.

Why does this happen? Most of the time, it’s not the product. It’s not knowing how to use it properly.

Let’s explore the most common mistakes beginners make and how to fix them.

Why Does My Juice Taste Bitter?

This is the most frequent question from first-time juicer users: “I followed the recipe exactly! Why is it so bitter?”

Here are the main causes of bitter-tasting juice:

1. Not Removing Peels and Seeds The white pith of citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits produces a strong bitter taste. Apple seeds do the same. Completely peel citrus fruits and remove the seed area from apples for better flavor.
2. Too Many Leafy Greens Kale, celery, and spinach are healthy, but adding too much from the start creates an overpowering bitter taste. Beginners should maintain a higher fruit ratio and gradually increase greens over time.
3. Oxidized Juice Leaving juice out for too long causes oxidation, which intensifies bitterness. Drink juice immediately after making it. If storage is necessary, use an airtight container and consume within a short period.

Beginner-Friendly Recipes

When starting out, focus on fruits and add small amounts of greens.

As you become more accustomed, gradually increase the proportion of leafy vegetables. The saddest mistake is giving up because you tried to get healthy too quickly and ended up overwhelmed by bitter juice.

Check out Delicious Juice Recipes!

Using the Wrong Order

Another issue is the feeding order. Randomly adding ingredients can result in poor extraction or reduced juice yield.

The Correct Feeding Order:

1. Leafy greens (kale, spinach, etc.)
2. Hard ingredients (apples, carrots, etc.)

Hard ingredients push the leafy greens through, making juicing much smoother.

Juicer Performance Matters

Recent slow juicers are designed to handle fibrous ingredients without clogging. Products with dual feeding chutes or wide feeding chutes that accommodate whole fruits are particularly beginner-friendly. Considering these features when selecting a juicer can significantly reduce the chances of frustration.

Final Tips for Successful Juicing

A juicer, when used properly, becomes an excellent tool for building a daily health routine.

Choose simple recipes and user-friendly products, and your juicer won’t end up collecting dust.

Avoid the mistakes above, and this year can truly be your healthiest yet. Start using your juicer the right way—today!