Celery has been taking the health and wellness world by storm, particularly in the form of celery juice. This humble green vegetable is renowned for its numerous health benefits and versatility. Whether you are an avid juicer or just starting to explore the world of celery juice, this article will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to wash celery for juicing. We will delve into the benefits of celery, its overall healthiness, the difference between consuming whole celery and juicing it, the use of leaves in celery juice, the importance of washing celery, ingredients to enhance your celery juice, and more.
Additionally, we will introduce an all-natural fruit and vegetable wash that is the ideal solution for ensuring your celery and other produce are clean and safe to consume. This plant-based, vegan wash is designed to remove chemicals, dirt, soil, wax, dust, and pesticides, preserving the natural flavour and nutrients of your food while eliminating worries about harmful contaminants.
The Benefits of Celery
Celery, often labelled as a "superfood," is packed with essential nutrients and health benefits that make it an excellent choice for juicing. Here are some of the key advantages of incorporating celery into your diet:
⦁ Low in calories: Celery is renowned for being incredibly low in calories, making it a top choice for anyone looking to manage their weight. A single cup of chopped celery contains only about 16 calories. This low-calorie feature makes it a fantastic addition to weight loss and calorie-controlled diets, allowing you to consume a generous portion without worrying about excessive caloric intake.
⦁ Hydration: One of the standout qualities of celery is its high-water content, approximately 95% water. This makes it an exceptional hydrating food, contributing to your daily fluid intake. Adequate hydration is essential for maintaining healthy bodily functions, from temperature regulation to transporting nutrients and removing waste products from the body.
⦁ Rich in vitamins and minerals: Celery is not just water and fibre; ⦁ it's also packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It's an excellent source of ⦁ vitamin K, offering 37% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) in just one cup. In addition to vitamin K, celery provides ⦁ vitamin A and ⦁ vitamin C, which are crucial for immune function, skin health, and vision. It's also rich in ⦁ minerals like potassium, which plays a vital role in regulating blood pressure, ⦁ and folate, essential for DNA synthesis and cell growth.
⦁ Antioxidant properties: ⦁ The antioxidants found in celery help combat oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress is linked to a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Celery contains compounds such as flavonoids, beta-carotene, and other polyphenols, which neutralise harmful free radicals and protect cells from damage.
⦁ Anti-inflammatory: Celery's anti-inflammatory properties stem from its phytonutrient content, notably compounds like apigenin and luteolin. Reducing inflammation in the body is associated with a lower risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, ⦁ arthritis, and even ⦁ certain types of cancer.
⦁ Alkalising: Celery has an alkalising effect on the body, which means it helps balance the body's pH levels. This can be especially beneficial in a modern diet that often leans toward acidic foods. Maintaining a balanced pH can promote overall well-being by reducing the risk of various health issues associated with excessive acidity.
⦁ Digestive health: The fibre content in celery is a boon for digestive health and metabolic health conditions. Fibre aids in digestion and helps regulate bowel movements, potentially alleviating issues like constipation. In addition to its digestive benefits, celery's fibre content can be advantageous for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by promoting regular and comfortable digestion. Furthermore, a diet high in fibre, like that which includes celery, has been linked to a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly colon cancer.
Celery's remarkable nutritional content not only makes it an excellent addition to your diet but also underscores its versatile role in maintaining overall health. Whether you choose to munch on celery sticks as a healthy snack, incorporate it into salads, or enjoy it in the form of fresh celery juice, this unassuming vegetable can significantly contribute to your well-being.
Is Celery Juice Healthy?
Celery juice has gained immense popularity as a health elixir in recent years, with many touting its potential health benefits. Some of the perceived benefits of consuming celery juice include improved digestion, skin health, and reduced inflammation.
While celery is undoubtedly a nutritious vegetable, it is essential to consider celery juice as part of a balanced diet rather than a miracle solution for health issues. It should not replace other essential food groups in your diet.
Eating Whole Celery vs. Juicing
When it comes to celery consumption, you may be wondering whether it's better to eat it whole or juice it. Both options have their advantages and considerations:
Eating Whole Celery:
⦁ Provides fibre: Eating whole celery allows you to benefit from its dietary fibre, which is essential for digestive health.
⦁ Satiety: Chewing celery can promote a feeling of fullness, helping with portion control in your meals.
⦁ Nutrient retention: Whole celery retains more of its natural nutrients and antioxidants compared to juicing.
Juicing Celery:
⦁ Concentrated nutrients: Celery juice offers a concentrated source of nutrients, making it a convenient way to boost your intake of vitamins and minerals.
⦁ Easier digestion: Celery juice can be easier for some individuals to digest, making it a suitable choice for those with sensitive stomachs.
⦁ Hydration: Celery juice's high-water content contributes to your daily hydration needs.
⦁ Variety of nutrition: Celery juices often contain other healthy ingredients like leafy greens, lemon juice, apples, carrots, and more, making it an easy way to supercharge your nutrition in one go.
Ultimately, the choice between eating whole celery and juicing it depends on your preferences and dietary goals. You can incorporate both options into your diet to reap the full spectrum of benefits.
Using Celery Leaves in Juice
Celery leaves are often overlooked, but they are a valuable addition to your celery juice. The leaves contain an abundance of flavour and nutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Including celery leaves in your juice can enhance its taste and nutritional content.
Celery leaves may have a slightly bitter taste compared to the stalks, which can add complexity to your juice's flavour profile. If you find the bitterness overpowering, you can adjust the ratio of leaves to stalks to suit your taste preferences or add sweeter ingredients like apples and carrots to balance it out.
Washing Celery: Why It's Crucial
Washing celery, as with any fruit or vegetable, is essential for several reasons:
⦁ Pesticide residues: Conventionally grown celery is often subjected to pesticides to protect it from pests and diseases. While these chemicals may help improve crop yield, they can leave behind pesticide residues on the celery. Pesticide residues are a concern because they have the potential to harm human health. Pesticides may be toxic and, if consumed, can pose various health risks, from acute poisoning to long-term health effects. Washing celery thoroughly is an effective means of removing these potentially harmful substances. It reduces the risk of pesticide residues ending up on your plate and, subsequently, in your body.
⦁ Dirt and soil: Celery is unique in that it grows close to the ground, making it particularly susceptible to collecting dirt, soil, and other debris on its surface. Soil may contain contaminants, bacteria, and even pesticides used in the agricultural process. Proper washing is essential to remove these external contaminants. Not doing so can lead to an increased risk of ingesting soil-borne pathogens and unwanted residues.
⦁ Bacteria and contaminants: Just like any raw produce, celery can harbor harmful bacteria or contaminants that pose health risks when ingested. These contaminants may originate from the environment, handling, or transportation of the celery. Not washing your celery can leave behind these harmful elements, increasing the likelihood of foodborne illnesses and adverse health effects.
⦁ Foodborne illness prevention: Foodborne illnesses, often caused by bacteria such as E. coli, listeriosis and salmonella, can result from consuming contaminated produce. Properly washing celery plays a significant role in preventing foodborne illnesses. It helps eliminate or reduce the presence of bacteria and contaminants on the vegetable's surface, enhancing food safety.
By taking the time to wash your celery thoroughly, you decrease the risk of encountering pathogens that can lead to stomach discomfort, vomiting, diarrhoea, and more severe health issues.
It's crucial to note that even if you have organic or homegrown celery, washing remains a critical step. Organic produce, while grown without synthetic pesticides, can still contain natural residues or contaminants from soil, insect life, composts, and other sources. Homegrown celery, although seemingly under your control, come into contact with environmental pollutants or contaminants during its growth, making proper washing equally important.
Why Washing Celery Under Running Water Isn’t Enough
Many of us tend to give fresh produce a quick rinse under running water. And while that’s better than nothing, it falls short in effectively cleaning fresh produce like celery, fruit, and leafy greens.
Pesticide residues, dirt, and bacteria often cling to the surface and within the nooks and crannies of the vegetable and are invisible to the naked eye. A more thorough cleaning method, such as using a dedicated fruit and vegetable wash, is necessary to eliminate these contaminants, ensuring that the produce not only looks clean but is also safe to consume, safeguarding your health and well-being.
The Best Way to Clean Celery for Juicing? All-Natural Fruit and Vegetable Wash
To ensure that your celery and other produce are thoroughly and safely cleaned, an all-natural fruit and vegetable wash is your most valuable juicing product!
This plant-based and vegan wash is designed to eliminate chemicals, dirt, soil, wax, dust, and pesticides from the skin of fruits and vegetables, making them safe to eat and fresh. Its tasteless formula ensures that you get the best out of your produce, enhancing its natural flavour with no aftertaste.
The wash is 100% safe and non-toxic, making it suitable for use on all raw food items and when prepping food for cooking, including salads and salmon, as well as for cleaning knives, juicers, and chopping boards. With this wash, you can bid farewell to worries about harmful chemicals, dirt, and contaminants on your produce.
How Soon to Drink Your Celery Juice
Freshness is key when it comes to consuming celery juice. The moment you juice celery, it starts to lose some of its nutrients, so it's best to drink it immediately. Ideally, you should consume celery juice within 15-20 minutes of juicing to ensure you get the maximum benefit from its vitamins and minerals.
If you need to store your celery juice for a short time, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for no longer than 24 hours. However, keep in mind that the longer it sits, the more nutrients it may lose. For the best results, juice only what you plan to drink right away.
How to Store Celery for Juicing
Proper storage is a key factor in ensuring that your celery remains fresh and vibrant, ready for juicing whenever you desire. Here are some important tips to improve the shelf life of your celery and maintain its crispness:
⦁ Refrigeration: The refrigerator is the best place to store celery, as the cool temperature helps maintain its crispness and keeps it fresh. To keep it fresh for the longest time, place your celery in the vegetable crisper drawer, which provides a slightly more humid environment ideal for this leafy vegetable. If you don't have a designated crisper drawer, consider using an airtight container. This prevents moisture loss and external contaminants from affecting your celery's quality.
⦁ Moisture: Celery tends to wilt when it loses moisture. To prevent this, store your celery in a plastic bag, which retains moisture and helps maintain its crisp texture. Including a damp paper towel in the bag is an excellent practice. The paper towel acts as a humidity regulator, ensuring that the celery doesn't become too moist or too dry. This simple method can significantly extend its shelf life.
⦁ Trimming: If you notice your celery beginning to wilt or lose its crispness, don't stress. You can revive it by trimming the ends of the stalks. After trimming, place the celery in a glass of water, similar to how you'd keep fresh flowers. This can rehydrate the vegetable, and within a few hours, you'll notice a remarkable improvement in its crispness.
⦁ Keep the leaves: If your celery comes with leaves attached, don't discard them; these often-overlooked green parts are a hidden gem. Celery leaves are not only edible but also add a burst of flavour and extra nutrients to your juice. They can provide a mild, earthy note that complements the celery's natural freshness, making your juice even more enjoyable.
By following these storage tips, you can ensure that your celery remains in the best possible condition for juicing. Proper refrigeration, moisture control, and the clever use of celery leaves will help you maintain the quality and nutritional value of your celery, ensuring that each glass of juice you make is as fresh and delicious as possible.
Your Go-To Celery Juice Recipe
Now that you know the benefits of celery, how to wash celery for juicing, and how to store it, let's explore a delicious go-to celery juice recipe that you can prepare in the comfort of your own kitchen!
Ingredients:
⦁ 4-5 stalks of celery (with leaves, if available)
⦁ 1 medium cucumber
⦁ 1 green apple
⦁ 1 lemon (peeled)
⦁ Optional: a small piece of ginger for added flavour
Instructions:
⦁ Wash the celery thoroughly using an all-natural fruit and vegetable wash to remove any contaminants or residues. Rinse it with clean water.
⦁ Chop the celery into smaller pieces to fit your juicer.
⦁ Wash the cucumber and apple. You can leave the skin on for added nutrients.
⦁ Cut the cucumber and apple into manageable pieces, ensuring they fit into your juicer.
⦁ If using ginger, peel and chop a small piece for a hint of spice.
⦁ Juice all the ingredients, including the washed celery, in your juicer.
⦁ Once the juice is ready, give it a good stir to blend the flavours.
⦁ Serve the fresh celery juice immediately and enjoy!
Celery juice has become a staple in the world of healthy eating, and for good reason. Its numerous health benefits and refreshing taste make it an excellent addition to your daily routine. However, it's vital to wash celery thoroughly to remove contaminants, pesticides, and residues.
To ensure the safety and freshness of your celery and other produce, consider using an all-natural fruit and vegetable wash. This plant-based and vegan wash is designed to remove chemicals, dirt, soil, wax, dust, and pesticides, making your produce safe to eat while enhancing its natural flavour without any aftertaste.
Whether you choose to eat whole celery, juice it, or combine both options, celery can be a valuable part of your diet. With the right knowledge on how to wash celery and prepare it, you can enjoy the many benefits of celery in a tasty and healthy way. Try our best celery juice recipe for yourself, as well as Averdant’s Fruit and Vegetable Wash, and experience the delicious and nutritious world of celery juice for yourself.