Can You Juice Kale?

can you juice kale - glass of kale juice and kale leaves in second glass

Can you juice kale? Yes, you can juice kale. Many people make juice from kale and they love it. Kale juice is very good for you though it is not the tastiest of juices to drink. But you can add other fruits and vegetables to get a nicer tasting juice. Kale juice is a green juice and has a very strong taste. Try mixing in some celery or carrots to sweeten the taste. Kale juice is beneficial for all the nutritional value you get from it.

Kale is full of nutritional properties. Kale contains iron, vitamins like a, b and k. Raw kale has  80 mg of vitamin C per cup. Kale juice is very rich in iron and omega 3 fatty acids. It also has lutein which helps protect your eyes.

Kale is hard to eat because of its texture and you have to chew it well. But by juicing kale you avoid having to chew on it. You also keep more of the nutrients and enzymes because you are not cooking it. Cooking kale causes it to lose much of its goodness. The green juice you extract will have all the antioxidants and nutrients with all the fiber removed.

What Type Of Kale Can You Juice?

There are many varieties of kale to choose from that you can juice. You will find that kale leaves come in many different colors. For example, there are varieties of reddish purply leaves through to green, bluesy green, or black and green. Kale is a member of the cabbage and broccoli family, belonging to a group known as cruciferous vegetables.

But kale leaves are very much like spinach. The difference between spinach and kale leaves is that kale leaves are bigger and longer in appearance. They have edges that are curly and more deep veins than spinach.
 
Curly kale is the most common type you will find. Curly kale has wavy edges on the leaves. It has a mild and sweet taste and is great for juicing. Start with six or seven leaves and remember you do not get a lot of juice from kale. But the juice you do make is very nutritious and powerful.
 
If you are able to get baby kale, which is the leaves from young kale plants then you can make a lovely sweet and mild juice from them.

Which kale is best for juicing?

There are three main types of kale. They are curly kale, lacinato kale (often found in the grocery store as “dinosaur kale”), and red Russian kale. Curly kale is the most widely available, but it lacks the nutrients of the other varieties. Lacinato kale has a smoother texture and a sweeter, less bitter flavor.

While there are over 10 types of kale, only three types are juicing-friendly. These three differ in taste, color, and texture. Purple kale is the most common type of kale that you can juice. In fact, it is one of the most commonly used kale varieties for juicing.

The darker the kale, the more nutrients it contains, so you want to choose kale with a dark, deep green color. You might think it’s just a matter of picking up whatever looks fresh and popping it into your juicer. But the right type of kale can make all the difference. Kale can be bitter, so it’s important when juicing to choose a variety that’s sweet and palatable.
 
When buying kale, look for greener leaves. The leaves should not have any discoloration or brown spots on them. Kale can sit in a plastic bag in the fridge for a week without any issues as long as you remove any leaves that are brown or wilted. If you’re looking for a sweeter-tasting juice, try using red kale. But, if you’re okay with less sweet juice, you can juice any of the kale varieties.

How To Prepare Kale For Juicing?

One of the most popular leafy green vegetables, kale is also one of the most versatile. There are tons of ways to prepare kale. From sautéing it to juicing it, and it’s a great way to add nutrients and fiber to any diet. But, kale is a tough vegetable to prepare for juicing due to its thick leaves and woody stems.
 
So, how do you prepare kale for juicing? The first step is to remove its thick stem. The stem can be bitter and may prevent you from enjoying the other benefits of juicing kale. If you’re a beginner juicer, the easiest way to do this is to hold the stem in one hand and slice it off with a sharp knife.
 
Check for any brown spots on the kale leaves and remove them first. Next, you should wash the leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or grid hiding in there.

Should You Boil Kale Before Juicing?

As anyone who has ever juiced knows, kale is a tough vegetable to juice. Its hardy texture means that it takes more time and effort to blend. So, to make it easier to juice, many juicers heat their kale before they start juicing. Is this a good idea? Yes, but only to a certain extent. Boiling kale actually breaks down the cell walls and makes it easier to get the juice out of the leaves. Boiling kale also makes it easier to digest. But, it also causes the loss of many of the nutrients you’re trying to get out of kale, as they leach into the water.

Where to Get Kale For Juicing?

If you are lucky enough you could grow your own organic kale. This would be the best way to get it. But, few of us are in a position to grow our own. Maybe you have a local farmers market in your area where you could buy some fresh kale. If you are shopping for kale in a supermarket make sure the kale you get is fresh. Kale is better when you store it chilled. Because it degrades if stored at room temperature.
 
Have a look at the leaves and stems. Leaves and stems on fresh kale should be firm and hard. So if it is soft or has browny yellow leaves it is not fresh and is beginning to go off, so avoid that.

Can you Juice Kale Stems?

Juicing kale is a delicious way to get a ton of nutrients into your diet. But can you juice kale stems? Many people think you can’t juice kale stems because the stems are so tough and woody. But the truth is that you can juice kale stems. You just need to juice them along with the leaves and a few other ingredients to make them soft enough to drink.
 
Kale stems don’t have the same nutritional benefits as the leaves. Yet they are still high in fiber and water and can be very beneficial to your health. Kale is one of the most nutritious vegetables on the planet. But does juicing kale stems have any health benefits if you use the kale stems? Kale is actually a cruciferous vegetable, and it is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Why waste the kale stems? Juicing kale stems may be a good idea if you are on a juicing diet.

How To Store Kale Before Juicing?

When storing kale, you want to keep it cold and dry to prevent it from getting moldy. You can store kale in airtight containers. You can chop it up, wash and dry it, then place it in a well-sealed container. Kale should keep for a couple of days if you store it like this. If you buy more kale than you can use in a week, you could also store your freshly prepared kale in the fridge. Use a freezer bag to keep your kale in the fridge.

How To Juice Kale.

To make juice using kale push it into your juicer using small portions at a time. Use the plunger tool provided to do this. You can juice kale in a raw state or boil it first if you wish. I think it is better to juice kale raw though.
 
When juicing kale, it’s important to choose leaves that are firm and free of blemishes. Kale that sprouts or is wilting cannot be juiced properly. It’s hard for most juicers to separate the kale from the foam at the bottom of the bowl. The best way to prepare kale for juicing is to remove the leafy part from the stems. And then roll the kale leaf between your hands to loosen the fibers to help release the juice.
 
Next, put your kale in your juicer and go!

What Juicer Is Best To juice Kale?

The best type of juicer for juicing kale is a masticating juicer. A masticating or slow juicer will provide the most juice from your kale. A cold press juicer will grind and crush the kale to produce the juice. Whereas a centrifugal juicer will just spin it around. Because the masticating juicer operates at a slower speed it does not produce much heat. This gives you a better quality juice.

Conclusion

So, can you juice kale? Yes, you can juice kale and you should make it part of your routine. Kale juice is very good for you and you can mix in other fruits and vegetables to get a taste you like. You can also juice kale stems. Though you will get less healthy green juice than from the leaves. Because kale stems are denser and have more fiber in them. Use a masticating juicer for making your kale juice. Use fresh organic kale for the best greens juice.