Buying tips for your first juicer

Homemade juice is a fast and delicious way to get some of your daily nutrients. An electric juicer can quickly and easily turn leafy greens, vegetables and fruit into smoothies packed with antioxidants and fibre. Plus, there's no better way to reap the benefits of the late summer and fall harvest.

Juicers come in three styles: centrifugal, masticating and blender-style. Choosing a particular model will depend on the kinds of produce you'll be juicing.

 A centrifugal juicer works by shredding ingredients with metal blades that spin at high speeds.

• This process tends to create heat, which some people believe can decrease the juice's nutrient value.
• Centrifugal juicers are less expensive than other styles, and they work best for extracting juice from pulp.

Otherwise known as a cold press juicer, this juicer chews up and slowly compresses fruits and vegetables, squeezing out the juice.

• This type of blender yields more juice than centrifugal juicers.
• Masticating juicers are a great choice for juicing leafy greens and vegetables.

A blender can also be used as a juicer. It liquefies ingredients, but doesn't separate contents. The end result is a thicker, pulpier beverage.

Before buying a juicer, it's helpful to consider a few key factors to help determine which juicer will work best for you.

• Speed control: Consider a juicer with more than one speed if you plan on juicing different kinds of fruit and vegetables. Items like carrots, for example, will juice better at a different speed than leafy greens.
• Feeding tube size: With a large feeding tube, you can fit more into the juicer without having to spend time cutting and chopping ingredients.
• Pulp ejection: Certain juicers have a separate removable container for the pulp, making it easier to clean.
• Extra settings: Some models come with extra settings and features to make nut milk, sorbets and ice cream.
• To-go cups: Some juicers come with their own go cups, so you can juice directly into a cup that you can take wherever you go.

• The healthiest juices use almost the whole fruit.
• Blender and masticating juicers are more effective on leafy greens, sprouts or herbs.
• Juicers with multiple speed options offer versatility in choosing ingredients for your juice.
• Wash fruits and vegetables prior to juicing.
• Clean your juicer immediately after use.

Buying a juicer comes down to considering the types of fruits and veggies you want to juice.

• For speed, convenience and pulp-free fruit juice, consider a centrifugal model.
• If you want to make super-healthy beverages using leafy greens, herbs and vegetables, masticating juicers are a great choice.
• Choose a blender if you enjoy thick, pulpy smoothies made with a variety of different ingredients.

With the right juicer, it's easy to get started enjoying juices made from your favourite combinations of fresh fruits and veggies.