Bonnie Mulligan
If you run a health-conscious restaurant or a juice bar, you’re probably always on the hunt for ways to spice up your menu and appeal to your customers. While apples are still the number one fruit of choice for Americans — and U.S. apple juice consumption was equivalent to 1.6 gallons per person in 2015 — that doesn’t mean that this conventional juice choice should be your star offering. With so many fruits, veggies, aromatics, and herbs available to you, there’s no reason why your menu has to be ordinary. You can make it extraordinary by incorporating some of these fresh and exciting ingredients.
- Prickly Pear
The name might sound a bit intimidating, but trust us: your customers will love it. Not only is the flavor sweet like melon (some even liken it to bubblegum!), but the color is every bit as aesthetically pleasing. This fuchsia-pink juice makes a beautiful base or addition to any recipe. Just make sure to remove its outer skin prior to juicing. - Star Fruit
Often seen in the specialty section of your local produce aisle, this yellow-green fruit may strike you as exotic and special. It has notes of citrus and floral, which means it pairs beautifully with other produce you’re probably already using your commercial fruit juicers to prepare. Plus, its texture is extremely appealing and easy to juice. Its unique shape makes it an excellent choice for garnishes, too! - Pomegranate
This one will be a bit more challenging to juice, but it may be well worth the effort. If you think your customers will love the tart taste and antioxidant benefits, you may want to prepare your own pomegranate juice ahead of time and keep it stored in your cooler. Keep in mind that you will need to remove the seeds, strain them, and drain them prior to blending them (after which you’ll need to strain them again). It’s rather labor-intensive, but it can be a great ingredient in both smoothies and juices. - Turmeric
Both turmeric and ginger can add an earthy spiciness to your juices, but the former is something truly special. It may be a bit of an acquired taste. However, it has a host of health benefits that your customers may learn to love. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties and research suggests it could even be a good natural anti-depressant! Make sure to use the fresh root, rather than the ground powder, and add to green juices, citrus-heavy recipes, and other favorites. - Coconut Water
Non-dairy milk alternatives, like almond milk and coconut milk, have become popular in many smoothies. But coconut water can be a welcome addition to many of your juice recipes, as well. It adds an extremely subtle coconut flavor and is not cloyingly sweet, which will likely be a bonus for picky eaters and health nuts. But it also contains loads of potassium and can help replenish your electrolytes after exercising. It’s also very low in calories, which means customers can indulge without the guilt. Although you can’t stick coconuts in commercial fruit juicers, keeping this ingredient on-hand can provide a lot of interesting options for your menu.
If you’re armed with commercial fruit juicersand a creative spirit, the sky (or the tree) is the limit! Don’t be afraid to take a risk or two with your juice bar recipes. By utilizing the ingredients we’ve suggested above — along with some of your customers’ other favorites — we believe your establishment can make a real name for itself. Want to learn more about how our professional juicers can help you reach your goals? Contact us today!
