Test Kitchen: Cold-Pressed Melon Juices Using a PURE Juicer

The PURE Juicer is a two-step cold-press juicer: grinding and pressing raw produce makes fresh, flavorful juice.

Lately, however, we have been experimenting with using only the press of the PURE Juicer to discover its effects on different types of produce. When our Chief Juicing Officer Jen found a great deal on melons–cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew–she knew she needed to buy them all and bring them to our test kitchen.

The recipe for each juice is simple: Cut and wrap each melon (cloth or bag). Press melon and additional produce. Add garnish.

Press on!

Cantaloupe-Cucumber-Lime Juice with Jalapeño Garnish

Yield: 20 ounces
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

½ cantaloupe
1 cucumber
1 lime

We were curious to see what would happen if we pressed watermelon with the rinds on–watermelon rind is known to pack three times as many nutrients as watermelon meat–and found the juice to be especially delicious. While the press was definitely up to the task of pressing rind juice, the extra human effort and muscle it took to fold the rinds before pressing was not especially fun or efficient. From now on, we’ll be grinding rinds before pressing, and recommend you do the same. We plan to grind and juice cantaloupe rinds next! (Need tips on juicing rinds? Check out this video from Discount Juicers’ John Kohler.). Please note, beets and other roots need to be ground and pressed.

Watermelon-Beet-Lime Juice

Yield: 68 ounces (2 liters)
Prep Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

1 small watermelon
2 limes
1 medium to small beet (Use #10 or #8 grid)

Pro-Tip: watermelon rind and beets may have kick-back, so cover the feed chute when grinding (stage one).

Honeydew-Cucumber-Lime Juice

Yield: 28 ounces
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

½ Honeydew melon
½ cucumber
1 lime

We can’t wait to show you more produce that is delicious simply pressed. If you would like to see some of these right now, our Periodic Table of Juicing lists 99 different fruits and vegetables, along with our recommendations to either press or grind.

Health Benefits

beets: beets are nutrient-rich, containing folate and manganese along with fiber and dietary nitrates.

cantaloupe: hydrating and extra sweet, cantaloupe is a tasty addition to your ingredient list. You’ll find beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, fiber, and potassium among its many vitamins and minerals.

cucumber: cucumbers, especially their nutrient-dense skin, offer antioxidants including flavonoids and tannins. Made up of mostly water, cucumbers can help you meet your hydration goals.

honeydew melon: rich in nutrients, including folate, vitamin K, and magnesium.

jalapeño: good source of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6

lime: very high in vitamin C, limes also contain small amounts of iron, calcium, vitamin B6, thiamine, and potassium.

watermelon: high in vitamin C and A, watermelons also contain a natural substance called L-citrulline, found especially in the white part of the rind. Watermelons are hydrating and satisfying.

Sources:

The Health Benefits of Beets
7 Nutritious Benefits of Eating Cantaloupe
7 Health Benefits of Eating Cucumbers
Limes: A Citrus Fruit with Powerful Benefits
10 Surprising Benefits of Honeydew Melon
7 Surprising Health Benefits of Jalapeños
8 Health Benefits of Watermelon, According to a Nutritionist

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before changing your diet, especially if you have a health condition or take medication.