Juicearians, who
subsist for the most part on a diet of fresh juice, ascribe
near-magical powers to the just-squeezed liquids: They will
make you thin and impervious to the common cold. All we really
know is that fresh juice tastes a whole lot better than Tang.
1. The
Acme Supreme Juicerator
($339 at Williams Sonoma, Pioneer Place, 700 SW 5th
Ave., 225-0607)
The Supreme Juicerator uses
a floating cutter blade and 3,600 rpm centrifuge to extract
juice from damn near anything (although attempting to extract
blood from turnips voids the warranty). The unit has a bulbous,
vaguely retro-industrial look and is big enough to command
serious counter-top real estate. It will get every last
drinkable drop out of anything you throw in. Disposable
filter papers add to the operating cost.
2.
Omega Juicer Model 1000
($229 at Kitchen Kaboodle,
various locations)
Like a smaller R2-D2 but without the charming
personality, the Omega 1000 employs the same chop 'n' spin
technology as the Juicerator. A stainless-steel cutter and
high-speed centrifuge work together to reduce all
manner of fruits and vegetables to their fundamental parts:
desiccated fiber and juicy juice. Not quite as indestructible
as the Acme, but it's cheaper.
3.
Krups Optifruit
($69.95 at Kobos, various locations)
If you've decided not to forgo solid food entirely and
maybe just want an occasional glass of fresh juice, the
Optifruit may be the juicer for you. Like the high-end models,
it also uses centrifuge to separate pulp and juice, but
the efficient, German-engineered plastic construction keeps
the price down. Krups appliances enjoy a reputation for
low-maintenance, trouble-free operation, so the odds of
your Optifruit not spending a lot of time in the shop are
good.
4.
Orange-X brand manual juicer
($129.95 at Kitchen Kaboodle, various locations)
It is possible to make juice without using electricity.
The Orange-X juicer employs mechanical principles first
discovered by Archimedes to deliver your breakfast beverage.
Here's how it works: Powerful biceps (yours) activate the
long lever that in turn works
a gear-driven piston that actually squeezes the fruit. Your
choices are limited to oranges (natch) and other citrus
fruits, but how many of you really want to drink beet or
celery juice first thing in the morning anyway?
5.
Alessi's Juicy Salif
($85 at LUX Lighting, 1109 NW Glisan St., 299-6754)
Finally, for those to whom juice is something to be sparingly
blended with strong spirits, there's the Juicy Salif. Cast
in shiny aluminum with long, fin-like legs, it looks like
a miniature 1950s-era rocket ship. Intended primarily for
the smaller members of the citrus family, the Juicy Salif
couldn't be easier to use. Simply invert halved fruit over
the pointy end and push. Don't worry
if you can't master the operation. The breathtaking Italian
design makes the juice seem inconsequential.
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Willamette Week | originally
published May 19, 1999
|
