Golden Ginger Green Juice

What you will need

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 3 celery stalks
• 1 green apple
• 1 inch fresh ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup cold water

Make it yours

Method

1. 01

   Roughly chop cucumber, celery, apple, and ginger.

2. 02

   Blend with cold water, turmeric, and lemon juice until very smooth.

3. 03

   For a lighter texture, strain through a fine sieve; otherwise pour directly over ice.

4. 04

   Enjoy soon after blending for the brightest flavor.

What each ingredient adds

Celery and cucumber give this juice its clean, mild base and most of its volume. Green apple balances the bitterness of the celery, and lemon keeps the color bright. Fresh ginger brings heat, and a small pinch of turmeric adds the golden tone.

Straining removes some of the fiber, so a strained glass is lighter than the unstrained blend. If you want to keep the fiber, strain only half of it, or skip straining entirely.

Tips for a better juice

Peel the ginger with the edge of a spoon, which removes the skin without wasting the root. Start with half an inch if you are sensitive to spice, then add more next time.

Fresh juice starts to lose flavor and color within hours. Drink it the same day, and keep it cold in a sealed jar until then.

Blender versus juicer

This recipe is blended, which keeps the fiber from the cucumber, celery and apple in the glass. A juicer separates the liquid from the pulp, so juiced versions lose most of the fiber and have a thinner texture. Fiber slows how quickly the natural sugars in fruit are absorbed and helps the drink feel more filling. If you prefer a smoother texture, straining through a fine sieve removes some fiber but less than a juicer does.

The NHS counts fruit juice and smoothies as a maximum of one of your 5 A Day, however much you drink, and suggests no more than 150ml a day of juice and smoothies combined, because blending releases sugars that can harm teeth. A glass of this drink alongside a meal is a sensible way to enjoy it.

About ginger and turmeric

Fresh ginger gives this drink its warmth. Peeling is optional; a teaspoon edge scrapes the skin off easily if you prefer. Ground turmeric adds color and an earthy note. Turmeric and its compound curcumin are widely marketed for health, but the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that claims for most uses are not supported by strong evidence, and large supplemental doses can interact with some medicines. The small amount used here is a culinary quantity.

Storage and swaps

The drink is best fresh, as it separates and loses brightness within a few hours. Keep any leftovers sealed in the fridge and shake before drinking. Swap the apple for a pear for a softer sweetness, or add a handful of spinach for a greener color. If celery is not to your taste, use extra cucumber.