How To Make Homemade Tomato Juice

There is frequently a point in the summer tomato growing season when the harvest considerably outpaces one’s capacity to consume it in its ordinary tomato shape for those of us who garden and cultivate tomatoes. This article will help you make your tomato juice if you find yourself in this situation and enjoy it.

Interesting Details About Tomato Juice

Interesting Details About Tomato Juice

Tomato juice is one of the most popular drinks in the world. It is a fruit that has been cultivated for thousands of years. In India, it is known as “Vegemite”, and in China, it is called “Chai”.

In India, tomato juice has been used in cooking since ancient times. It was traditionally stored in earthen jars and consumed with bread. However, after World War II, the government imposed restrictions on its availability and consumption due to health risks such as high levels of lead content and carcinogenic properties.

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes

Our bodies are made up of a lot of different substances. Some of these substances are water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. These substances play an important role in our body’s functioning.

While there are many different types of tomatoes, they all have the same chemical composition – tomato juice is made up of water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. This makes it easier for us to absorb the nutrients from these specific types of tomatoes.

In terms of health benefits, homemade tomato juice is a great source of vitamins and minerals such as:

  • Potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin K, vitamin A, and B vitamins are all abundant in tomato juice.
  • Additionally, it’s a fantastic source of antioxidants like lycopene, which may lower inflammation and the risk of heart disease and several malignancies.
  • Make your tomato juice at home, or make sure to purchase 100% tomato juice without salt or sugar.

Choosing The Right Tomato

Choosing The Right Tomato

When making tomato juice, the type of tomato you use is important. The best tomatoes for making fresh tomato juice are ripe tomatoes, juicy tomatoes with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. 

Heirloom varieties such as Brandywine or Cherokee Purple are ideal for making tomato juice because they have a unique flavour that stands out in the finished product. Roma tomatoes are also a great choice.

Basic Ingredients Of Tomato Juice

The common ingredients in making tomato juice are:

  • 3 pounds of cored and roughly diced very ripe garden tomatoes
  • 1 1/4 cups of chopped, leafy celery
  • 1/3 cup finely minced onion
  • two teaspoons of sugar (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  •  a pinch of Black pepper

7 Quick Steps In Making Tomato Juice

Making homemade tomato juice is a great way to enjoy the freshness of tomatoes while also getting a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. 

Here are the steps for making your own delicious tomato juice:

  1. Select the Right Tomatoes: As mentioned above, the type of tomato you use is important for making tomato juice. Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. Heirloom varieties such as Brandywine or Cherokee Purple are ideal for making tomato juice because they have a unique flavour that stands out in the finished product. Roma tomatoes are also a great choice.
  2. Wash and Peel the Tomatoes: Before you begin making tomato juice, it is important to wash and peel the tomatoes. This will help remove any dirt or bacteria that may be present on the skin of the tomatoes. To peel the tomatoes, use a sharp knife to cut away the skin from each tomato.
  3. Cut the Tomatoes into Pieces: Once the tomatoes are peeled, cut them into small pieces. This will help to release more of the juice from the tomatoes and make it easier to blend them into a smooth juice.
  4. Boil the Tomatoes: Place the cut tomatoes in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the tomatoes are soft.
  5. Blend the Tomatoes: Once the tomatoes are boiled, transfer them to a blender and blend until smooth. If desired, you can add a pinch of salt or sugar to enhance the flavour of the tomato juice.
  6. Strain the Juice: Pour the blended tomato mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining pieces of skin or seeds from the juice.
  7. Enjoy: Once the tomato juice is strained, it is ready to be enjoyed! Serve chilled or over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Homemade Tomato Juice: How Long Does It Last?

Homemade tomato juice can last up to five days in the refrigerator if stored properly. To ensure that your homemade tomato juice stays fresh for as long as possible, store it in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated at all times. 

Additionally, you should always use clean utensils when handling the juice and avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods.

Benefits Of Homemade Tomato Juice Than Store-Bought

The tomato juice recipe may seem straightforward, but don’t be fooled. 

Here are three reasons why homemade tomato juice is healthier than store-bought varieties, even though it’s quick and simple to create.

  1. No harmful preservatives or additions. It’s likely that the tomato juice brands you purchase in cans from the grocery store have several additives and preservatives that are intended to significantly increase the product’s shelf life.
  2. Less sugar is present. A surprising amount of store-bought simple tomato juice products contain a lot of sugar. This recipe allows you to reduce the amount of sugar in your food, especially if you use low-carb sweeteners like Stevia.
  3. Sodium content is lower. Contrary to this homemade recipe, commercially available canning tomato juices are frequently produced with a lot of sodium.

Tomato Juice In A Blender

Steps in making tomato juice using a blender:

  • Prepare the food. Take some tomatoes that are really ripe to begin. 
  • Chop and core them. Also, mince the celery.
  • Blender with all components added. 
  • Then, add honey, Tabasco Red Sauce (this is optional and can be ignored if you don’t want your tomato juice to be too hot), salt, and black pepper to the blender along with the chopped tomatoes and celery. 
  • After blending until smooth, serve right away.

Canned Tomato Juice: How To Do It?

Canned tomato juice is a convenient and tasty way to enjoy the flavour of tomatoes without having to go through the process of making it from scratch. It’s also a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. 

Here’s how you can make canned tomato juice at home:

  1. Start by gathering all the ingredients you need, including fresh tomatoes, salt, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Wash the tomatoes thoroughly to remove any dirt or bacteria.
  3. Cut the tomatoes into quarters and place them in a large pot. Add enough water to cover the tomatoes, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  4. Reduce to medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes before transferring the mixture to a blender. Blend until the tomatoes are completely pureed.
  6. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any seeds and skins.
  7. Pour the strained juice into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top of each jar.
  8. Add salt, sugar, and lemon juice to taste.
  9. Seal the canning jar tightly and process them in a boiling water bath for about 20 minutes.
  10. Allow the jars to cool before storing them in a cool, dry place for up to one year.

Conclusion

Making hot or cold tomato juice is a simple and straightforward process that can be done in the comfort of your home. All you need is tomatoes, water, salt, and sugar (optional). Don’t waste any more time; get started making your homemade tomato juice now.

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FAQs

What is the difference between tomato juice and tomato sauce?

Tomato sauce is a cooked purée of unseasoned tomatoes. Juice isn’t cooked & it’s more watery than sauce.

Do I need to peel tomatoes for juice?

No, you do not need to peel tomatoes for juice. The skin of the tomato is edible and can be included in the juice. However, if you prefer a smoother texture or want to avoid bitter flavours from the skin, you can peel the tomatoes before juicing them.

Is it okay to drink tomato juice every day?

It is generally considered safe to drink tomato juice every day.

However, it’s important to remember that tomato juice can be high in sodium. If you’re watching your salt intake for health reasons, consider limiting your intake of tomato juice or