juice extraction

Juice extraction is a key step in fruit processing, preparing fruits for consumption. This involves preparing the fruit, often by removing unwanted parts like pits or peels, and then extracting the juice. For citrus fruits, juice extraction and separation from the peel are often combined.

Various methods are used for juice extraction, including reaming for citrus, disintegrating the entire fruit in a mill, or pressing. Traditional presses like the rack-and-frame press are still used, alongside variations such as continuous belt presses, bladder presses, and basket presses. An alternative to pressing is enzymatic liquefaction, where enzymes break down the fruit mash. After extraction, juices may undergo clarification and preservation processes.1