Juicing my way to local, organic and healthy heaven
Dubai: I LOVE my healthy Philips AirFryer…chilli and curry coated chunky chips with a dollop of tomato chutney are a regular fixture in FooDiva’s abode. So when Philips’ latest kitchen appliance, the Avance juicer rocked up on my doorstep with a fruit hamper*, I couldn’t wait to start juicing…even though am not big on this craze, despite the Juice Master, aka Jason Vale’s transformed life and boundless enthusiasm. If am gonna be healthy, I much prefer eating my fruit and veg whole and raw, or when cooked, lightly steamed.
Local, organic beetroots and carrots from a Sharjah farm
But anyhow, the Avance looked so slick and sexy it deserved a few rounds of juicing. So armed with a few tips from Jason at Taste of Dubai, and many a veg from the farmers’ market outside the new Baker & Spice at Marina Promenade where local, organic produce is sourced from UAE farms, I’ve been juicing myself to healthy heaven the last couple of weeks and here’s FooDiva’s verdict…
- Assembly is pretty easy – you don’t even need to refer to the manual (and FooDiva’s a gadgetphobe).
- No need to cut up your fruit or veg – but do remove any stones or thick skins from citrus fruits. Throw them into the feeding tube as is, with pips and all.
- Two speeds for soft and hard fruit and veg.
- If like FooDiva you love cloudy juice with a layer of foam, remove the lid of the 2.5 litre jug with its integrated foam separator.
- A nifty little spout accessory can channel juice directly into a glass should you wish, rather than into the 2.5 litre jug.
- And now for the bit none of us like, and am pretty sure deters most of us from juicing – cleaning. I may be a diva, but I have no maid so this factor is crucial. The juicer has an upside-down sieve that has been electro-polished, which makes it easier to remove tricky fibres caught up in the mesh after juicing. The real difference from other juicers is two-fold: 1) the pulp container is positioned right under the sieve to collect all the pulp, making it easy to dispose and 2) all removable parts, sieve included, can be chucked into the top shelf of the dishwasher. What more could a diva ask for?
FooDiva's beetroot, carrot, apple & ginger juice combo
- The small recipe book comes in handy if you need a little juicing inspiration. Thanks to the farmers market, FooDiva’s fave combo is more veg than fruit (with summer beckoning, the UAE harvesting season is nearly over) – some very seasonal beetroots and carrots from a farm in Sharjah, with apples and ginger (sadly from the supermarket). Note, Golden Delicious apples are the best for extracting juice. For maximum vitamin and mineral benefit, drink the juice immediately. If you do have to refridgerate, squeeze in a few drops of lemon.
- A couple of quibbles: 1) Avance won’t juice starchy fruits like bananas, papayas, avocado, figs and mangoes – you need a food processor or blender for that. Thankfully my Braun Multiquick comes to the rescue. 2) Once you remove the jug after juicing, excess juice dribbles onto the kitchen counter – perhaps Philips should consider incorporating an anti-drip spout?
FooDiva’s making a conscious effort to juice now – more a weekend ritual. If you’re thinking of buying a juicer then do consider Philips’ Avance – it’s certainly a very competitively priced appliance – and it may just encourage you to eat more fruit and veg. As the Juice Master says, “if you can’t eat it, drink it.”
The Philips Avance juicer is available at all major hypermarkets in the UAE for AED 899.
Baker & Spice runs the farmers market at Marina Promenade on Saturday and at Souk Al Bahar on Friday (9am – 2pm) – get there quick before the summer heat engulfs us. Otherwise make sure to order the North African shakshouka breakfast in a pan – it’s just as heavenly at the new location.
So FooDiva Friends, are you into juicing? What’s your favourite fruit and veg combo?
A bientôt!
FooDiva. x
* As always, this review reflects my opinion alone – more here in FooDiva’s editorial policy.
Related posts:
Kenwood presents its latest squeeze; the Centrifugal Juicer. A review and a giveaway.
The new buzz, Bumble Box sows its local, organic seed in Dubai
Taste of Dubai, plus Giorgio Locatelli spills the beans
Are healthy fries possible? FooDiva tests Philips’ AirFryer
“If you can’t eat it, drink it” – cheers to the Juice Master
Hi
Great post, and as I am a bit of a juicing devotee I felt like I had to add by piece here (which is unusual for me as I normally read and just mutter to myself). But I have to say that by far and away the best juicer I have come across is the Hurom Slow Juicer. They only make one and boy is it good – there is no blades or high speeding wizzing bits for this one, just slow vertically augered mechanics that don’t damage the natural construction of the fruits or veggies meaning you get a much higher vitamin and mineral content in your juice. You can pick them up from AA Sons in the Al Rais Center on Mankool Road in Bur Dubai.
That being said, you’re spot on with the suggestions of the fuits and veg from the Dubai markets – they’re keeping me going as we quickly move into summer months – with my morning dose of carrot, apple, ginger and orange giving me a good perky start to the day.
Best
Neil
Thanks for sharing Neil, and good to know for next time. Interesting technology – have added the link here for anyone else reading this post. http://www.slowjuicer.com/ Would love Philips to comment 🙂
The beauty of all this local, organic veg is that it’s so, so cheap.
I’ve been looking around for a juice myself and that slow juicer looks fantastic. Great suggestions.
Thanks Irini. Do keep me posted on the juicer you buy and your verdict :).
Merci FoodDiva for yet another great post (can’t keep up with all your good recommendations)….but i have to say Neil’s option sounds fab (sorry Philips…).
Neil – Thanks for your comment. I’d love to get a Hurom Juicer for the kids.
Do you know how much AA Sons sells theirs for by any chance?
Just asking as Living Social is having a special deal today for one of those at 1299Dhs + 35dhs delivery.
Should i get mine there?
I’m also a bit cautious as Hurom’s website warns people about unauthorsized dealers….
Thanks
Camille
Hi Camille
I happened to pick mine up there for AED 800 when the Shopping Festival was on. However having recommended it to a friend who then went and purchased one (outside of DSF) they still gave it to her for the same price.
You’ll have to ask for them though, as when I was there they appeared to be hidden under all sorts of other junk and boxes (as expected in Dubai – why put something nicely on display when you can just as easily hide it !).
Hope its what you want …
Best
Neil
Thanks Neil for responding. I saw the Living Social deal too Camille – clearly not that good value. You’re best checking the price direct first. Let me know how you get on!
Yet again another very informative review – more importantly it should help people to eat in a more healthy manner. Well done
Thanks. I hope you are juicing away too!