You really need to consider jicama for juicing. We can get bored by juicing the same fruits and veggies repeatedly. So why not try something new this time?
But, you might have some doubts about the taste and nutritional value of the juice. Let’s step in to find out if you can juice jicama and if it is drink-worthy.
You can juice jicama in the same way as you would other vegetables. They are rich in nutrition and have a mild taste like potatoes. Just peel the jicama, slice them and toss them inside a juicer/ blender and that’s it. Also, you can pair it with other fruits and veggies to jazz up the flavor.
Jicama is very popular in Mexico and southern America, thanks to its versatile nature. However, it is still an uncommon choice for juicing. This detailed guide is here to tell you about the benefits of juicing jicama and why it is worth the effort.
Table of Contents
Juicing Raw Jicama: Is It Drink Worthy?
Jicama is a root veggie also known as ‘Mexican turnip’ due to its close resemblance with turnips. Taste-wise, it is slightly sweet like a potato but with a lot fewer calories in comparison. It is a leading reason why health-conscious individuals prefer using it in salads, stews, soups, and even stir-fries.
Moreover, it also can be a new and unique ingredient for your juices. Yes! Jicama is a juiceable vegetable, and you can add them alongside other fruits and veggies to create a refreshing drink. It has a mild and starchy presence when raw, which makes it easy to blend with more flavors.
In addition, jicama consists of many essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and is low in calories and high in fibers. Thus, incorporating the vegetable into your juicing routine will provide you with a nutrient dose and, in turn, improve your overall health.
How Does Jicama Juice Taste Like?
Jicama is not something you would commonly witness in juices. So, if it is your first time juicing the vegetable, you might be curious about its taste and if it’s worth trying.
Many describe the jicama juice flavor as a combination of apple, potato, pear, and water chestnut. Overall, the flesh of this starchy veggie has a slightly sweet and nutty presence. Thus, it makes jicama a good base ingredient in many juices because you have ample room to play with the flavors.
Also, even beginners can try jicama juice if they search for a healthy yet flavorful ingredient. You can add any fruit and veggie of your choice or go for different herbs and spices if you prefer such flavors.
What Parts Of Raw Jicama Are Safe To Juice?
Only the flesh part of jicama is safe for consumption and juicing. Other parts of this root vegetable, including the skin, leaves, and seed, are considered unsafe. So, it is better to avoid them when you juice jicama.
Always peel the skin of jicama as it contains toxins that are harmful to your health. Similarly, the stems and seeds of the plant contain a naturally occurring compound called rotenone, which is poisonous. If you consume these parts unknowingly, there is a high risk of allergic reactions. Some people may experience severe vomiting, muscle tremors, increased heartbeat, and hypotension.
So, when you decide to juice jicama, wash and peel the vegetable well and discard all the unwanted parts. On the other hand, the flesh is totally edible and rich in nutrition and health benefits.
What Pairs Well With Raw Jicama Juice?
As mentioned earlier, jicama has a very subtle sweet flavor and pairs nicely with many fruits and veggies. A few of the best options you can consider are:
- Acidic fruits and juices like lime, lemons, and orange juices.
- Healthy vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, cilantro, etc.
- Seasonal fruits like Grapefruits, avocados, pineapples, and mangoes.
- Or strong flavorings such as ginger, mint, and many more.
How To Juice Jicama At Home; Find Here!
Is it your first time juicing jicama? Worry not, as we have compiled a beginner-friendly procedure that you can follow to prepare jicama juice within minutes.
- The first step is to choose the correct jicama variety for juicing. You need to know that smaller jicama is sweeter and crispier while the larger ones are softer and starch-rich.
- If you want to drink to taste sweet, we suggest going for a smaller variety. And, if you prefer a frothy and creamy juice texture, the larger jicama will be a better choice.
- Next, take a sharp knife and cut off the toxic roots emerging from the vegetable, the same as you would do with red onions.
- Now, rinse the jicama thoroughly to remove the dirt as the vegetable grow in the ground. Place them under running water, gently scrubbing the surface with fingers to get the veggie as clean as possible.
- It’s time to peel the skin, and you can do so with the help of a vegetable peeler, or a paring knife will also work fine.
- Slice the jicama small enough that it can easily fit inside your juicer or blender.
- Run the vegetable through the juicer, add other ingredients along, and at the end, you will get fresh homemade jicama juice.
- Drink the juice while it’s still fresh, as the nutrient value is at its peak. Or, you can also store it in the refrigerator for later use.
Healthy Jicama Juice Recipes For You To Try
A. Jicama sweet potato juice for weight loss
Ingredients
- A piece of jicama (peeled)
- A chunk of sweet potato
- One cucumber (optional)
Procedure
- Toss the ingredients inside a juicer and juice them.
- This natural juice recipe tastes almost like milk and has the same creamy consistency.
- This juice is perfect for you if you want a milk-like drink that is also great for skin and weight loss.
B. Jicama super green juice
Ingredients
- ½ jicama (peeled)
- Four cups of spinach
- Eight large stalks of kale
- Two pears (remove seeds and core)
- One large lemon (unpeeled)
- ½ a cucumber (with skin)
- One inch of ginger ( fresh and peeled)
Procedure
- Cut all the ingredients to a size that fits your juicer.
- Start juicing everything one after another.
- Serve in a clean glass. Enjoy!
Health Perks Of Juicing jicama
- Jicama juice is rich with antioxidants that protect the cells against free-radical damage. It also helps curb oxidative stress and decreases the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems.
- The juice consists of tons of dietary fiber, iron, potassium, copper, and nitrates. Together they improve heart health by reducing cholesterol levels, maintaining blood pressure, and improving blood circulation.
- The high amount of dietary fiber and water content in jicama juice leads to healthy bowel movements.
- The presence of fibers, antioxidants, and prebiotics are proven to prevent many types of cancer and increases the number of good gut bacteria.
- As a nutrient-dense and low-calorie vegetable, jicama juice is ideal for those seeking weight loss. Because drinking the juice not just gives a sense of fullness, it also provides all the vital nutrients the body needs.
Can You Drink Jicama Juice Every Day?
Although there is nothing harmful about drinking jicama juice every day, it is not advisable to do so. Anything consumed in excess can lead to certain health complications, and the same is the case with this root vegetable.
Most high-fibrous food, like jicama, often causes digestive issues, including bloating, cramps, and flatulence. Furthermore, eating the same vegetable would only give you certain nutrients. Maintaining a balanced diet means having different fruits and veggies to fulfill your body’s nutrient requirements. Thus, we suggest not to overdo jicama juice and try it once in a while.
Keep rotating the ingredients in your healthy juicing routines. This way, you will enjoy the experience plus avoid any health risks.