Do I need to peel my orange before juicing?

This is an excellent question, and the answer mainly depends on the type of machine you're using. If you're using a dedicated citrus juicer, the answer is: you absolutely don't need to peel the oranges!

⇨ Why don't you need to peel oranges when using a citrus juicer?

1. It's designed for "processing with the peel on"

Professional citrus juicers, whether manual or electric, have a pointed, grooved juicing head. You simply cut the orange in half horizontally and place the cut side onto the head. The outer peel acts like a small bowl, holding the pulp tightly and allowing you to easily squeeze or rotate it.

2. The taste is purer and not bitter

The outermost layer of the orange peel contains many oil glands, which is where the strong essential oil scent comes from. If you peel the orange and then put it into a regular juicer, the white membrane between the peel and the pulp (the main source of bitterness) will be crushed. When using a citrus juicer, the pressure is from the inside out, only contacting the pulp and juice, preventing the bitter peel oil and white pith from being squeezed out. This results in a sweet, pure-tasting juice.

3. It's a real time-saver

Imagine if you had to peel every orange to make juice for your family – your fingernails would be full of orange peel residue, and it would be quite a chore. With a citrus juicer, you just cut it in half, press it on, and it's done in seconds.

⇨ When do you need to peel the oranges?

Although you don't need to peel oranges when using a dedicated citrus juicer, you will need to peel them in the following situations:
Using a masticating juicer or a high-speed blender: These machines process the entire fruit. If you throw the orange in with the peel on, the resulting juice will be practically undrinkable, bitter and astringent.
Manual squeezing with a clamp: While some small clamps can squeeze oranges with the peel on, if your oranges are particularly large or have thick peels, peeling them first will make it easier and allow you to extract more juice.