Flawsome! is a wonderful brand of fruit drinks, all made from surplus wonky fruits that otherwise would have gone to waste. You can find these drinks in stores, buy direct from the website or from Social Supermarket (the company fulfils orders direct for each order). You can buy boxes of your favourite flavours or mixed boxes, all in easy-to-recycle packs.
All these juices are gently pasteurised, made from real fruit (not concentrate). Always choose pasteurised juice for pregnancy/children and weak immune systems. Check medication, before drinking rhubarb juice (and if you have diabetes). Brush teeth around an hour after drinking fruit juice, to allow saliva to neutralise acids.
The company was founded by a married couple, who used to help out at their respective grandmothers’ orchards, so had a real appreciation of fresh fruits. So when they visited a local farm and so all the fresh produce going to waste, it sparked a business idea.
Apples are one of the most wasted fruits in England. And this company offers still and sparkling apple juice drink, along with a range of apple-blend drinks like sweet and sour apple, apple-cherry and apple-strawberry.
Despite not being local, orange juice remains one of England’s favourite fruit juices. Flawsome! fruit juice is different in that it’s in cans (not Tetrapaks) and saves 3 oranges from landfill, for each serving consumed.
Oranges only came to England during the 17th century, eaten by those with access to orangeries (big greenhouses). Before that, Queen Eleanor (from Spain) would order oranges to dock at Portsmouth in 1289, as she was homesick for the fruits. Most oranges are from southern Europe (Pesticide Action Network say oranges are usually covered in a cocktail of pesticides before arriving on supermarket shelves). So choose organic if you can.
The range includes a selection of delicious fruit drinks in glass bottles or cans. Plus sparkling fruity waters and a range of still fruity waters in paper packs, with paper straws (ideal lunchbox treats).
Along with a few ‘health shots’ containing ginger, turmeric (with vegan vitamin D), plus ones for gut health (with prebiotics) and immunity (with vitamin C).
Organic Juice in Glass Bottles
Look in stores for Biona organic juices including tart cherry, orange and apple. They are also good to add a few drops in baked goods. Cherry juice is also good as a natural sleep aid.
Canned Organic Sparkling Apple Juice
Pip Organic Apple Fizz is the ideal local artisan alternative to the main brand of sparkling apple juice. Containing just organic apples and sparkling water in easy-to-recycle cans, you can find this brand in stores, or buy online packs, so you always have a chilled refreshing drink on hand.
This juice is made from real fruit (not concentrate), diluted with water. Made from fresh juice (never concentrate), one can counts as one of your ‘five a day’, and the drink is also rich in vitamin C.
You can store these cans in the cupboard. For best results, serve chilled. Invert the can slightly before opening to mix the contents, and drink on the day it’s opened.
Simple Recipes for Homemade Fruit Juice
This recipe for Glowing Skin Juice (Simple Vegan Recipes) only needs a few simple ingredients that you can find in any store.
All you do is wash and chop the ingredients (a beetroot, 2 carrots, 2 red apples, 1 cucumber and 1 celery stick). Then juice or blend with 2 oranges. Not only does this juice contain nutrients for healthy skin, but it’s also very hydrating, which obviously is also good for your skin.
It’s best to buy organic produce for best taste and results. If you don’t like the strong flavour of beetroot, you can sub with other red produce like berries.
This 5-minute homemade strawberry juice (Broke Bank Vegan) uses organic fresh or frozen strawberries (conventional ones are most likely sprayed in chemicals). Then it’s just a case of cutting up and juicing. If you can’t afford a £200 juicer, you could blend your juice then use a nut milk bag.
5-minute homemade peach juice can be subbed with frozen peaches, nectarines or apricots (wash skins under cold water before blending). Avoid peaches for sensitivity to birch tree & pollen).