I have been in a bit of a juice rut lately, making the same ones over and over again. The bad news is that this boredom with my juice caused me to be less motivated to actually juice, and therefore I have been missing out on of the things that puts a spring in my step and makes me feel healthy. My typical juice consists of greens (romaine, spinach, kale, or parsley or a combo), celery, apple, carrot, ginger and/or fresh turmeric. Very good, but the same formula day in and day out was making me bored.
My friend and holistic nutritionist, Elissa Goodman, who is also a juicing queen, mentioned that she juices sweet potatoes. I honestly never considered juicing sweet potatoes. Roasting them and blending them into a smoothie is as close as I have come. But I was curious about how they would juice, so I went for it and was just pleased as punch. Sweet potatoes are JUICY!
It’s kind of like juicing a carrot, with a lovely mild sweetness. So I started playing around and created a new, very different juice, one more seasonal for fall. Sweet potatoes and apple go hand in hand, so I put those together. But I personally don’t care for overly sweet juices, so I added some celery to create some more liquid without sugar. And then I boosted the flavor some more with fresh ginger and a small nub of turmeric. The first time around I made the juice fairly spicy, which I loved, but the hubby thought was too gingery. The second time, it was total perfection.
The cinnamon is a really fun addition. You can add a pinch of ground cinnamon, but I don’t love the powderiness since it doesn’t dissolve. I had great results steeping a cinnamon stick in the juice. SO, so yummy.
I made a huge pitcher of this juice for a breakfast meeting and I served it over ice with a cinnamon stick in each glass. It was such a huge hit and I was so happy to share something so healthful. Everything in this juice is super anti-inflammatory, especially the sweet potatoes, ginger and turmeric. Sweet potatoes are also very rich in Vitamin C, E, B6 and Beta-carotene, which is amazing for your skin, eyes and hair.
I am going to keep playing with this base. I had a juice recently at Sage Organic Bistro in Culver City with grapefruit in it that was outstanding and I’m thinking it might work nicely here, too. I’m also considering making a huge batch for Thanksgiving and adding a drop of alcohol to make a fun cocktail.
I haven’t had a ton of experience working with different juicers, so I can’t make a good recommendation as to which to buy if you’re in the market for one. I have an Omega, which is very nice, but the feed tube is so small that it’s a little too much work cutting everything into small enough pieces. I have the Breville at our house in Park City and that is a breeze to use. There’s a lot of controversy about juicers that juice slowly versus fast and the vitamins being compromised, but as Kris Carr, the doyenne of juicing, says, “the best juicer is the one you’ll use.” Williams-Sonoma has a nice selection of juicers here if you’re thinking about buying one.
I’d love to hear what juicer you have and what you love or hate about it. I’d also be curious if you have a favorite fall juice. I’m motivated again!
Sweet Potato-Apple-Ginger Juice
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled (about 10-12 ounces) -- you don't have to peel the sweet potato, but the skin darkens the color of the juice
- 1 ” piece of fresh ginger or more if you like it spicy
- 4 ” piece of fresh turmeric, if you can find it
- 1 medium apple or Fuyu persimmon
- 2 stalks celery
- cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Juice all ingredients except cinnamon stick. Be sure to juice the ginger and turmeric early on so you can flush out those juices with something high water like the celery.
- Place the cinnamon stick in a glass and pour juice on top. Allow to steep for a few minutes or refrigerate the juice with the cinnamon stick until you want to consume it.
- Always store juice in the smallest container possible with little or no air at the top so that the juice stays fresher for longer. Store up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Separation will occur, so shake before serving.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
I tried this today, and it was so good! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it! Most people are afraid to juice sweet potatoes. 🙂
I started a ginger turmeric bug the other week for making homeade fizzy drinks and just came across this while seeking some inspiration. I’m out of sweet potatoes but blanched several pounds shredded in a half gallon the other day and kept a quart of the ‘tea’ that I was going to use with some fresh apple juice as the base. Thought I might brew a few herbs in or confier.
Will have to try your recipe another time wben I can. I love sweet potato!
A yummy dessert one is
Sweet potato
Pear
Blueberry
Dash of cinnamon
Mmmmm!
We use sweet potatoes with apple ginger and a few strawberries…..yummy. We have a Breville juicer. It fit our budget..Easy to clean. It uses too much spinach to juice so we use blender for spinach so we don’t waster any of it. We mainly juice things we can not eat without stomach upset. Beets are great too! And red cabbage tastes like beets when you juice it with apples and you get more for your money. The apple and cabbage keeps your tummy in check.
Love all your suggestions, thank you!
POTATOES have long been known for a very soothing effect on your stomach, anti-inflammatory, anti-constipation….
My grandfather could drink and eat nothing without massive stomach pain,
but a glass of juiced raw potato always worked wonders like an anti-acid tablet without the side effects.
You could/can buy pre-juiced raw potato juice…so why not juice freshly yourself?
The uncooked starch in potato would cause us huge belly pain and indigestion, but this is mostly left behind due to juicing.
Hence the sweet potato did not surprise me at all! 😉
You might want to try some potato juices…..
Thank you, Sonja. I had no idea!
My husband and I just started juicing and so far we are loving it. I’m definitely trying this recipe tonight. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! It’s surprising how good sweet potato is juiced!
Great recipe!I am new to juicing . I have been reading that you need to add pepper to turmeric to increase absorption by like 2000 %.
Worth a try!
I used one drop Doterra cinnamon essential oil in place of the cinnamon stick. It worked wonderfully, this was yummy!
This was yummy! I used one drop pure cinnamon essential oil in place of the cinnamon stick. Worked great, just make sure it is a pure form.
Great tip! Thanks, Nicole!
I had never thought of eating sweet potatoes raw until I saw this posting from Andrea @ dishingupthedirt.com (http://dishingupthedirt.com/sweet-potato/sweet-potato-noodles-almond-miso-sauce/). Juicing them? You blew my mind Pamela!, I’m going to have to try it, thankfully I have a plate full of sweet potatoes.
Thanks for your comment, Ana. You’re going to be pleasantly surprised. They’re amazing juiced!
This juice looks amazing! Im on day 11 of a juice feast and I needed some fresh recipes. Im going to try it I bet it tastes like dessert. I have 2 juicers both omega (i love omega) one is a fast juicer and the other is a masticating. I found the quality, taste, color of juice from the slow juicer is noticeably higher than the other one.