The key to producing a really tasty juice is to choose fruit with a good balance of sugar, acidity and flavour, although the degree of sweetness is a matter of personal preference.

Single Variety Juice

Some apples that are excellent when juiced on their own. Keith Goverd, a juicing consultant who used to work at the Long Ashton Apple Research Centre and has many years' experience of making his own juice for sale, makes over 30 different single varieties of juice. Amongst his favourites are:

• Annie Elizabeth
• Falstaff
• Ashmeads Kernal
• James Grieve
• Charles Ross
• Newton Wonder
• Cornish Gilliflower
• Severn Bank
• Discovery
• Tom Putt

Our first juice of the season, produced under the Bollhayes Juice label was Discovery; the fruit’s rosy skin and red hued flesh produced a delicate pink juice of a fresh bright flavour. To maintain its fine colour we added Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the ratio of 0.5g per 1 litre of juice. You can also try pasteurising cider juice – Tom Putt, Browns Apple and Kingston Black are among the favourites. This juice is always a great hit with our more senior local lady friends who bring their jugs to collect the rich brown juice on pressing day but wouldn’t dream of drinking the fermented cider!

Another interesting variety that we recently heard of and have planted in our orchard is the Bardsey apple. An old tree, discovered in 1998, which appears to be resistant to most diseases, has be propagated and is now being sold. It is reputed to be excellent for cider, cooking and juicing, producing an "excellent pinky-straw coloured juice". We look forward to trying the juice one day!

Fruit Presses

Apple juice makes a fine and economical base for the addition of other flavoursome fruits of less abundant quantity. At Vigo Presses we have a fantastic range of fruit presses that will assist you in making delicious apple juice. Our favourites are the 12 Litre Hobby Fruit Press, the 12 Litre Cross Beam Fruit Press, and the Vares 50 Litre Hydraulic Press. You can try pressing or steaming any of the following fruits to make delicious additions to your apple juice range.

• Raspberries
• Blackcurrants
• Blackberries
• Redcurrants
• Strawberries
• Blueberries

A Perfect Blend

The juice we love making is the sumptuous blend of Kingston Black cider apples, Bramleys, and quince. It it is a rich golden brown colour with an amazing flavour. We don't add ascorbic acid but enjoy the flavour and colour of this naturally rich and delicious golden brown blend.

Cider Apple Juice

You can also try pasteurising juice from cider apples – Tom Putt, Browns Apple and Kingston Black are among the favourites. These juices are always a great hit with our more senior local lady-friends who were raised on local farms that made their own cider as they are sweet and have tons of flavour. These neighbours bring their jugs to collect the rich brown “cider juice” on pressing day but wouldn’t dream of drinking the fermented cider!