Cold-Pressed Juice vs. Store-Bought Juice: Is It Really Better?

Is fresh always better? When it comes to juice, the debate between cold-pressed and store-bought has more layers than you might think. From production methods to what it contains, the differences aren’t just about taste; they could affect your health in unexpected ways.

Regular juices are convenient and cheap. But cold-pressed juices offer something that may be just worth the little extra effort and money. 

So, let’s dive into what exactly makes cold-pressed juice, especially those made at home with a cold press juicer, better than store-bought cartons.

What Is Cold-Pressed Juice? 

Cold-pressed juice is made by a cold-press juicer that uses a spinning auger or hydraulic pressure to extract liquid from fruits and vegetables. Unlike centrifugal juice extractors, which use fast-spinning blades that generate heat, this slower production process gently squeezes ingredients to preserve beneficial enzymes and reduce nutrient degradation.

Cold-pressed juice can be made at home with slow or masticating juicers. It can also be made with hydraulic press juicers, but they are more common for commercial juice bars. 

Cold-Pressed Juice vs. Store-Bought Juice: Comparison

Cold-pressed juice differs from store-bought fruit juices in several ways. While both start with fruits and vegetables, their production process, nutrient content, and juice shelf life vary greatly.

Let’s dive deeper into each aspect: 

1. Production Method

Fresh cold-pressed juice is made using an auger or hydraulic press. This method applies pressure to extract liquid without generating heat or causing oxidation. As a result, it preserves beneficial enzymes and minimizes nutrient degradation.

Store-bought juices other than those labeled cold-pressed are produced on a massive scale with industrial juice extractors. These juicers often use fast-spinning blades, similar to centrifugal juicers, followed by heat pasteurization to kill bacteria and extend shelf life. This heat can reduce antioxidant capacity and alter flavor.

Commercially produced juices may also contain sweeteners, artificial flavors, preservatives, and even colors. 

To maintain a consistent taste year-round, many juices, especially those labeled "from concentrate," undergo a process where water is removed and later added back. Often, flavor packs made from the fruits’ byproducts are added to restore aroma and taste lost during processing. The juice is then packaged, sealed, and prepared for distribution.

Unlike homemade cold-pressed juice, store-bought juice undergoes many different steps that either remove something or add something, which can impact the nutritional value. 

2. Nutritional Content

The biggest difference between cold-pressed juice and regular store-bought juice is the nutritional content and value. Because the cold pressing process doesn’t generate heat and oxidation, it preserves most of the nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds.

In comparison, store-bought juices undergo heating (for pasteurization), even those labeled cold-pressed, which can destroy essential nutrients like vitamin C and beneficial enzymes that aid digestion and nutrient absorption.

Store-bought bottled juices may not provide all the essential nutrients, at least not in a concentrated form. However, freshly pressed cold-pressed juices made at home are more nutritionally dense because they retain most of the original micronutrients.

Research from Thailand found that fresh fruit juices had lower sodium levels but higher potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium than commercial juices, likely due to differences in the production process. Lower sodium is generally beneficial for most people, especially those managing blood pressure or heart health.

For me, the purpose of drinking juice is to get nutrients from multiple ingredients in one glass. I want it to have the highest nutrition possible. That’s why I prefer slow juicing at home. It gives me freshly pressed juice with minimal nutrient degradation, unlike most store-bought options. 

If you’re curious about why I made the switch, see the full benefits of cold-pressed juices here.

3. Taste and Freshness

Cold-pressed juices are preferred for their fresh taste. Whether you’re making them at home or getting one of those freshly made ones at a juice bar, you’ll notice the difference in vibrancy, flavor, and freshness. It’s simply better. 

On the other hand, store-bought juices have a slightly different taste and lack freshness because of pasteurization and long storage conditions. Heat treatment removes some of the nutrients, and enzymatic changes alter its flavor. Therefore, I’ll always choose a fresh glass over store-bought.

4. Shelf Life

Fresh cold-pressed juice doesn’t have a long shelf life. It can last for up to 72 hours, depending on the ingredients, provided it’s stored correctly and refrigerated. The taste and nutrient content can alter over time if not stored in an airtight container. It’s best to drink it the same day or freeze it for later use. 

Store-bought juices have a long shelf life, typically up to 6 months (when sealed). Once opened, they must be refrigerated and consumed within three days, just like cold-pressed juice. Without refrigeration, taste and texture change quickly.

5. Convenience 

Store-bought fruit juices are convenient because they’re ready to drink. You don’t have to prepare fruit and vegetables or handle the juice extraction yourself. They also have a long shelf life, so you can buy them in advance and store them in your pantry.

Cold-pressed juicing requires preparing and washing ingredients and running them through a juicer, which takes more time than opening a bottle. 

However, modern slow juicers make juicing quick and easy. For instance, some wide-mouth juicers, like those from Hurom, allow you to insert whole apples and oranges, which reduces the prep time a lot. Also, many slow juicers are quite easy to clean. 

Yes, it still requires some time and effort compared to the ease of store-bought juice, but the health benefits outweigh the extra effort.

6. Price

Store-bought fruit juices are generally more affordable because they’re produced at scale. Cold-pressed juices sold in grocery stores or juice bars are usually more expensive, as they’re made in smaller batches using a slower production process.

Making cold-pressed juice at home can be cheaper in the long run, especially if you buy fresh fruit and vegetables in bulk. However, it does require an initial investment in a quality cold press juicer, but over time, the savings and health benefits can outweigh the cost.

Cold-Pressed Juice vs. Regular Juice: Which Has More Calories?

When it comes to calories in juices, fresh cold-pressed juices have lower calories than store-bought ones because the latter may contain added sugars or artificial flavors. 

If you’re juicing for weight loss, cold-pressed juices that lean more on veggies are a much better choice than regular juices.

Even store-bought juices labeled “no added sugar” can contain artificial sweeteners that aren’t found in fresh juice. 

Both natural and added sugars in juices can lead to a higher glycemic index, which means they can cause a fast spike in your insulin levels. One way to reduce it is to drink cold-pressed juice with pulp, as the fiber in pulp can slow insulin response and help maintain stable blood sugar levels.

What About Cold-Pressed Juice from Commercial Brands and Juice Bars?

You can find commercially prepared cold-pressed juices from different brands in grocery stores. Also, there are many juice bars that make cold-pressed drinks in batches. Those are definitely better than regular juices that are pasteurized and have additives. They’re generally fresher and retain more nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, compared to pasteurized juices with additives.

However, they can be quite expensive, depending on the brand and location (like three or four times the price of store-bought juice). 

In my opinion, juicing at home with a slow juicer is both cheaper and healthier in the long run.  You can occasionally enjoy a cold-pressed juice or even a store-bought one from the market. However, fresh juicing at home gives you the best nutrition and flavor, and it always tastes great.

So, Is Homemade Juice Better Than Store-Bought?

Yes, homemade cold-pressed juice is much better than store-bought juices. It’s fresh, full of nutrition, and tastes better. Whether you drink juice for flavor or for health benefits, fresh juice extraction outperforms packaged, pasteurized options.

But to take full advantage of juicing, you need a quality slow juicer, one that maximizes yield, nutrient and flavor retention, and the health benefits of fresh ingredients. 

Hurom juicers offer all this, with models for families, individuals, and even those who move frequently. And here’s the real kicker: many of them, like the H400 and H70, are super quick, easy to use, and clean. It won’t take you more than five minutes to make a fresh and tasty glass of juice. 

Ready to invest in your health? Check out all Hurom Slow Juicers!

FAQs

Are there any disadvantages of cold-pressed juice?

Cold-pressed juices are packed with nutrients, though they contain less fiber than whole fruits and vegetables. Pairing them with fiber-rich meals keeps your diet balanced. Also, they can cost more than regular juices, but making them at home with a cold press juicer is a cost-effective way to enjoy them daily.

Can cold-pressed juice lose nutrients over time?

Cold-pressed juice stays nutrient-rich for several days when stored properly. Over time, some vitamin C and antioxidants naturally decline due to oxidation, especially with air, light, or heat exposure. Refrigeration in an airtight container helps preserve nutrients, so you can still enjoy excellent quality for up to 72 hours.

What juicer do I need to make cold-pressed juice?

You need a masticating juicer to make cold-pressed juice. This juicer uses a slow, crushing action to extract juice without heat, which helps preserve nutrients and flavor.

Is it ok to drink store-bought juice every day?

It’s not ideal to drink store-bought juice every day because it often contains high sugar levels and lacks fiber. Regular daily intake can contribute to weight gain and blood sugar spikes. It’s best to drink it in moderation or, better yet, switch to fresh, homemade juices. 

Is cold-pressed juice better than regular juice?

Yes, cold-pressed juice is better than regular juice because it retains more vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. The cold extraction process avoids heat, which helps preserve nutrient quality and fresh flavor.

Is juicing healthier than store-bought juice?

Juicing yourself can be healthier than store-bought juice when consumed fresh because it avoids added sugars and preservatives. Fresh juice also offers higher antioxidant content and better nutrient retention.

Is it healthy to drink store-bought juice?

Store-bought juice can only be healthy in moderation if it is 100% juice without added sugars. However, high natural sugar content and lack of fiber make it less beneficial than whole fruit. So make sure you’re also eating whole fruits and veggies in your diet or getting fiber from other sources.