Why Store-Bought Watermelon Juice Never Tastes Like The Real Thing

There are many reasons why watermelon juice should be your go-to summer drink: It's sweet, refreshing, and delicious; super hydrating (containing, after all, around 92% water); and low in calories yet full of vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, antioxidants, and amino acids (including potassium, magnesium, lycopene, citrulline, and vitamins A, B6, and C). It's delightful on its own, or you can transform it into an agua fresca, a flavored lemonade, or cocktail like a watermelon mojito. In some ways, it's even better (or at least easier) than eating the fruit itself, especially since some stores carry pre-made watermelon juice these days. The problem though is that these store-bought watermelon juices never quite taste like the real thing.

That's because they typically include added sweetener (whether in the form of cane sugar, corn syrup, honey, agave, or another variety), or even other juices, fresh or from concentrate. Fresh watermelon juice doesn't stay good for very long — only around three or four days in the fridge, and it's best consumed within 24 hours of being juiced — so many store-bought watermelon juices also contain preservatives to extend their shelf life.

For the best-tasting watermelon juice, you should make it yourself. All you need is the fruit and a blender. Start with a ripe and juicy watermelon (make sure you pick the perfect one). Slice away the rind, then cut the flesh into small chunks to throw into the blender and blitz for around 30 seconds. After blending, you can strain the watermelon juice through a strainer or sieve to get rid of the pulp, or keep it as it for some extra fiber. However, keep in mind that watermelon doesn't actually have that much fiber, so you're not missing out on too much if you do decide to strain the juice.

Use the juice as is or mix it into a drink. To preserve your nectar, store the watermelon juice in an airtight container and store in the fridge within two hours. Consume within three or four days. To keep the juice for longer, you can also freeze it for up to a year. You can expect to get around 1½ pound of watermelon juice for every pound of watermelon you have. Though the heavier the melon, the juicier it should be. That's why you should pick the heaviest melon for its size if you plan on juicing it.