Each morning your citrus juicer gets you a nutrient-packed drink you need to start the day.
But, you might be wondering what to do with the leftover citrus pulp.
The seemingly scrap pulp can be repurposed in different ways.
But, before we give you some useful tips on what to do with juicer pulp compost, let’s take a look at an innovative company which might have found a way to turn discarded pulp into a viable business.
From Trash to Cash
A project started by two ex-dormmates from the University of Southern California aims to recycle leftover citrus pulp or other organic pulp back into food. They founded the Pulp Pantry, with the idea that once discarded or composted pulp could find its way back into your breakfast, snacks, or burgers.
However, processing pomace isn’t easy. The wet and heavy pulp needs to be frozen and checked for safety. Then the right combination of ingredients, usually seeds and grains, needs to be added to the mix before the drying and grinding process.
But, after some trial and error, the company released its first vegetable chips in 2016. The first batch included greens, beets, and yellow roots, with three more flavors to come. Millennials are their target audience because of their supposed lack of proper nutrition and propensity for novelties.
Put it Back into Nature
If you are not sure what to do with juicer pulp compost, it would be wise to use it in your garden. From an environmental point of view, putting the pulp compost back into the ground completes the lifecycle of a vegetable or fruit.
This type of citrus pulp disposal replenishes the organic matter in the soil. The number of nutrients required for proper fruit or vegetable growth would be maintained at an optimal level. And the juices which seep into the soil have a positive effect on the chemical contents of the soil.
What’s more, you can also recycle coffee pulp. A 2016 study in Ethiopia showed that coffee pulp is beneficial for chickpea growth. The health, height, and freshness of the chickpeas were found to be better when the fields were treated with coffee pulp.
Other Organics You Can Compost
Growing organic fruit or vegetables is becoming increasingly popular. And if you are into home gardens and recycling, composting other leftovers should be an easy and cheap way to get an eco-friendly garden. We have made a list of some things, besides citrus juicer pulp, that you can use for composting.
1. Vegetables
It doesn’t matter what kind of vegetables you put in your compost. They can be moldy, cooked or even frozen. You should get a bin to store the leftover vegetables, so once it fills up you can take them to your garden.
2. Spices
There are probably old spices lying around in your kitchen. You bought them but never got to using them. All of the spices are biodegradable because they come from natural sources. So feel free to add them to your compost heap.
3. Popcorn
This may come as a surprise, but popcorn is also good for your compost. You can add them directly to the heap. But, you should note that if they are laced with butter or salt, they may attract insects and other pests.
4. Veggies with Freezer Burns
You shouldn’t think twice about adding moldy vegetables from your freezer to the compost heap. Freezer burns are just water molecules which came into contact with vegetables, so it’s perfectly safe.
Other Ways to Use Juicer Pulp
The citrus pulp from your juicer still contains a number of healthy ingredients you may want to use. The pulp can be added to other foods or used for cosmetics. Check out our tips on how you can use the juicer pulp:
- You can make a body and face scrub from the leftover pulp. The pulp is still rich in antioxidants and can be used as an exfoliator. The best types of pulp for use in a scrub are the ones from lemons, cucumber, potato, pineapple, and ginger.
- The leftover pulp can be added to your smoothies to increase its fiber content. Dietary fiber can help your digestion and boost nutrient absorption. Also, this is the reason why juicing might be better than blending.
- Some people like to sprinkle juicer pulp over their salad. The juicer pulp can add flavor and texture to your salad. And, let’s not forget those fibers. Beet or carrot pulp would be a very good addition to your salad.
- Lastly, you can use the juicer pulp as a thickener. The pulp works well with stews, sauces, and soups. It might be better than off-the-shelf thickeners.
To Wrap Up
Knowing what to do with juicer pulp compost may help you lead a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle. Proper management of the pulp takes just a little bit of planning and some effort, but the results may have numerous benefits.