There’s nothing quite like homemade grape juice! We turned grapes from our backyard arbor into delicious homemade grape juice. Watch as I pick the grapes with my daughter, clean them, and steam them before carefully canning the fresh juice in beautiful glass jars. If you’re looking to preserve the flavor of fresh grapes for year-round enjoyment, using a steamer juicer is an efficient and easy method. Here’s how you can make your own grape juice in a few simple steps.
What You’ll Need:
- Fresh grapes (any variety, but Concord grapes are a popular choice)
- Steam Juicer (link to Amazon)
- A large pot for catching the juice
- Clean glass jars and lids for storing the juice
- Optional: sugar or sweeteners to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare Your Grapes Start by washing your grapes thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. If you like, you can also remove the stems, but this is not necessary, as the steamer juicer will extract the juice even if the grapes are left on their stems.
Step 2: Set Up the Steamer Juicer A steamer juicer typically has three main parts: the water reservoir at the bottom, the juice collector in the middle, and the fruit basket at the top.
- Fill the bottom section of the steamer with water, making sure not to overfill. About halfway is generally a good guideline.
- Place the juice collector (the middle section) on top of the water reservoir. This part will collect the juice as it steams.
- Add your cleaned grapes into the top section, making sure they are evenly distributed for consistent steaming.
Step 3: Start Steaming Once everything is set up, place the steamer juicer on the stovetop over medium-high heat. As the water begins to boil, steam will rise through the fruit, softening the grapes and releasing their juices into the middle section.
Step 4: Collect the Juice After about 30-60 minutes (depending on the amount of grapes and heat level), you’ll notice juice collecting in the middle compartment. Most steamer juicers have a tube or hose attached to this compartment for draining the juice. Place a clean, heat-proof container under the hose and open the valve to drain the juice into the container.
If you’d like to sweeten your juice, you can stir in sugar or another sweetener to taste at this point while the juice is still hot.
Step 5: Process and Store the Juice Pour the freshly steamed juice into sterilized glass jars while it’s still hot, leaving about half an inch of space at the top. Seal the jars with sterilized lids. If you plan on storing the juice for long-term use, it’s a good idea to process the jars in a water bath canner for about 10-15 minutes, ensuring a proper seal.
Step 6: Let the Juice Cool Allow the jars to cool at room temperature. As they cool, you may hear a popping sound, which indicates the jars are sealing properly. Once cooled, check the seals by pressing the center of the lid. If it doesn’t pop back, your jars are sealed and ready for storage.
Tips for the Best Grape Juice:
- Grape Varieties: Concord grapes are ideal for a strong, classic grape flavor, but any variety of grapes will work.
- Sweetness: The natural sweetness of the grapes will vary. Taste the juice before sweetening, as many varieties don’t need added sugar.
- Juice Concentration: If you’d like a more concentrated juice, you can add more grapes and steam them longer for a richer flavor.
Enjoying Your Homemade Grape Juice:
Your grape juice is now ready to enjoy! Serve it chilled, mix it into cocktails, or use it in recipes. Properly sealed jars of juice can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Making grape juice with a steamer juicer is a fantastic way to preserve the natural sweetness and flavor of grapes, and it’s easier than you think! Give it a try, and enjoy the refreshing taste of homemade grape juice.
