When it comes to juicing, the possibilities are endless— well, almost. Some ingredients go better together than others, and anyone on a juicing quest has occasionally run into not-so-good results. There are many recipes available online and through other resources, but if you're a more adventurous type, you may want to experiment and come up with a recipe on your own. Here's how.

Consider flavor balance

Generally, you can juice veggies (and fruits) together that would work in a salad together, but it isn't always that simple. You don't want to overwhelm your juice with too many similar-type flavors, nor do you want to leave out a balancing flavor that could both enrich the taste and add more nutrients.

Sweet fruits like apples counterbalance earthy root vegetables very well. Tart fruits like lemons make a nice counterpoint to strong greens like kale, but don't overdo it unless you like tart flavors! Both apple and lemon juice work wonders at improving the flavor of wheatgrass juice, even the consistently-voted best-tasting wheatgrass from Got Sprouts?.

Also consider adding a little spice, like ginger or red pepper. Be very careful with your portions and start small— you can always add more!

Water content

Some fruits and veggies contain a lot more water than others, and so produce more when juiced. You'll want to add at least one high-water-content ingredient to your recipe, without taking your flavor in the wrong direction. Cucumbers produce a lot of juice and have a slightly sweet and cool taste. Celery is very high in water and has a more neutral-ish flavor. If you already want to use apples, they are very juicy as well!

Taste as you go

When inventing a recipe, taste the juice whenever you add something that you think could significantly change the flavor. Experiment with ingredients and add them one at a time— if you feel the need to proceed carefully. If you're more adventurous, there's nothing stopping you from guessing. Just keep flavor balancing in mind before you commit.

Write it all down

As you work, be sure to take notes about your budding recipe as it comes together. Keep track of what ingredients you use, their quantities, and what order you added them. If you add another carrot, write it down. If you have a taste and wish you hadn't added so much kale, write that down too. Take note of why you added certain things. It will help you to go back and refine next time.

Conclusion

Once you get the hang of flavor and quantity balancing, you can start experimenting more. Exercise your creativity and don't be afraid. You could discover a delicious and healthy combination you would never have dreamed of!