Originally, citrus fruits came from Asia mainly Southeast Asia, India and China. They were already known for their medicinal value back then as well as their taste and smell. During that time, people squeezed the juice from these fruits with their bare hands. Eventually, citrus juicers made that easier.
Over the years, more and more citrus fruits exist. This happened mainly because it has been so easy to make hybrids. Raising hybrid citrus plants actually made them adapt to other climate. However, they do not grow in extremely cold temperatures.
At the moment, more than five times the number of original citrus species exists. The yellow lemon, as everyone knows it, is actually a hybrid.
Squeezers, pressers, reamers
Lemon squeezers were patented and used way back in the 1800s. Many people did take scurvy seriously after a study made in the 1700s. Many people, sailors in particular, died because of scurvy. Crusaders, as far back as the 1400s were also found to suffer from scurvy.
The 18th century showed the role vitamin C plays in this disease. That is why British sailors during this period had their ration of lime. Thus, the nickname Limey existed.
Close to a century after the first squeezers were made, pressers and reamers were invented early in the 20th century. In 1910, Leslie Hackney made a juicer with a corrugated center still found in many manual citrus juicers today.
Reamers today can be manual or electric. Much like the original invention, however, half of the citrus fruit is still pressed on the ream and twisted. Electric reamers make it a bit easier. There is no need to twist because the ream spins.
These are citrus juicers designed to extract juice from citrus fruits alone. The ream is still used up to now because it is really designed taking the shape of the citrus fruit in consideration.
Multi-purpose juicers
All the other fruits and vegetables juicers can also be used to extract citrus juice. With that said, using these juicers will need the fruit peeled. Many claim that peeling and including the pith in juicing makes the juice richer in nutritional contents.
The pith contains bio flavonoids and these do contain more anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are elements that can prevent and control some diseases.
A good juicer would be one that fits ones juicing needs. If one also drinks other fruit and vegetable juices, the multi-purpose juicers would be the best choice. For people who do not juice so often and are not bothered with a bit more work, manual citrus juicers will suffice.