Today I’m taking a nostalgic dive into the late 1990s with a review of the Citrus Express, an As Seen on TV classic that first hit the market in 1997. The Citrus Express was a household name for a time, selling over three million units thanks to its innovative promise to simplify the process of cutting and juicing citrus fruits. After managing to snag an unopened, 26-year-old unit for $20 on eBay, I decided to put it to the test and see if it still holds up today.
Where to Purchase
Because this product is no longer sold, your best bet for finding one of these is on eBay, which is where I picked mine up. It’s fairly common, and I wouldn’t pay more than about $25 for it there.
What’s in the Box?
Opening the Citrus Express was like cracking open a time capsule from the ‘90s. Here’s what came inside:
- The main bowl with a pour spout.
- A blade and wedge cutter.
- A citrus corer.
- A small instruction sheet (surprisingly minimal for such a product).
The unit felt sturdy, with anti-skid feet on the base and a stainless-steel half-blade. It hadn’t yellowed over time, which is a win for vintage plastic durability!
Testing the Citrus Express
Orange Test
The first challenge was cutting an orange. The process begins with coring the fruit using the included corer, which performed impressively, removing the core cleanly and efficiently. Next, I placed the orange half on the wedge cutter, aligned it with the blade, and pressed down. While it felt slightly precarious at first, I completed a full turn as instructed.
The results? Surprisingly good! The orange was segmented into neat chunks, and the rind was almost completely cleaned out. For a device of its age, the performance was better than expected.
Grapefruit Test
Moving on to a grapefruit, I followed the same steps. The corer continued to impress, effortlessly removing the core. When it came to segmenting, the larger fruit seemed to fit the device even better than the orange. After one full turn, the grapefruit was perfectly chunked, with very little effort required. The process was clean and efficient, making this a standout feature of the product.
Juicer Function
The Citrus Express also claims to double as a juicer. Using the same setup, I pressed an orange half against the ridged surface and twisted. While it did extract juice, the shallow ridges on the juicing surface limited its efficiency. The juice collection system worked fine, but there are far better standalone juicers available. This function felt like an afterthought compared to the cutting feature.
Final Thoughts
The Citrus Express may be over two decades old, but it still delivers on its primary promise: efficiently cutting citrus into neat chunks. The corer was particularly impressive, and the segmentation process was smooth, making it a handy tool for preparing fruit salads or garnishes. However, as a juicer, it left something to be desired, especially compared to more modern options.
If you’re a fan of vintage As Seen on TV gadgets, the Citrus Express might just be a fun and functional addition to your kitchen. It’s easy to find on eBay, and for its intended purpose, it performs admirably.
Have you tried the Citrus Express or a similar product? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you next time!
Video Review
Check out my full video review below.