Although the cultivation of citrus fruit began more than 4,000 years ago, the oldest known citrus juicers were discovered in Kütahya, Turkey, in the early 18th century. Made of ceramic pottery and exquisitely detailed with floral blossoms in cobalt blue and other bright hues, these gorgeous antique lemon reamers sell today at auctions for thousands of dollars.
Between 1880 and 1910, more than 200 patents for lemon squeezers were registered in the United States. Perhaps one of the most iconic citrus squeezers, the Juicy Salif is an ultramodern cast and polished aluminum creation by French designer Philippe Starck. Although the design of the Juicy Salif is held in high regard, many critics call it messy and not very functional.
Modern-day varieties, on the other hand, make it easy to add fresh-squeezed citrus juice to meals and drinks.
Learn about three common types of citrus juicers used today. 
Citrus Reamer
Simple reamers can efficiently juice a variety of citrus fruits, but they require some muscle power. Not all models filter out pulp and seeds like other juicers, but with its compact size and low cost, a citrus reamer is a good addition to any kitchen.
Citrus Squeezer
Hand-held and muscle-powered citrus squeezers are another affordable option. Unlike many reamers, squeezers feature a built-in strainer to keep seeds and pulp separate from juice. One main disadvantage is that one size does not fit all; juicing oranges and limes, for example, requires two different sized squeezers.
Electric Citrus Juicer
The most expensive of all juicers, electric varieties require much less muscle power than manual options, making them ideal for juicing larger quantities of fruit at once for fresh orange juice or lemonade. Both squeezer and reamer versions are available and include built-in strainers to remove pulp and seeds. One drawback to electric juicers, apart from their cost: They are more difficult to clean and require more storage space than manual options.
