Raw Juice - What's the Big Deal?
Can’t I just buy it at the grocery store?
Oh man, do I hear this often. I also get “the one at Starbucks is cheaper”, that one really makes me giggle. Let’s go ahead and lay out some really basic facts before I get into why you should be drinking Raw Juice.
Facts:
Yes, raw juice costs more
Yes, grocery store “healthy juice” costs less. (this also applies to Starbucks juice)
Yes, raw juice has a very short “shelf-life”
Yes, it’s still looks like the same green juice
Yes, the juice at the store is different
Okay, now that we have those out of the way, we can get to breaking it down.
There is Raw juice and so, what else is there? In the industry, it’s called HPP juice, but to all of you, you don’t see the difference or even know it out-right. These are the juices that you see in the stores and juices from, typically, larger businesses.
Local juice bars, where the juice is made in store, do not HPP, so you are usually safe there. However, you can always ask if they HPP just to be safe.
Raw Vs. HPP Juice - What’s the Difference?
Raw juice is exactly how it sounds. It is where you take the produce, juice it, bottle it and then it has a shelf life of 3-6 days. It’s also the type of juice that Real Peel is and ALWAYS will be.
These juices are not made in a big warehouse, sold at the big stores or ones that are mass produced. They are usually made at your local juice bar. It is the type of juice you make at home when you buy produce and juice it. Or by your local juice girl (hi, that’s me)
HPP - High Pressure Processing
When we say “processed” here, it is not as bad as the typical processed foods you think of. When you HPP a juice, a machine is applying a certain amount of pressure, at a certain time length and more science-y stuff, but that’s the gist. It can be pressurized to make the juice last anywhere from 21 days to 90 days on the shelf.
HPP is not making juice, as it all starts out as raw juice. This is taking it one step further and processing it. What does this do? Kills quite a bit of the enzymes, bacteria and nutrients in the juice.
Well, bacteria and enzymes sound scary, so it’s okay those are killed off, right? Not totally. Those organisms and enzymes in the raw juice will be used by your body to aid in digestive processes, treated like a pre- or probiotic and boosts your immune system.
The nutrient profile also diminishes. So, again, using juicing as a healing method, you would want the most nutrient dense juice out there.
So, Raw or Grocery Store Juice?
The way I, and Real Peel, approach this topic is like this:
Always choose raw juice first
Raw juice heals the body and provides it all of the wonderful nutrients, enzymes and bacteria!
The idea of juicing kale and then letting it sit on a shelf for 90 days makes me shudder, even though I know the bacteria have been killed off.
If you do not have a local juice bar, or your local juice girl to make you juice, then yes, a green juice from the grocery store will suffice.
No matter which way you turn it, raw juice will always be the more nutrient dense and health beneficial juice out there.
If you are having to choose between a Gatorade, soda, juice on the shelf or picking one of those grocery store green juices, then always choose the grocery store green juice. (or that Starbucks juice)
However, if you have the option between freshly made, raw juice or saving a buck or two on a grocery store juice, then ALWAYS, ALWAYS choose the raw juice. Your body will thank you for it later.
I know that was a little technical, but I get these questions all of the time about the difference between the juices that we make at Real Peel or the juice they can go to the store and buy.
Plus, know that when you go to your local juice bar or company, buying a raw juice makes a person do a happy dance, and you can’t beat supporting local!
Until next time,
Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.
Love, Aubrey