If you've ever ordered from Raw Generation, you may wonder why you received a box of frozen juices on your doorstep. Or maybe you're new here and wondering why we have thawing instructions.
That's because we freeze our cold-pressed juice at Raw Generation, and yes, it is perfectly fine to do so.
You may ask questions like, "Well, isn't it supposed to be fresh?" or "Doesn't freezing fresh juice destroy the nutrient content?" And these are very valid questions to ask.
Freezing is an integral part of our process; without it, we would not be who we are today. Let's dive into why...
Our Process
Before freezing, we source the highest quality ingredients, like fresh fruits and veggies.
Each ingredient gets a thorough wash and is run through our cold-press juicer, separating the fruit and vegetable pulp from the liquid. Heat is never used during this process (unlike other companies that may use centrifugal juicers, which can impact the quality of the juice).
Every recipe is bottled immediately into BPA-free bottles. It is then put into a blast freezer, a special freezer that freezes extremely quickly, designed to help preserve all nutrients and enzymes present in our juices and smoothies.
Benefits of Freezing Cold Pressed Juice Vs. Other Methods
Flash Freezing
The flash freezing process is what we believe to be the superior option for preserving raw juices naturally.
Flash freezing is designed to lock in the nutritional value of your juice, helping to preserve nutrients, minerals, and enzymes. The key is freezing these juices immediately because the longer they sit out, the more nutrients they can lose through oxidation. With this method, no preservatives are necessary.
Freezing is also a natural way to store juices without harsh chemical additives. This makes our juices truly raw.
Pasteurization
Pasteurization is a process typically used to heat milk or juice products to extend shelf life and reduce potential pathogens. The liquid is heated at high temperatures and then quickly cooled off.
This process can negatively impact the nutritional integrity of the juice, including vitamins and minerals, as well as the flavor profile. This leads companies to add synthetic or fortified vitamins and refined sugars to compensate.
High-Pressure Processing (HPP)
High-pressure processing (HPP) uses high pressure and water to sterilize juice. If you see "cold-pressed" juice in a retail store refrigerator, it is likely HPP'd unless the store juiced it on site.
Although no heat is directly used, the high pressure raises the temperature and can affect beneficial enzymes and nutrients in the juice.
Grocery Store Deception
All fruit and vegetable juices you see on the shelves at your local grocery store have been pasteurized or treated in some way, even ones marked as "raw."
There is no practical way for store-bought juices to be truly raw. Stores do not have the time or capacity to juice and bottle their product fresh. There is no way for true raw juice to last on a shelf for a month unless it is processed.
Unfortunately, these processes are used for some juice cleanses on the market. We are one of the very few companies doing juice the way we believe it should be done. With Raw Generation, all you have to do is order, defrost, and sip real juice.
Our Juice Versus Theirs
Here are examples of two green juices. The first one is store-bought. The second one is ours.
Theirs: "VEGETABLE JUICE (FILTERED WATER AND CONCENTRATED JUICES OF SWEET POTATOES, YELLOW CARROTS, SPINACH, CUCUMBER, CELERY, KALE...), FILTERED WATER, FRUIT JUICE (FILTERED WATER AND CONCENTRATED JUICES OF APPLES, PINEAPPLE), CITRIC ACID, NATURAL FLAVORING, DEHYDRATED SPINACH, VITAMIN C (ASCORBIC ACID), BETA CAROTENE, HUITO JUICE CONCENTRATE (FOR COLOR)..."
Ours: "CELERY JUICE, LEMON JUICE"
The ingredients truly speak for themselves. At Raw Generation, we never heat or treat our juices. This means there is no need to add flavors, juices from concentrate, synthetic vitamins, colors, sugars, and so on.
How To Defrost Safely
Your juice will arrive frozen. Store them in your freezer right away.
Defrost your juices as needed. Leave them in the fridge overnight. This could take anywhere from 24-48 hours, depending on the temperature of your fridge.
Never drink juice that has been left at room temperature for extended periods of time.
If your juices and smoothies defrost a little in transit, that's okay. As long as there is still ice inside the bottle, they are still safe to consume.
Flash Frozen To Perfection
The decision to freeze our cold-pressed juices at Raw Generation is not just a practical choice but a commitment to helping preserve the integrity of every nutrient, mineral, and enzyme in our beverages.
The comparison between our ingredient list and that of store-bought juices highlights the purity of our approach: no synthetic vitamins, no refined sugars, just real food found in nature.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new dietary program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition.
