Fresh pressed juice has become increasingly popular in recent years, with cold-pressed and high pressure processed juices lining the shelves of health food stores and supermarkets. Advocates for fresh pressed juice claim it retains more nutrients compared to traditional pasteurized juices. But is fresh pressed juice actually unpasteurized? Let’s take a closer look.
What is pasteurization?
Pasteurization is a process of heating liquids to destroy potentially harmful bacteria and microorganisms. It is named after French scientist Louis Pasteur, who discovered that spoilage organisms could be inactivated by applying heat at temperatures below boiling point. The most common pasteurization methods are:
- High Temperature Short Time (HTST) – Heating at 71.7°C (161°F) for 15-30 seconds
- Ultra High Temperature (UHT) – Heating at 138°C (280°F) for 2-4 seconds
Pasteurization allows juice to be safely stored for extended periods without spoiling. It became a legal requirement for juices sold commercially in the US after an outbreak of E. coli from unpasteurized apple cider in the 90s.
Why pasteurize juice?
The main purpose of pasteurization is to destroy pathogens that may be present in raw juices, such as:
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Listeria
- Cryptosporidium
These bacteria can contaminate juice when it comes into contact with fecal matter during harvesting, processing, or storage. Drinking contaminated raw juice can cause serious foodborne illness.
Pasteurization also helps extend the shelf life of juices by inactivating spoilage organisms like yeasts and molds. While not strictly a safety issue, this allows juices to be stored unrefrigerated for months.
Are fresh pressed juices pasteurized?
Strictly speaking, fresh pressed juice that has not undergone a pasteurization process is considered unpasteurized. However, there are some important caveats:
- Not all fresh pressed juice is completely raw – Some juices undergo a light pasteurization or alternative processing methods like HPP (high pressure processing). This still allows them to be labeled as “fresh” while reducing risk.
- Homemade juice is always unpasteurized – Juice you make yourself at home in a juicer or blender will be completely raw and unpasteurized.
- “Unpasteurized” and “cold-pressed” don’t have legal definitions – Companies can use these terms even if juices have received some heat treatment.
So you can’t assume that all juices labeled as fresh pressed, cold-pressed, or unpasteurized are completely raw and untreated. Checking processing details is important if you want to avoid any pasteurization.
Popular fresh pressed juice brands
Here’s the pasteurization status for some top fresh pressed juice brands:
| Brand | Pasteurization |
|---|---|
| Suja | HPP (High Pressure Processing) |
| Pressed Juicery | Light pasteurization |
| Evolution Fresh | HPP |
| Juice Press | No pasteurization |
As you can see, while these brands advertise their juices as raw, cold-pressed, or fresh, most do undergo some level of processing for safety. Truly raw and unpasteurized juice is hard to find from major commercial producers.
Is pasteurized or unpasteurized juice better?
There are pros and cons to both pasteurized and unpasteurized juice:
| Pasteurized | Unpasteurized | |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Less risk of illness | Higher food safety risk |
| Shelf life | Months when sealed | 3-5 days once pressed |
| Nutrients | Some loss from heat | No heat means more enzymes |
| Taste | Milder flavor | Richer, fresher taste |
Ultimately, it’s about personal preference and risk tolerance. Immunocompromised people may want to avoid the higher risk of unpasteurized juice. However, some people strongly believe the nutritional benefits outweigh the minimal risk when proper produce handling is followed.
Can you make unpasteurized juice at home?
Yes, it’s easy to make completely raw and unpasteurized juice at home. All you need is:
- Wash produce thoroughly under running water
- A juicer or blender
- Clean equipment and containers
There are also some steps you can take to reduce the risk of illness and spoilage:
- Scrub firm produce with a brush
- Use only fresh, undamaged produce
- Peel root vegetables and citrus
- Drink immediately or store in fridge for up to 3 days
- Wash all equipment thoroughly after use
Making your own fresh unpasteurized juice at home gives you full control over produce quality and processing. You can customize flavors and retain the maximum enzymatic activity. However, be sure to follow proper food safety practices when preparing produce and storing juice.
Should you drink unpasteurized juice?
Drinking truly raw and unpasteurized juice involves a slight risk of foodborne illness. The risks are higher for children, pregnant women, elderly people, and those with compromised immune systems. Here are some factors to consider:
- Source high quality, fresh produce from reputable growers
- Wash produce extremely thoroughly
- Use a blender instead of a juicer when possible to retain fiber
- Drink immediately after making for maximum nutrients
- Store in the refrigerator no longer than 24-48 hours
- Listen to your body – discontinue use if any intestinal upsets occur
When these precautions are taken, most healthy adults can safely consume small amounts of unpasteurized juice. Those at higher risk of illness should consult their doctor first or stick to pasteurized products.
Conclusion
While “fresh pressed” juice gives the impression of being raw and unpasteurized, many mainstream brands do undergo some heat processing or alternative treatments prior to bottling. Truly raw juice is hard to find commercially. Making your own unpasteurized juice at home allows full control over produce quality and avoidance of any heat processing. While a slight food safety risk exists with unpasteurized juice, this can be mitigated by following proper handling and storage practices. Healthy adults can likely drink small amounts with minimal issues. However, children, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions should take extra caution or avoid completely. Overall, the choice between raw and pasteurized juice contains both risks and benefits that must be evaluated on an individual basis.
