HPP, or high pressure processing, puts sealed bottles of juice into a chamber of water under extreme pressure. It inactivates bacteria and stretches shelf life from days to weeks. Pasteurization does the same job with heat. Raw, unpasteurized juice skips both steps. Sabi is pressed cold, bottled and kept cold, with nothing done to it after the press.
What HPP is
Most bottled juice in a grocery cooler has been through a second step after it's made. HPP is the most common one for cold pressed brands. The juice isn't heated, which is why many brands still call it raw. But it has been processed so it can travel farther and sit on shelves longer.
What pasteurized means
Pasteurization heats juice to kill bacteria. It's safe and shelf stable, but heat changes flavor and color and wears down heat sensitive vitamins like vitamin C.
What raw gets you, and what it doesn't
Raw juice tastes the way it did the moment it left the press: bright, a little earthy and clearly made from real produce. The tradeoff is a short, honest shelf life. That's why we press in small batches every day.
We also want to be clear about fiber. When you press juice, most of the fiber stays behind in the pulp. Juice is not a fiber source. It's a fast way to consume more produce than you'd ever sit down and chew, like the five green blends in our Green Reset 10 Pack.
Is raw juice safe?
Raw juice is made with fresh produce and isn't treated to kill bacteria, so the FDA requires a warning on packaged juice that hasn't been pasteurized or processed. Every Sabi bottle carries this warning on its back label. People who are pregnant, young children, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system should talk with their doctor. For everyone else, the rule is simple: keep it cold and drink it fresh.
Why never HPP keeps us local
Skipping HPP means our juice can't sit on a shelf for a month. So we keep it close:
- Pickup at our Venice kitchen inside Colony, 401 Lincoln Blvd, and inside Colony at 11419 Santa Monica Blvd
- Thursday delivery within 6 miles
- Overnight cold shipping across Southern California in insulated boxes with ice packs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HPP juice still raw?
HPP juice isn't heated, so some brands call it raw. At Sabi, raw means nothing happens to the juice after it's pressed.
Does HPP remove nutrients?
HPP keeps more vitamins than heat pasteurization does, but it can still change some of the naturally occurring enzymes and delicate plant compounds in fresh juice, along with its flavor. Sabi skips it so the juice stays as close as possible to how nature intended.
Can I drink unpasteurized juice while pregnant?
The FDA advises people who are pregnant to choose pasteurized or treated juice. Please check with your doctor.
How should I store raw juice?
Keep it in the fridge and drink it within 5 to 7 days. You can also freeze a bottle and let it thaw for 15 to 16 hours before drinking.
When is the best time to drink it?
Carmen's tip, from what we call the Sabi Protocol: drink your juice first thing on an empty stomach, then wait about 20 minutes before eating.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
