Nothing happens overnight and no success is instantaneous. It takes years of hard work, sweat, tears and toil to become a global giant like Rauch. The Austrian beverage company, based in Rankweil was founded in 1919 by Franz Josef Rauch. He started the family business as a cider press for neighboring farmers, and the operation grew to industrial scale over the next century.
Till this day, the company is still owned and run by the family. Four generations of Rauch’s have been providing us with our favorite juice. Four generations have been managing the most motivated staff and striving for the highest quality. The leading fruit juice producer in Europe is quenching thirst in 100 countries worldwide.
The source of goodness of this empire is fruit, and Rauch recognizes that nature has gifted humanity with the most valuable gift. By actively working on the economical, sustainable and careful use of this collective resource, they take responsibility and remain committed to the environment. Their values are clear and simple: Make the best tasting juice without harming the planet.
By the 1960s, the company had started expanding their retail division in Europe and in the 1970s, Rauch arrived at the Arabian shores. The juice was an instant hit and became the Rolex of drinks. Everyone wanted it but no one could recreate it or anything similar. The introduction of Tetrapak packaging in the 1980s was another leap in the right direction. The new and improved boxes were lighter, easier to store and handle. For consumers, they were more convenient to use. The company continued to grow and expand in the 90s and into the 2000s.
Until 1994 all of the production plants were in Austria. That year, Rauch opened their first factory in Hungary, then added Switzerland in 2005 and Serbia in 2006 to their growing list of manufacturing operations. But perhaps one of the most important changes in the way juice was manufactured, was the ability to pasteurize juice. Pasteurization is a process in which fruit juice is treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C, to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life.
When you are shopping, it is easy to get confused but when you buy Rauch juice you know you are getting the best quality because they continuously test – starting with the fruits and ending with the juices! Everything is automated including sample measurement in state-of-the-art laboratories. The staff is diligent and committed and with more than 100 years of experience and ISO-Certification since 1993, you are always going to get the perfect glass of juice.
First the fruit is delivered, washed and sorted manually. Next, it is mashed and pressed. Fruit is only usable for a very short time frame. It needs to be at maximum quality, taste, aroma, sugar content and nutritional value. If it is unripe or too ripe, it is discarded. The juice is then filtered so that pulp and other bits are removed before it is concentrated. A semi-finished product can now be stored as concentrate or blended before it is pasteurized. Then it is filled into the containers and shipped all around the world.
There are three main types of drinks that start as fruits; juice, nectar and drinks. Fruit juice is produced directly from fruit and the fruit content is 100%. Aromas, water, colorants and additives cannot be added. The same applies to nectars but it is usually for fruits that are too sour or are made from thicker purees.
The next time you reach for your fruit juice fix, make sure you are grabbing a Rauch juice, because they are made from the freshest fruits without any nasty additives. So you will be getting all the goodness.
You can find Rauch juice in all co-ops, supermarkets and quality retailers. For more on Rauch follow @raucharabia on Instagram.
