A glass of fresh juice is enough to light up anybody’s mood on a gloomy day. If you are a fan of fresh juice concentrates, chances are, you have come across Rachel’s Orchard. This husband and wife duo started off Rachel’s Orchard from their kitchen, today they sell a variety of fruit juice concentrates and pickles. They manufacture juice concentrates without using class 2 preservatives, artificial color or added flavors. In conversation with Teena Jerry, Co-founder of Rachel’s Orchard, we learn more about this startup and its different products!
Tell us about Rachel’s Orchard. What is the story behind it?
Rachel’s Orchard started off in my kitchen 6 years ago. My husband Jerry is a planter with plantations in Gudalur ( Nilgiris) and Vandenmedu ( Idukki). We started growing fruits in our land for additional revenue. When time came for harvest we could not find a market to sell our produce and so ended up making juice concentrates. Initially we gifted it to family and friends; on getting orders we slowly started branding and marketing our products.
Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before Rachel’s Orchard?
I am a qualified fashion designer and used to work for a boutique in Bangalore. I have been a homemaker after marriage.
Where is Rachel’s Orchard based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?
Rachel’s Orchard is based out of Cochin. Cochin is a Metro city and is strategically located.
What were the difficulties you faced while setting up Rachel’s Orchard? How did you overcome them?
We manufacture juice concentrates without using class 2 preservatives, artificial color or added flavors. Maintaining quality and getting a good shelf life for the products has been our greatest challenge.
Tell us about your products? Which would you say is your bestseller?
We make Passion fruit, Lemon & Ginger, Guava, Orange & Mint, Musambi, Strawberry, Litchi concentrates. We make Strawberry Preserve, Blackberry Preserve. We also have Lemon & Date pickle. Our best bestseller right now is the Lemon & Ginger Concentrate
How has Instagram and Social Media helped you promote your business? What are the other forms of marketing you do for Rachel’s Orchard?
Social Media has been a great help in creating brand awareness and sale. The only other form of marketing is by keeping tasting sessions in supermarkets.
Who are your competitiors and what makes your products unique from them?
We manufacture juice concentrates without using class 2 preservatives, artificial color or added flavors. Our quality and taste is much superior to all our competitors.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?
People think our products are a bit expensive. There is a huge cost involved when we do preservative free products. Refrigeration of products from beginning to the last point of sale takes a big share of our cost. Quality products are expensive.
Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?
We are a husband and wife team
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