Squeezing out nutrients in fruit and vegetable juices, the first cold pressed juicery in Baton Rouge aims to encourage healthy habits in the city’s inhabitants.
The Big Squeezy, located under the Perkins Road overpass, is the only juicery in Baton Rouge and offers fresh juices, smoothies, milks and food.
Owners Kim Matsko and Samir Abdo worked in New York restaurants and decided to take the East and West Coast health craze to Baton Rouge when they realized there was a demand for the product.
“We felt there was enough momentum and we are the only ones who are doing what we are doing,” Abdo said. “We are the first, and there is something special about that.”
The Big Squeezy differs from at-home and common juices in that the drinks are made using the cold press method. Without heat, the fruits and vegetables are able to retain the enzymes in the juices that help with digestion.
The drinks contain no added sugars and with about three pounds of fruits and vegetables per bottle, the juicery aims to incorporate more local farmers for produce as the weather warms up.
Abdo said juiceries on the east and west coasts are too exclusive, and the new Baton Rouge business wanted to accomplish the opposite in a town where people are unfamiliar with juicing.
So far, he said different types of customers have taken to the product, both older customers and college students.
While some may regard juicing as a fad, Abdo said the juices can be used to compliment meals or a customer can do a juice cleanse.
The Big Squeezy recommends a three-day cleanse not to lose weight, but to give the body a break. Digestion requires the most energy in the body, and if someone is only taking in juices, then he or she is not going to opt for a fast food lunch, Abdo said.
“A big part of the business is to educate people on what they are putting in their bodies,” Abdo said.
The Big Squeezy is also looking into offering more food options and is testing salads, truffles, granola and energy bars.

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Taylor Balkom

The Big Squeezy offers a monthly juice service.