Sopas Graciete was the first company to offer ready-to-eat refrigerated soups in Portugal. At some point, they needed to expand their business geographically while ensuring freshness and upholding the authenticity of their beloved recipes without using additives or preservatives. High Pressure Processing (HPP) appeared as the only solution to extend the shelf life and maintain the homemade taste and quality of their soups. This blog post explores how they currently leverage HPP technology since its adoption in 2020.
A Pioneer Company in the Soup Market
Sopas Graciete, a family-owned business founded in 2004, has become synonymous with innovation and tradition. The company proudly maintains its deep roots in Evora, Portugal where its founders began their entrepreneurial journey by opening a modest soup restaurant. Under the visionary leadership of Vasco Vieira, the managing partner and one of the founders, Sopas Graciete became the first company to offer ready-to-eat refrigerated soups in Portugal. More recently, the company embraced High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, propelling its market expansion to new heights thanks to the extended shelf life achieved.
A clear indication of the company’s dedication to its heritage and principles is that it has its own farms where they cultivate part of the vegetables and greens used to prepare their soups.
Natural Flavor, Clean Label and Market Expansion Thanks to HPP
The journey of Sopas Graciete is a testament to the power of embracing new technologies while staying true to core values. Their commitment to using natural ingredients to create soups that taste homemade has set them apart in the market. The challenge of expanding their market reach without compromising on their principles led them to HPP, a non-thermal preservation method that extends shelf life without the need for additives.
The adoption of HPP in 2020 marked a significant turning point for Sopas Graciete. By partnering with Hiperbaric, the global leading manufacturer of HPP equipment, they were able to maintain the natural taste, quality, and nutritional value of their soups, offering a shelf life of up to 35 days. This breakthrough allowed them to increase their presence in various retailers and restaurants nationwide and expand beyond Portugal’s borders into Spain.
One of the crowning achievements of Sopas Graciete’s expansion is its partnership with McDonald’s Portugal. Since 2014, they have supplied McDonald’s with two of their traditional recipes, meeting the food service giant’s quality standards and providing customers with a taste of authenticity and freshness.
Unlocking Product Development with the Versatility of HPP
HPP showcases its versatility by accommodating both large food service formats and various supermarket packaging sizes. This capability has propelled the company’s product development, exemplified by its new range of HPP juices. The company will continue to take advantage of all the possibilities offered by HPP. In the words of Vasco Vieira: “Moving forward, we are committed to fostering a culture of continuous innovation and embracing all the potential opportunities that HPP can bring. Cheers to the future!”
Discover the full story of Sopas Graciete in this last video of our HPP Global Community:
