In the shadow of Le Caudan’s iconic umbrellas lies a spot that’s just as iconic as the shopping center itself: Rakesh Chundunsing’s fresh fruit juice stand! Anyone who has ever strolled along the Port Louis waterfront will instantly recognize the mischievous Charlie Chaplin turned waiter, the shelves bursting with brightly colored fruit, and, of course, the energetic voice of the pioneer of juice stands in Mauritius. Eugénie Sauzier-de Rosnay
It’s been 28 years since Rakesh set up shop on the Caudan, just two years after the center opened. A former basketball player, Mauritian champion, and health enthusiast, it was while traveling in Asia that he discovered fresh fruit juice stands—a concept that didn’t exist in Mauritius at the time, except in hotels. That’s when his true passion began. “I did a lot of research and chose a juicer that spins at 1,500 revolutions per minute, as opposed to the usual 5,000 or even 6,000, in order to preserve the enzymes in the fruit,” he explains.
Once the adventure began, Le Caudan seemed like the obvious choice to him. “This shopping center is the heart of the capital, for tourists and Mauritians alike,” he says. For nearly three decades, his schedule has changed very little. At 7 a.m. sharp, Rakesh begins preparing the fruit, before being joined by two colleagues at 9 a.m.: they wash, peel, and cut… His shelves are overflowing with fruit, with a special focus on seasonal varieties. “Every fruit has its own benefits, and that’s what we highlight,” he explains.
Among his best-sellers are pineapple-orange-passion fruit, watermelon-pomegranate-pitaya, and pineapple-mango. With no added sugar or water, his juices have become a staple. This comes as no surprise, because Rakesh is more than just a shopkeeper—he has a gift for building relationships. “Some travelers come back to see me after 10 or 15 years, and that really touches me,” he says. Today, he’s delighted to see more and more Mauritians getting into the spirit of things! With nearly 30 years in business, it won’t be anytime soon that the “alchemist of Caudan” will stop brightening up the beautiful cobblestone walkway of the shopping center!
