{"id":40208,"date":"2026-07-28T09:00:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lagazette-mag.io\/?p=40208"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T13:25:39","slug":"the-alchemist-of-caudan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lagazette-mag.io\/en\/the-alchemist-of-caudan\/","title":{"rendered":"The Alchemist of Caudan"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the shadow of Le Caudan\u2019s iconic umbrellas lies a spot that\u2019s just as iconic as the shopping center itself: Rakesh Chundunsing\u2019s 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. <\/b>Eug\u00e9nie Sauzier-de Rosnay<\/em><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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\u2014a concept that didn\u2019t exist in Mauritius at the time, except in hotels. That\u2019s when his true passion began. \u201cI 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,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n

Once the adventure began, Le Caudan seemed like the obvious choice to him. \u201cThis shopping center is the heart of the capital, for tourists and Mauritians alike,\u201d 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\u2026 His shelves are overflowing with fruit, with a special focus on seasonal varieties. \u201cEvery fruit has its own benefits, and that\u2019s what we highlight,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n

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\u2014he has a gift for building relationships. \u201cSome travelers come back to see me after 10 or 15 years, and that really touches me,\u201d he says. Today, he\u2019s delighted to see more and more Mauritians getting into the spirit of things! With nearly 30 years in business, it won\u2019t be anytime soon that the \u201calchemist of Caudan\u201d will stop brightening up the beautiful cobblestone walkway of the shopping center! <\/p>\n

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In the shadow of Le Caudan\u2019s iconic umbrellas lies a spot that\u2019s just as iconic as the shopping center itself: Rakesh Chundunsing\u2019s 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, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":40215,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1858],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-40208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-the-caudan-story"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t