Cali Press

It was on a recent trip to California, and in particular while in Los Angeles, that co-founder of Cali Press Nick Bardetta found himself surrounded by what he saw as a juice-bar culture equivalent to Sydney’s cafe culture. Cold-press juices, he argues, are superior, and not just for their taste.

Kelvin Ho (of Akin Creative fame) was behind the fit-out of Cali Press’ flagship in Bronte – a vision of sky blue, white tiles and sunlight that makes the small space feel double its size.

Regular juicing pushes fruit and vegetables through a heated motor. Using this method up to 60 per cent of vitamins and nutritional value can be lost. Cold-pressing gently pulverises the fruit and vegetables first, and then presses the pulp while it’s cold to maximise the extraction of vitamins and other nutrients.

With such freshness and high-nutrient content comes a high turnover; because the juices are raw they have a very short shelf life. So the juices at Cali press are produced and served fresh daily.

Cali Press’s offering is an array of colours as much as it is flavours: kale, spinach, parsley and mint make up greener numbers such as the Popeye and the Evergreen. Maple, cayenne, pineapple and lemon constitute varieties such as the Golden State and The Enigma. It’s The Pacino, however, that catches the eye; filtered water, almonds, cold-brew coffee, dates, and sea salt lends it its creamy, hazelnut hue.

Cali Press's Bondi outpost is larger and serves food, too; perfect for takeaway on the way to work. On the corner of Hall Street and Jacques Avenue, the stylish fit-out mirrors that of its Bronte counterpart. Choose to eat in on tall stools cozied up to the coffee bar, or one of the two outdoor wooden tables.

In addition to juices (available in small plastic or large glass bottles), it serves a range of heartier cold-pressed smoothies, a few new elixirs and tonics and food.

Salads include kale with marinated shiitake mushrooms and a Japanese style dressing and a salad of smoky coconut tofu with vermicelli noodles. If it’s just breakfast you’re after, supplement your morning beverage with a guilt-free raw brownie or a bowl of vegan bircher muesli.