Safteriet: Real berries, real fruit, delicious drinks

Using the best of nature’s ingredients, Safteriet produces freshly squeezed juices and sodas with fruits, berries, rhubarb and elderflower. The Stavanger-based company’s goal is to make the purest, most authentic craft drinks on the market – and they’re taking Norway by storm.

Safteriet’s journey began at Ullandhaug Økologiske Gård in 1997. The farm project was built on the principles of organic production and the goal of providing a supportive space for people to gain valuable work experience.. “It was founded on sustainable ideals, both in terms of people and ingredients,” says Steinar Aanestad, Safteriet’s purchasing manager.

In 2011, Safteriet became a separate business with a promising potential for growth. Later, production moved to a small factory in Hillevåg to accommodate the steadily increasing demand. Ullandhaug Økologiske Gård, however, remains a close partner and key supplier of high-quality rhubarb. “We value our roots, and the passion and craftsmanship we started with remain the same today,” stresses sales manager Alina Sundalskleiv.

Safteriet had bold ambitions from the start, with the goal of making Norway’s best drinks. But while they’ve experimented with flavours, variants, and adjustments, their recipes have largely stayed the same.

“Our vision is to have something for everyone, and we won’t compromise on quality,” Sundalskleiv says. “The quality of our products must be consistent – there are no shortcuts. You should be able to taste the real, pure ingredients.”

The passion for premium ingredients has been one of the cornerstones of Safteriet’s operations since its humble beginnings. Only natural ingredients are used – preferably organic and certainly free of pesticides and additives – and sourcing enough to satisfy customer demand is a challenge.

The small, tight-knit team behind Safteriet is grateful to have fantastic suppliers, who share their passion for high-quality ingredients. “The farmers and partners we work with are skilled and knowledgeable, providing fruit and berries of excellent quality. Each ingredient has its own story,” Aanestad says. “They know the fresh produce, and we know how to utilise the ingredients to make the best drinks.”

After years of testing, the team have found that their drinks taste best when the ingredients are frozen as soon as they arrive, except for apples and elderflower which are best freshly picked off the tree. “We believe the freezing process gives the fruit and berries a better taste and allows the natural sweetness to develop,” says Aanestad.

Over the last few years, the company has also experimented with carbonated juice, which has resulted in the fRUKTSMEKK line of six tasty sodas, of which Rhubarb + Elderflower and Plum + Ginger are particularly popular. Every Thursday afternoon, the factory opens its doors to visitors and those looking to sample tasty drinks.

Web: www.safteriet.no
Facebook: Safteriet
Instagram: @safteriet