Sixteen oz. Raspberry Rainbow All Fruit Smoothie

Item Purchased: Sixteen oz. Raspberry Rainbow All Fruit Smoothie
Location Purchased: Jamba Juice / 1322 South Halsted / Chicago, IL
Price: $3.45 + tax

Review: It is rare that I pay $3.45 for sixteen ounces of anything, but come spring, with its sun and warmth, and Jamba Juice becomes my weakness. I have half a mind to buy a blender for work and make my own smoothies for far less than Jamba charges. It is just so damn hard to deny the convenience of a smoothie shop one block away from the office.

This spring, Jamba Juice has introduced (damn, write that one down for your next freestyle competition) a line of all-fruit smoothies. This means, no more fattening fermented milk (yogurt) in your cup. There is only a medley of fruit and ice (hey, that's not fruit!). Having once been a complete health nut (who smokes), I thought I'd give one of these new concoctions a try.

I regularly choose raspberries when I make or order smoothies. I like the tartness they offer and the fact that they dupe everyone by not being berries at all (they are actually numerous drupelets growing around a central core...don't say I never taught you anything). Included in my drink were also bananas (which are technically epigynous berries), strawberries (actually a vegetable...only the seeds are fruits) and orange juice (I have nothing interesting to say about orange juice). The dense mixture comes out as a light and bright maroon-colored ice mush that tastes more of raspberry and orange than of banana or strawberry. Along with my free protein boost, this smoothie was a great alternative for lunch.

The Raspberry Rainbow loses a couple of points for being priced as if it were a Starbucks drink, but the taste and quality of Jamba's products are fantastic. I'm sure you will see more reviews for Jamba Juice in the coming months. Spring is finally here and when I get my bike fixed, I will need to stay hydrated and energized.

Rating: 3.5 / 5