Spring is in the air and has brought along Jamba Juice fever. While April showers are bringing life to new flowers, empty Jamba Juice cups sprinkle trash cans across campus.
Jamba Juice, 401 State St., offers smoothies and freshly squeezed juices as a cool alternative to coffee. According to the Jamba Whirl newsletter, Jamba Juice targets fitness buffs, health gurus, college students and \everyday folks from young to old"" as its customer demographic.
Jamba Juice is like an oasis on a crowded State Street and overcast skies. The walls are painted in sunny hues of yellow and orange, along with fresh green tones. Trays of wheatgrass-available as one of the squeezed juice flavors-sit on the counters, giving the restaurant a more wholesome look than the typical polished-wood d??cor.
Even the music is upbeat, animating tired feet and invigorating spirits. That is a good thing, especially considering how limited seating is inside Jamba Juice. With the special Jamba Juice music mix playing, customers do not seem to mind standing while workers prepare their drinks.
Jamba Juice designs its beverages to be just as invigorating as the music. Every drink on the menu is fortified with fruit juices, and many even count as three to four fruit servings.
""My favorite drink there is Strawberries Wild because it is very flavorful and is practically a meal in and of itself,"" said UW-Madison freshman Valerie Manak.
The menu focuses entirely on health; workers never ask, ""Do you want fries with that?"" They will, however, ask if you want a Jamba BoostTM in your order. Customers wanting to substitute a drink for their daily multivitamins can choose to add either the Energy, Femme, Fiber, Immunity, Protein or Vita Boost for no additional cost. Of course, the drinks do already start at $2.85 (plus tax) for a Sixteen, also known as a size small.
Those seeking additional health benefits will have to pay extra. ""A few coins"" buys a Jamba Super BoostTM, such as the Vibrant C Boost for healthy skin, blood vessels and internal organs.
Other too-good-to-be-true Boosts include the Burner Boost-which suppresses hunger, burns fat and helps increase metabolism; and the Performance Boost, which provides athletes with antioxidants and electrolytes to enhance joint recovery.
At least that is what the menu proclaims. UW-Madison freshman Michael Gobin is one of the many students not completely won over by Jamba Juice's lure of fruitful benefits.
""I just don't see how it could be so healthy. Fresh [fruit] would be better,"" said Gobin.
Regardless of the actual health benefits, the drinks at Jamba Juice are always tasty and refreshing. The menu offers a variety of fruit flavors, creamy yogurt blends and even chocolate and peanut butter flavors. Peenya Kowlada-a blend of pineapple juice, banana, coconut, pineapple sherbet, frozen yogurt and ice-was a recurring favorite among many of the college females.
""I think that they [Jamba Juice's drinks, in general] are good,"" said Gobin, ""but at the same time, I think that they taste pasty-almost like a mix was used to make your drink.""
Freshman student and Jamba Juice fan Tom Prebich has also noticed a ""chalky taste, but I just kind of assumed that might be from a Boost.""
Manak, however, thought Strawberries Wild tasted like it was made from real fruit.
Simply impressed with Jamba Juice's prices, UW-Madison freshman Anna Stieg said, ""I get a small, and it's humongous! I split it into two [cups]. When you look at how much you pay for ice cream-it's about $1.60-and when you look at how much more you're getting with the smoothie, the smoothie is really a better deal.""
Just like Jamba...
how to make your own juice
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
4 large, fresh strawberries (or 1 cup frozen)
1?2 cup milk
1 ripe banana
5 ice cubes
11?2 teaspoons sugar (optional)
Puree banana. Add strawberries, milk, and ice cubes until smooth. Add sugar and blend for one more minute. Makes approximately 32 oz.
Recipe compliments of www.cooks.com.
