warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Jamba Juice: Secrets Don't Make Friends, But They Make Great Smoothies

Cecilia Callas |
February 17, 2012 | 8:34 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter
Jamba Juice serves many delicious smoothies, but not all of them are on the menu. (Creative Commons / Flickr)
Jamba Juice serves many delicious smoothies, but not all of them are on the menu. (Creative Commons / Flickr)
Forget plain old berries and bananas, the true deliciousness of Jamba Juice smoothies lies in their secret concoctions. 
Jamba Juice is undoubtedly one of the leading smoothie chains in the US, with over 700 locations in 30 different states. Let’s face it—if you haven’t tried a smoothie from Jamba Juice, you just haven’t lived. But how can you make your next Jamba visit a novel experience? The answer lies in Jamba’s hidden menu, complete with smoothies unspoken of by Jamba’s crew members, available only upon request.
While “White Gummi Bear,” “Pink Starburst” and “Orange Dream Machine” are a few of the more well- known secrets, there are actually over thirty different secret smoothies that Jamba Juice employees should be able to whip up for you. It could be the exhilaration of knowing something you’re not necessarily supposed to know about them or just the chance to try something new, but these flavors are as good as, if not better, than the publicized smoothies available on the menu.
“Blue Gummi Bear”: Turns out, “White Gummi” isn’t as unique as it sounds. Most people don’t know that Jamba serves all types and colors of “Gummi Bear” flavors: including blue, red, green, pink, and chocolate. If you really know your candy, you might realize that blue gummi bears don’t actually exist—but after this drink made with soymilk, raspberry juice, blueberries and pineapple and raspberry sherbet, you’ll wish there was such a thing. 
“Fruity Pebbles”: This just proves that Jamba Juice can make pretty much anything into a smoothie: combining soymilk and every flavor sherbet they can, Jamba Juice will have you returning to your days of munching on Fruity Pebbles breakfast cereal in no time.
“Strawberry Shortcake”: It’s the creamy, strawberry cake in a cup. Actually. This drink tastes identical to the yummy dessert, but how can this be? The secret lies in pineapple juice and sherbet; for some reason, a hint of pineapple mixed with strawberries and frozen yogurt produces a strikingly similar taste to the beloved shortcake treat. 
“Thank You Jesus”: This smoothie is just as it sounds—heavenly. With the perfect balance of tart and tangy, this drink has the effect of one of Jesus’ unbelievable miracles. Made with lemonade, soymilk, strawberries, pineapple and lime sherbet and ice, “Thank You Jesus” is a lost miracle that deserves to be back up on the menu!
“Sourpatch Kid”: Love the super sour candy? Try this drink; made with lemonade, blueberries, and lime, pineapple, raspberry and orange sherbet, “Sourpatch Kid” is a wonderfully sour sensation. However, it’s a little difficult to down the whole smoothie, due to the heavy nature of all the sherbet packed in there.
“Peanut Butter and Jelly”: Sandwiches are a thing of the past! Peanut butter and jelly can now be consumed through a straw, and it’s so good it makes you wonder why you ever ate it in sandwich form anyways. Mix soymilk, peanut butter, blueberries and raspberry juice and you have yourself every school kid’s dream. 
So Jamba, why all the secrets? The truth is, most of these secret smoothies are just too unhealthy for the look Jamba Juice is going for; their website emphasizes a stress on “Natural energy from nutritious ingredients” and “Real whole fruit, Real fruit juice”. The secret flavors often contain more unhealthy ingredients, which strays too far from the “healthy” Jamba Juice image, hence the secret menu.
The hidden flavors add much to the Jamba Juice experience; instead of ordering a boring “Strawberry’s Wild”, go for the more original “Strawberry Shortcake”. It’s unique and different, and will give you a little bit of satisfaction at seeing your smoothie maker’s impressed expression as they hand over their secret and your yummy treat. However, be warned—some employees aren’t trained to perfection and might not be able to concoct these scrumptious novelties for you. It might take a few more trips to various Jamba Juice locations, but sipping on that “Thank You Jesus” will be well worth it in the end. 
Reach reporter Cecilia Callas here


 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.