Smoothie operator: Jamba Juice now in Manila

SAN FRANCISCO, California — The blenders are buzzing, the juices are flowing, and the mélange of fruits are mixing.

It is like a symphony of smoothie making at the Jamba Juice store in Alameda, California. The orchestrators standing right behind the blenders have perfect rhythm, gracefully scooping a blend of ingredients consisting of frozen yogurt, frozen fruit, sherbet, and depending on the flavor, even some vegetables or chocolate to achieve the ultimate drink. 

At first glance, it seems too easy. After all, how hard can it be to throw together a couple of things in a blender?  And so, I have a go at concocting my own smoothie. In complete regalia, I wear my Jamba Juice shirt, apron topped off with a cap and a shiny plastic nametag pinned on me. I walk behind the counter with my high-heeled lace-up boots on and immediately feel intimidated by the assembly line I witness in front of me. I choose to make an all-fruit Strawberry Whirl consisting of strawberries, bananas and apple-strawberry juice. I notice that there is no ice, water or sugar syrup added to this blend.

Jamba’s Angels: Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Raya Mananquil and Cheryl Tiu

 And like every smoothie available at Jamba Juice, they take pride in real, natural and quality ingredients — without high-fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives or artificial flavors. The bonus? You get about two to three servings of fruit in one glass.

When avid cyclist Kirk Perron and his buddies founded what originally was called The Juice Club in 1990, he simply wanted a quick, healthy and refreshing snack to recharge him after his workout. He then envisioned merging fast food without having to sacrifice good nutrition and creating a soulful experience for the customer. Twenty-one years later, Jamba Juice has over 700 locations; and last Friday, Nov. 11, the first Southeast Asian store opened in the new extension of High Street at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig for Filipinos to get their own smoothie fix.

 “When you enter a Jamba Juice store, you immediately feel an energetic vibe, and this goes into our drinks,” says Dar Vasseghi, director for international operations.  Looking up at the menu, you have a choice of their famous classic smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, Fruit Tea fusions, Hot Blends, and organic tea lattes. 

Jamba Juice honchos: Director of international operations Dar Vasseghi, senior vice president Thibault de Chatellus and managing director of the Philippines Sharon Fuentebella in San Francisco

 “Strawberries Wild and Banana Berry have been our all-time best-sellers,” Thibault de Chatellus, senior vice president-international, says with a French accent that assumes an animated American zest. “Every day, I just have a Jamba Juice for lunch, and that’s it.” 

Keeping the health-conscious and all-natural philosophy of the company in mind, they are very transparent about not only what goes into your drink, but also the nutrition facts. Every store either has a booklet, or a digital screen containing all the information from calories, saturated fat (most of them, zero), and carb content in each flavor. A 16-oz. drink averages between 250 and 350 calories, but gives you the satisfying feel of a heavy snack or a meal. If you’re always on the go in the morning, this is the perfect convenient drink to keep you full without the sluggish feeling from a heavy breakfast.     

But if slushy smoothies aren’t enough to satiate your appetite (but believe me, they will be), they also offer better-for-you foods such as breakfast wraps, freshly baked breads, and my personal favorite, organic steel-cut oatmeal made with soymilk. For those with a sweet tooth, there are some indulgences that still have fruit servings in them, such as the Peanut Butter Moo’d, made with chocolate, peanut butter, bananas, frozen yogurt and soymilk. Some Filipinos say it’s like having liquefied Choc Nut in a glass.

The whole gang is here at the Jamba Juice headquarters in Emeryville: Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Amor Maclang, Cheryl Tiu, Raya Mananquil, Isabel de Leon and Anton Diaz

The unique proprietary blends of juices are what have made Jamba Juice the supreme smoothie maker, and that’s why at their headquarters in Emeryville, they are constantly developing new flavors and combinations. As I enter the room, on the door there is a sign that reads, “Come try the future flavors of Jamba” with doodles of fruits, and their famous logo, the multicolored whirl.

 I try an unnamed grape variety, which I am initially hesitant to do because grape juice is probably my least favorite kind, but this one I actually really like. That was just first of probably 20 smoothies samples we drank the entire afternoon. At this point, I can proudly claim that I have become a smoothie connoisseur. 

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One week later, I find myself feeling like I’m back in San Francisco, except I am at the opening of first Jamba Juice store in Manila. Everything looks exactly the same, from the vibrant hues of orange, green and yellow painted on the walls to the loud drones of the blender. “This has been a long time coming,” says Sharon Fuentebella, managing director of Jamba Juice Philippines.

Goodies with your smoothies: Freshly baked breads and pastries are also offered in Jamba Juice stores

I fall in line and order the Five Fruit Frenzy. I take a sip and the cold and tangy mixture of blueberries, strawberries, bananas, peaches, mangos, mixed berry juice and peach juice gives me a jolt.

In this case, brain freeze has never felt so good.

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The first Jamba Juice in Southeast Asia is now open at 7th Avenue corner 29th South, 1634 Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.  Visit www.jambajuice.ph, like them on Facebook facebook.com/jambajuiceph and follow them on Twitter @jambajuiceph for more information.

Chilla in Manila: Drinking my first smoothie at the store opening