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Jamba Juice Goes Beyond Smoothies, Debuts Food

YumSugar — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:50:36 -0700

Starbucks isn't the only beverage chain looking to regain its footing: Jamba Juice is also struggling to get its mojo back. In addition to its recently introduced oatmeal and licensed supermarket products, the smoothie giant will also unveil a new menu of food items.

Jamba's new menu will contain food items such as wraps, salads, and flatbreads, and will debut next week in California, with stores in the rest of the country following over the year.

The ready-made wraps include Asian-Style Chicken, Chimichurri Chicken, Gobble'licious Turkey, Greek Goddess, and Grains and Greens for vegans, and two salads, Caesar the Day, and Couscous Produce. All wraps and salads will retail at $5.50.

In addition, Jamba is also installing turbo ovens in stores for new baked-to-order California Flatbreads, which will come in four flavors: Four Cheesy ($3.50), Smokehouse Chicken, Tomo Artichoko, and MediterraneYum ($3.75). The company is also adding iced tea beverages and fruit-tea infusions in exotic flavors like prickly pear, passion fruit, and pomegranate. All will be made without high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.

In times when money's tight and people are more health conscious than ever, smoothies have seemingly fallen by the wayside. Because they're not filling enough - yet often have the calories - to be a meal, these fruity frosties have never played a part in my everyday routine. While it's a risky move for the chain, I could see how its on-the-go options might be appealing. Would you buy food at Jamba Juice?

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Restaurants, Suffering From Poor Turnout, Look to Retail

YumSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:50:38 -0700

These days, chain restaurants are looking for any way to eke out a profit, from offering cheaper steaks to haggling with customers. But given the economic downturn, many are no longer expecting to fill tabletops at dinner - instead, they're counting on customers at the grocery store. Restaurants from Jamba Juice to California Pizza Kitchen and even Tony Roma's plan to introduce new licensed food products in the next year. Yesterday, Starbucks unveiled its new Super-Premium Ice Cream. The new line of ice cream, created in partnership with Unilever, is inspired by coffeehouse drinks with flavors like caramel macchiato and java chip.

Healthy drink chain Jamba Juice has been sorting through production and logistics on a ready-to-drink smoothie made by Nestle that will be carried in convenience stores in addition to supermarkets. Certain chains that already have licensed, branded items in grocery stores are looking to aggressively expand them. California Pizza Kitchen recently introduced flatbread sandwiches made in partnership with Kraft, and the company plans to expand its product line. Rib specialist Tony Roma's is also broadening its line of heat-and-serve meals beyond baby back ribs to include pulled pork, pot roast, and other items.

Since consumers are dining out less and eating in more, it makes perfect sense for restaurants to move in this direction, but if the past is any indicator, I've found licensed food products are usually nothing but a letdown. Do you feel the same way? Could you see this being the moneymaker for restaurant chains this year?

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Taste Test: Jamba Juice Oatmeal

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:30:38 -0700

Because I had a coupon to try Jamba Juice's new oatmeal for a buck, and because Monday in San Francisco started with a serious chill, I decided to mix up my usual cold cereal routine and try this warm treat for a change.

Jamba has been advertising this organic oatmeal generously in its storefronts, and the photos of creamy oats topped with fruit enticed me. You can choose from apple-cinnamon, blueberry-blackberry, or banana, all enhanced with "brown sugar crumble."

As you can tell, the genuine article (at right) didn't exactly match Jamba Juice's description or the photos. To see what it's supposed to look like, and to hear what I thought, read more.

Below, is how the oatmeal is pictured online: a nice little cup of oatmeal, topped with a dollop of seemingly fresh fruit and sprinkled with crumbly brown sugar. But rather than a crumble, I got what looked like brown sugar served with a melon baller - and way too much of it.

The fruit, which I mistakenly assumed would be fresh, was actually a jam-like fruit compote better suited to a cobbler. It was somewhat gelatinous and also quite sugary; now I understand why this oatmeal is 280 to 290 calories, something that perplexed me at first. Though the banana version uses fresh fruit, the apple-cinnamon topping is also a premade "compote."

Too bad, because the oatmeal itself was good: nutty and chewable and rich in earthy flavor. But it was hard to taste with the mixed berry goo invading from the top. I'd much rather have the oatmeal on its own, or topped with real fruit. It was definitely better than instant oatmeal, and the hearty portion kept me full, but I don't know that it was worth $3. Good thing I only paid a buck.

Jamba Juice Testing Organic To Go Food Items

partysugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:11 -0800

Smoothie chain Jamba Juice is teaming up with Organic To Go to test out a new line of organic food products. In an effort to boost sales, Jamba Juice is considering adding Organic To Go branded items - grab and go salads, sandwiches, wraps, cookies, and yogurt parfaits - to their already existing menu of classic fruit smoothies. The testing will take place in three West Coast stores in Los Angeles and Orange County, CA, and Bellevue, WA. If the test is successful, the partnership will expand to all of Jamba Juice's 749 stores nationwide. Steven Berrard, CEO of Jamba Juice, explains the affiliation:

We’re excited about the possibilities of this test. Our partnership with Organic To Go provides Jamba customers organic and natural food that supports their growing desire for a healthy lifestyle.

The news comes as no surprise as fast food chains across the country scramble to deal with the declining economy. I'll be curious to check out the meals, how about you?

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Tomorrow's Breakfast Free From Jamba Juice

YumSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:11:11 -0700

If you're a fan of Jamba Juice, then you might want to set your alarm a tiny bit earlier tomorrow, April 8. From opening time until 10 a.m, participating Jamba Juice locations will be giving away free breakfast.

The giveaway is to promote their new breakfast meals - have you seen them? They're like thick blended yogurts with granola on top - and will be limited to 12-oz. products including Juice, Juices, Chunk Strawberry, Granola Toppers, and Yogurt Blends. Of course it's one per customer and only available at participating locations. There may also be a bit of a line, but that's the price you'll have to pay for free.

If you're planning on headed out, be sure to find a Jamba Juice near you.

Buy One Jamba Juice Smoothie, Get One Free!

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:19:30 -0700

Sorry I didn't get this on to you sooner, but if you fancy Jamba Juice smoothies, now's your chance to get them for free. From now until July 4, 2007 you can buy one smoothie and get another for free. Just print out their coupon and take it to a participating Jamba Juice near you. Thanks to TeamSugar member GirlC for the tip!

And, in case you don't have anyone to join you (or want both smoothies for yourself), here's a little tip: Take them home and freeze them. Use cute popsicle molds and create a treat for later!

Jamba Juice

rhymeswithkenny — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:24:28 -0700

Homemade Smoothies Are Healthy, Easy, and Delicious

partysugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:15:24 -0800

Since my brother moved to Los Angeles four years ago, he's picked up many stereotypical LA attributes. He thinks driving below 80 MPH is slow, is permanently tan, and starts every morning with a smoothie.

He used to frequent Jamba Juice, but realized a homemade variation was more healthy and cost effective. When he was home for the holidays, he taught me how to make the perfect smoothie.

The first step to making a scrumptious smoothie is to be creative. Start with your favorite frozen fruit and go from there. Although many people put ice in a smoothie, my bro avoids it.

Frozen fruit works fine at keeping the smoothie cold; it ensures a thick, creamy, not watered-down texture. He buys frozen fruit in bulk from Costco and keeps his fridge stocked with a variety of juices like acai berry, pineapple, apple, and mango. Other occasional mix-ins are soy milk, acai berry smoothie packs, protein powder, or flax. To check out two of his ultimate smoothie recipes, read more.

The Basic Classic Smoothie
From Michael Sweeney

Ingredients

6 frozen strawberries*
3/4 cup plain, low-fat yogurt (feel free to substitute a flavored yogurt for plain: strawberry and blueberry work well)
1 banana
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon of honey
protein powder or flax, optional

Directions

Place the frozen strawberries in the blender. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, so they have time to thaw.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Check consistency: if too watery, add more yogurt. If too thick, add more orange juice.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Makes 1 smoothie.

*When I made this I thought I had frozen strawberries in the freezer. However I mistook them for raspberries. Instead of running to the store for frozen strawberries, I used the raspberries.

Print recipe with images | without images

The K-Gizzle
From Kevin Gigax

Ingredients

5 frozen strawberries
1/3 cup frozen blueberries
1/3 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup cranberry juice
1 banana
1 heaping tablespoon vanilla yogurt
1 tablespoon honey

Directions

Place the frozen berries in the blender. Let sit for 10-15 minutes, so they have time to thaw.
Add the remaining ingredients and blend. Check consistency: if too watery, add more yogurt. If too thick, add more orange juice.
Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Makes 1 smoothie.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Have You Ever Waited in Line for Free Food?

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 06:13:31 -0700

I tried to get a free Jamba Juice yesterday, but when I got there, the line was ridiculously long. At that point I decided that the free $4 drink wasn't worth the wait and went back to my desk. A lot of the folks at the Sugar HQ were also complaining about how long the line was, however I know several people who did end up waiting in line. This all got me wondering, have you ever waited in line for free food?

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Yummy Links: From Guinness Marmite to Wii Chocolates

YumSugar — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 13:56:41 -0800

Some people love Guinness, some people love Marmite, and then there are those that love both. Check out the limited edition Guinness Flavored Marmite - GiggleSugar
Pancakes (and crepes) don't always have to be made with milk. In fact you could even try to make crepes with wine instead. - Becks & Posh
Sometimes altering a recipe will end up in great results, other times, it ends up in a disaster. Too bad all disasters can't look as delicious as these Peppermint Rochers. - Candyblog
Ever bring homemade snacks in for your office? Be sure to read this article about food at work politics. - Serious Eats
Shhh.. don't tell but your favorite food chain might have a number of secret off-the-menu items. I mean, have you ever had a "Sourpatch Kid" at Jamba Juice? - BuzzFeed
Is there really anything tastier than a glorious perfect cheese fondue? - Simply Recipes
Want to know what to do with your plastic wii packaging? Why not make your own shaped chocolates? - GeekSugar