(CU Independent illustration/Sara Fossum)
Though summer may be months away, students still flock to popular smoothie joints or make their own cool treats.
Favorite smoothie shops vary among students on campus ranging from Rush to Jamba Juice and Berry Best Smoothies & Juice Bar as the top choices. Students asked ranked Jamba Juice and Rush as the two most convenient shops, as well as most pricey.
Jill Bobrick, a 21-year-old junior advertising major who works at Jamba Juice, said it’s hard to say what customers’ favorites are because they have so many flavors.
“Caribbean Passion is popular because it’s so refreshing,” Bobrick said. “Ideal Meals, like Chunky Strawberry [Topper] are popular. I don’t make many smoothies at home because fruit is expensive and we get 50 percent off at work.”
Scott Ruggiero, a 19-year-old sophomore and architecture major who works at Rush, said the difference with Rush is that they use all-natural juices.
“All the fruit is flash-frozen — right after the fruit is picked its frozen,” Ruggiero said. “We strive for all-organic ingredients; we even try to use gluten-free ingredients.”
Some students said they prefer to make their own smoothies at home because it’s cheaper than buying them. Amanda Woods, an 18-year-old freshman philosophy major, said she prefers making her own smoothies.
“Starbucks has some smoothies and they’re expensive, but I like them,” Woods said. “I make my own at home, and protein smoothies are always delicious. Although I don’t know many places with wheatgrass.”
Price seems to be a major factor when students are choosing smoothie shops.
“I don’t know any cheap smoothie places in Boulder,” Woods said. “Especially when it says organic—the price increases 5 percent.”
Prices for a smoothie at Jamba Juice range from $3.40 to $5.60. At Rush a smoothie costs $5.25 and a bowl $6.35.
Instead of purchasing a smoothie, many students say they make their own. Ruggiero said the key to making a smoothie at home is to use easy-to-blend ingredients.
“Get a juice you like, and a good fruit that is easy to blend; yogurt and ice are always good, too,” Ruggiero said. “I’m a picky eater so I go with lemonade, strawberries, berries, ice and honey. I add supplements if I’m feeling sick.”
Alissa Meeks is a senior at Boulder High School, who is writing for the CU Independent as part of a high school journalism workshop the CU Independent hosted on Feb. 26 and 27.
Contact CU Independent Entertainment Editor Adrian Kun on behalf of Alissa Meeks at Adrian.kun@colorado.edu.
