Summer crush
However, like fresh fruit, they contain sugar and acids which can damage teeth. Ideally we should swish with a mouthful of water after fruit in any form.
While some packaging suggests we can get at least one of our five a day fruit and vegetables, we would need to drink at least a quarter of a 1 litre carton for one portion. The blend is often good with red fruits mixed with other colours, providing nutrients, but just how nutritious they are after processing is difficult to ascertain.
It’s always better to blend fruit ourselves, or eat it whole to get the benefits of their fibre, and as quickly after picking as possible. However, this is not always possible, so training children to enjoy fresh tasting fruit as smoothies is a good idea, with most flavours not too sweet.
If we are watching calories we need to factor in smoothies as they can be quite high, often delivering about 200 calories in a 100ml glassful. It’s easy to clock up double in warm weather, so dilute with water or ice for thirst quenching. The vegetable juices we tasted are lighter and have far less calories due to their low sugar content, though they can taste a little less of a treat.
Made from tomatoes, carrots, beetroot, cucumber, celery, pickled cabbage and onions, this tastes like a Bloody Mary without the vodka and is lively and tasting of a light tomato purée. It could easily be served in a glass with ice and a stick of celery as a summer non-alcoholic treat. Delicious and surprisingly interesting for a blend of vegetables that is so healthy.
Full fruitiness, with lively deeply flavoured cherries contrasted nicely with the passion fruit of this new product which has a back taste of vanilla to add complexity. All tasters liked this and the combination of apple juice, aronia juice (for tartness and preservative), makes a pleasant drink. A small glassful is satisfying.
Plenty of fruity flavours here in a smooth drink with good weight, with mango the main flavour. All tasters liked it and the price. A quarter of the carton would need to be drunk — 143 calories — to achieve the two of the five daily fruit and veg portions mentioned on the pack.
Children loved these pouches which they can squeeze directly into their mouths. A two year old wanted another which we took as approval. Parents like the blend of organic bananas, apples, blackcurrants and blueberries which is quite pulpy, keeping spillages to a minimum. Nutrition-wise, there is a good mix of black fruits with the banana providing substance and sweetness. A high price for convenience but a good product.
The same height as some 1 litre packs, but skinnier, this 750ml offering costs just a little more than some other samples. The fruit combination is satisfying and tastes fresh with banana dominating. Bananas are satisfying so will keep hunger away, but are also calorific so watch quantities. All tasters happy with the product but thought the price high.
Raw rhubarb, carrot, strawberry, apple and yoghurt are blended in a smooth lightly creamy drink with strawberry as the main flavour. Not special enough for the price. In some wholefood shops.
Made with apple and orange juices, the strawberry and banana have some flavour, but not as much as other samples. Available in larger, more economical cartons too.
A smooth blend of vitamin-rich tomato, carrot, celeriac, apple, cucumber, beetroot and lemon juices, this juice is sweeter than the Rabenhorst, but tasters thought it less interesting, though they all liked it.
