Fun, Fresh and Flavourful

In recent years, a new type of business has appeared in many areas. When you walk through your local shopping district, you may even pass two or three of these popular establishments. They can usually be identified by their shiny counters, behind which gleam an array of fruits and vegetables. Of course, the type of business we are referring to is none other than a juice bar.

You have probably visited a juice bar yourself. However, for readers who haven’t heard of this trend, a brief explanation may be necessary. The concept behind a juice bar is straightforward. Indeed, it might be their simplicity that has made them such a success. A juice bar is a business that focuses solely on fresh fruit juices and smoothies. Carrot and orange is a classic no-frills recipe. At the opposite end of the spectrum, it is possible to savour drinks with a much wider range of ingredients. For instance, you can order beverages made with spinach, beetroot, or even courgette.

“I stop off for a fresh fruit juice every day on my way to work,” says Hannah Lawrence. “For a long time I was hooked on a tangy cranberry recipe, but recently I decided to branch out. Now I try a new juice at least once per week.” Hannah’s friend, John Haynes, agrees. “ I tend to go for drinks with ginger, because they help me to wake up in the morning.”

Business analyst Jessica Sanders has been studying juice bars for several years. “Millennials are very concerned about nutrition,” Ms. Sanders explains. “Drinking fruit juice on a regular basis is an easy way to improve your diet.” Yet her research has shown that people’s desire for a healthy lifestyle is not the only factor at work. Instead, it seems that economic changes over the last few decades have played a role in juice bars’ success. “We live in a world where we are always on the go. Juice bars allow us to get up and out quickly, without having to worry about how we will get our energy.”

It is hard to pinpoint when the first juice bar opened, but it is generally agreed that these shops really took off in the 1990s. At first, the market was dominated by large chains. Then, when it became clear that juice bars were a good business model, small independent stores began to open as well. This is because juice bars are easy to set up. In terms of equipment, all you need is a blender. Meanwhile, a modest investment will buy more than enough produce to see you through your first month.

By some estimates, more than 10,000 juice bars are currently operating worldwide. In the future this number expected to grow, as people’s interest in fresh, local produce shows no sign of going away. Juice tastes best when it is made from local products, meaning that the industry’s carbon footprint is small. Thus, in addition to their health benefits and convenience, juice bars are also good for the planet.

If you’ve never visited a juice bar, now is as good a time as any. Once you’ve enjoyed one of their tasty beverages, you’ll wonder how you managed without these handy little shops.