Starbucks' Vivanno Vs. Jamba Juice Smoothies
Starbucks had new signage today welcoming the Vivanno. As explained yesterday, it's a nutritious answer to the indulgent Frappuccino, with only 250 calories for the 16-ounce Orange Mango Banana flavor, and 270 calories for the Banana Chocolate. Are they worth it? Fewer calories than a Jamba Juice smoothie or a Frappuccino, but they're gross.
Banana Chocolate
After tasting one spoonful of the Banana Chocolate, Ed Levine compared it to milk of magnesia. Yum! Chewable tablets that relieve heartburn! Watery, with fake chocolate powder undertones, this isn't good. The closest Jamba Juice counterpart: Peanut Butter Moo'd, minus the peanut butter part. Vanilla frozen yogurt, chocolate "Moo'd base," soy milk, ice, and frozen bananas yielded no discernible flavor, but was more drinkable than Vivanno.
A Jamba Juice staffer estimated 460 to 530 calories for this edited Peanut Butter Moo'd, about 200 to 250 more calories than the Vivanno. Either way, Starbucks and Jamba Juice are not milkshake destinations, and this is essentially a milkshake.
Orange Mango Banana
The Vivanno wasn't horrible, but Jamba Juice was the clear winner. The drink was so thick, the straw could stand—levitate really—inside the Jamba Juice cup without touching the bottom, while the Vivanno was watery. Whipping out her calculator, a Jamba Juice staffer gave us a 340 to 420 calorie range for the drink, roughly 100 to 150 more calories than the Vivanno version.
If smoothies are your thing, then continue buying them at Jamba (it's worth the extra cals), and continue buying your coffee at Starbucks. But buy your milkshakes at a milkshake store.
As far as "smoothie" nomenclature goes, Starbucks window stickers broadcast, "Today is a new smoothie," alongside sketches of fit-looking runners in short shorts. As opposed to an early report from a barista blogger after corporate training, Starbucks isn't cracking down too hard on the "don't you dare call it a smoothie" rule. Though, a barista this morning translated a few "smoothie" orders to those of "nutritious blends" behind the counter.
Have you tried the Vivanno? Is it a Viva-No way José?
Previously
Starbucks Introduces the 'Vivanno'Add a comment:
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15 Comments:
Had one this morning. It was...a watered down milkshake. I'd rather get one of their Coffee Light Fraps than get this (which has less calories). And I wouldn't even compare it to Jamba Juice...Jamba has "substance" compared to the Vivanno.
http://watkinslynn.typepad.com/pages_pucks_and_pantry/
hkydiva at 2:40PM on 07/15/08
I've tried the orange mango Vivanno. I wouldn't think they'd be substantially different between stores, but the two I've had were nowhere near watery. Both were very thick and creamy.
But yes, it feels a little weird buying a smoothie at a coffee store.
patricium at 2:56PM on 07/15/08
My main problem with the venture is the absurd pseudo-Italian names Starbucks insists on assigning to its distinctly non-Italian products. "Vivanno" sounds retarded; "venti Vivanno" is borderline tongue-twister (not that I have ever had occasion to order venti anything).
frenetica at 3:13PM on 07/15/08
@frenetics, I had the pleasure of accompanying Erin on her Vivanno-procuring outing. I learned (Erin was already up on her Vivano info) that it is only available in one size--grande.
I liked the Moo'd more than Erin (with some peanut butter, it might have achieved awesomeness!).
I'm disappointed in Starbucks. How could they butcher the classic, happy combo that is chocolate and banana?
Hannah Howard at 4:03PM on 07/15/08
I think an Orange Julius would kick the Vivanno's butt tastewise plus they have about half the calories.
milkplus at 3:25PM on 07/17/08
Okay, back again. Since some folks seem to like the new Chocolate Banana Vivanno, I figured I'd give it another try. So I tasted some of my husbands this morning (he kinda likes them with a shot of espresso-he's not sure whether he'll keep buying then but says he does prefer the Fraps).
Though this one wasn't watery, I still wasn't impressed. My honest thought with the first sip was....this tastes like a chocolate Slim-Fast. Maybe it's the powder they add?
I still love having a Starbucks but I think I'll stick with the Fraps!
hkydiva at 3:32PM on 07/17/08
I broke down and had the chocolate-banana thingy with an espresso shot this morning. After filling up the cup, half of it remained in the blender. So much for my caffeine. I'd have to rate it slightly better than chocolate milk, and certainly as something that I could make better at home. For $4.50, I'll pass.
jayfallon at 9:50AM on 07/18/08
It's the whey protein powder that is the flavor/texture/fake chocolate flavor you dislike so much. It is definitely an acquired taste. As someone who weight trains and regularly has protein shakes, I wonder if it would taste better to me. I add protein at Jamba Juice also.
My mom had one when we were at Starbucks the other day (I was just getting iced coffee), and she tried a sample and really liked it (she's difficult to please too). I didn't try it because I assumed it was just another sugary smoothie. Now that I know what it is, I think I'd actually like to try one.
GinaKina at 6:46PM on 07/20/08
I had a coupon for a free Vivanno/whatever. Tried the orange mango. Didn't like it. Too thick and milky.
Never tried a Jamba Juice smoothie but then I'm not a smoothie kind of person.
Think I'll just stick with my tall coffee with a little half and half.
paris221966 at 8:58PM on 07/20/08
In Los Angeles, some stores are also selling "Sorbettos", which are smoothies made with Pinkberry yogurt or ice. I did try the mango sorbetto (with yogurt), and it was pretty yummy, creamy, tart, and fruity. But it did feel a bit weird not ordering a coffee or frapp.
texnewmex at 2:28AM on 07/22/08
I had the Orange Mango Vivanno today with soy and 2 shots of espresso. It tasted, not like a milkshake, nor a smoothie.
I will probably do it again sometime, but I'm not salivating.
ahemahem at 5:05PM on 07/22/08
The choc-banana with espresso is delicious, but maybe that's because i went in expecting a protein shake, not a milkshake. As a protein shake, it is head and shoulders above Slim Fast shakes and the like.
nosleep at 12:10PM on 07/25/08
I actually loved the Banana Chocolate Vivanno from Starbucks. I tried the Jamba Juice equivalent and wasn't impressed. However, I do like Jamba's Chocolate Ice Cream smoothie.
JoannaRose at 9:28AM on 09/22/08
Here is a great article about saving money on your Starbucks' coffee. Check it out:
http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/13549
CollegeCandyGirl at 10:58AM on 11/03/08
I 've had the banana chocolate smoothie many times and I think it's delicious! And I think that everyone who thinks that the vivanno nourishing blends don't taste very well, I simply don't understand what they don't like about it. But, overall it's not a milkshake...it's a smoothie. And at starbucks they're trying to make it as healthy as possible. I think it's a great healthier choice to try out.
subbey775 at 4:58PM on 02/14/09