Wanna Juice? Getting fruity in Paris
A fresh-squeezed orange juice is standard fare at just about any Parisien bistro, but what about when you want something a little more interesting ? For juice-addicted anglophones used to seeing smoothie bars sprout up like wheatgrass in their respective countries, Paris can seem a little dry. Fortunately, some globe-trotting Parisiens picked up on the idea and decided to start their own juicy paradise in the heart of the city. The result was Wanna Juice, a bite-sized juice and smoothie bar tucked away on the equally petite Rue Saint André des Arts, founded on the idea that eating fruits and vegetables can be fun.
This is one of my favorite spots in Paris. It's not uncommon that I make the 20-minute journey into the city motivated by the thought of a pineapple basil smoothie. A cool blend of real fruit and nothing else is especially welcome on those hot August afternoons for which Paris is so well-known. Unlike other smoothie bars, Wanna Juice uses only fresh fruit ; no syrups, concentrates, sorbets and definitely no added sugars. The same goes for their soupes, salades and sandwiches, which are 100% free of preservatives and never drenched in dressing. Everything is made fresh in the morning from fruits and vegetables that arrive from the Rungis* market in the south of Paris. What can't be found fresh is often not used at all. They don't hesitate to take a smoothie off the menu if the necessary fruits –peaches in winter, for example—aren't in season. When I went for lunch this week, most of the orchard-fruit-based drinks were unavailable, like the Pink Emotion, a succulent blend of peach, strawberry, banana and orange juice. They will use frozen fruit like raspberries and blackberries in the off-season, but only when high quality produce is available. The result is a fresh and natural tasting smoothie full of the nutrients that a baguette sandwich just can't beat.
There's something for everyone at this sweet oasis, whether it's a simple strawberry smoothie (the Fraise Suprême) or an exotic concoction of mango and passionfruit (the Apasionada). The Banaçai features the Brazilian açai berry, reputed to be high in anti-oxydants (perfect for exhausted urbanites). And not only is it good for you, it's ethical, too. The company buys the açai powder** from a fair trade affiliate Sambazon, who purchase the fruit from a cooperative of 750 families in the Para region of Brazil. The final blend is a combination of açai, banana, blueberry, yogurt and apple juice.
A special category of smoothies called 'Les Recettes Magiques' are unique blends designed to provide specific nutrients should you find yourself lacking oomph. There's the 'After After,' a blend of carrot, apple, banana, ginger, yogurt and orange juice for easing hangover pains; the 'Jetlag Joker' for when you've just arrived in Paris; the 'Soft Defense' for fighting colds; and my personal favorite, the 'Fast Breakfast,' a bright blue swirl of blueberries, honey, banana, orange juice and hearty müesli. (They even have a special Valentine's Day mix the 'Kamanana Sutra'.)
If you're more of a juice purist, you'll be interested in their selection of fresh-squeezed juices (which are actually centrifuged). The 'Green Detox' is a potent brew of cucumber, watercress, mint, ginger, barley, and apple juice. They have beet juice, carrot juice, pineapple and wheat grass, among others. Of course, you can always order a simple jus d'orange pressé.
In addition to cool juices, Wanna Juice serves piping hot soup everyday. The tomato basil is a deliciously tart blend of puréed tomato and chunks of heady basil. The pumpkin coconut combination left me a little disappointed, but the tomato coconut version was a perfect balance of sweet and sour, rounding out my lunchtime meal.
If you can't choose between soup, salad or a smoothie, then get all three in the large menu for 9.50€. Though it might feel like you're drinking most of your lunch, the combination makes for a hearty meal and is well worth the price. You can also opt for one of their sandwiches in a menu. Everything is vegetarian, explains Olivier of Wanna Juice, 'because to do industrial meat or chicken doesn't correspond to our values of taste, quality and enjoyment.'°
Saint Germain and Saint André are typically busy streets, bustling with tourists, students and locals, so if I'm going for lunch, I like to get to the bar around 10h30, before the crowd lines up. Then I can relax and watch my lunch being crafted without being crowded. The only real drawback to Wanna Juice is it's small size. There's only standing space for about six people inside. There's a small counter to sit at, but if you get there during a rush, you're better off taking your goodies to the Jardin de Luxumbourg just up the road.
So, if you need a break from bread and cheese or you've been indulging in too many pastries, Wanna Juice just might be the place for you, with its generous selection of healthy and hearty fare that won't break your budget.
Note: There is another Wanna Juice at 7, rue de la Roquette near Bastille, but I have not yet visited.
*Rungis is the largest fresh produce market in the world. It is where the majority of smaller markets, resturants and other food vendors in Paris buy their wares. The 12th century market that stood in the current Les Halles eventually became what is today known as Rungis.
**Açai is sold in one of three forms for exportation: a frozen pulpe, a concentrate and a powder. The latter best preserves its healthful properties.
°My translation from the French.
