I enjoy a challenge.

It’s this personality trait that has prevented me from giving up on starting a fairytale romance with Kate Upton. I honestly believe that I bring a lot to the table (Tupperware, cutlery, restaurant quality napkins) and that it’s not out of the realm of possibility.

Yes, yes I do occasionally misspell humility. Why do you ask?

Anywho, when I was offered the opportunity to review a brand new juice bar in Surry Hills, my friends’ general response consisted of: ‘how can you possibly write an extensive review on juice?’ 

I’ve written copy for a big marketing firm. My first project was to write 700 words about corsets. CORSETS.

I think I can write about ‘How About Juice’ in Surry Hills.

(Disclaimer: I was invited to do a product review by How About Juice but the opinions are still very much my own).

Located about five minutes from Central Station, How About Juice (HAJ) is Surry Hill’s latest addition to the foodie landscape. They get fresh produce daily and use up to 60 kilograms of fruit a day.

That wasn’t a typo. SIXTY KILOGRAMS OF FRUIT A DAY. The Wiggles are keen to incorporate How About Juice into their dubstep remix of Fruit Salad out of sheer awe.

Before I get started on the beverages, I have to tell you the origin story relayed to me by the brain trust behind HAJ. The owners of HAJ are also the group behind Well Connected Cafe in Glebe. One day, they were discussing what they should do next and someone said:

‘How about juice?’

BOOM!

The menu is an eclectic mix of everybody’s favourite fruits with a twist. The names range from Red Ranger (it’s morphin time), sunrise (great way to start the day) and green lips (also known as what happens when you accidentally take Shrek’s lip gloss). You can also request your own unique combinations and they’ll make it for you as long as they have the ingredients. Sadly, my request for a fried chicken smoothie couldn’t be made.

I decided to start with the Red Ranger. Five year old Isaac is nodding his head vigorously; please don’t tell him it actually doesn’t involve me becoming a power ranger.

Full disclosure: I am not a juice connoisseur and there have been times in which I prefer concentrate over the fresh stuff. Before visiting HAJ, I asked a friend of mine who used to work in a juice bar what they key to nice juice was. Her response was:

‘Fresh ingredients are good. I can’t believe you prefer concentrate, you won’t after this.’

She knows me so well.

I was sceptical at first due to the fact that I very rarely have beetroot outside of a burger. This turned out to be a hit with me and the beetroot wasn’t an overpowering ingredient. The orange tang was consistent throughout the beverage and combined very well with its citrus brethren in the form of lime.

I pretty much finished the entire cup when they urged me to try some more.

Don’t mind if I do.

I don’t plan parties any more for a lot of reasons but the biggest one is I tended to get really upset over all the people that couldn’t make it. I’ve since learned to just focus on everyone that is able to attend and to just enjoy myself.

Why the random tangent? Well, it is iFat.

Also, Honey Bunny proved to be my favourite drink even though the honey flavour really didn’t reveal itself. The banana was the dominant flavour and the whole smoothie just worked so well for me. This would make a great lunch substitute if you were battling a tooth ache or just on a burger detox like I currently am (it’s been a week, ok?).

I’m not a health nut; I’m more of a nutty professor minus the professor part. However, I’m very much aware of the explosion in popularity of kale. It’s a staple in every green smoothie and is spoken in almost reverential tones by all fitness folks. Throwing it in a smoothie with sweet fruit is probably the best way to consume it which is exactly how HAJ chooses to use it. It goes for an even more nutritious approach by throwing some spinach in there as well.

I never thought I’d get a full stomach from juice and smoothies but here we are.

Oh, there’s more? Oh man, someone call me a cab so I can get back to work.

On my trip to New York, the closest I came to ordering a salad was when I ate a plate of deep fried chicken wings with a little carrot on the side.

Yeah, it wasn’t my healthiest hour. Then again, I didn’t encounter a salad like HAJ’s pumpkin & rocket salad in New York. This might be my go-to salad from here on out. It features a unique balsamic/honey dressing that is made in house that is just absolute bliss. Then you combine that with the natural pepper punch that rocket offers and pumpkin? You’ve got a hand full of aces.

I was about to keel over but I sampled a little of the tuna salad as well. The chunky presentation is iFat approved and all the ingredients contributed strongly to its overall greatness. It’s pretty much the opposite of all the backup singers from the Pussycat Dolls.

Here’s the TL; DR for everyone that accused me of juicing during the Tour de France:

– So, how about juice? Heh.

– Any of the juice choices would be a great coffee substitute to start the day.

– I can’t wait ’til I ask someone to get me a honey bunny and they respond with ‘what’s your favourite mail order bride website?’

How About Juice, Surry Hils

38 Reservoir Street, Surry Hills (five minutes away from Central, off Elizabeth Street).

Opening Hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:30 am – 5:00pm

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