Minute Maid is a brand of fruit juices, fruit drinks and smoothies owned by The Coca-Cola Company. Minute Maid offers a variety of smoothie products including traditional fruit smoothies as well as green smoothies made with leafy greens and vegetables.
Minute Maid smoothies provide a convenient way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. They are made with real fruit purees and juices, contain no added sugars or preservatives, and are an excellent source of vitamins and antioxidants.
Some quick facts about Minute Maid Smoothies:
- Introduced in 1991 in the United States
- Offer a variety of fruit and vegetable smoothie options
- Contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- An excellent source of vitamins A, C, E
- Provide 1 full serving of fruits/veggies in each bottle
- Come in 11 oz resealable plastic bottles
- Available in grocery stores, convenience stores and vending machines
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what exactly Minute Maid Smoothies are, the different flavors and varieties available, their ingredients and nutritional value, where to buy them, and the benefits of drinking Minute Maid Smoothies.
What are Minute Maid Smoothies?
Minute Maid Smoothies are refrigerated fruit and vegetable juice smoothies made by the Coca-Cola company. They first launched in 1991 as part of Coca-Cola’s efforts to diversify into non-carbonated beverage options.
The smoothies are made with real fruit juices and purees, contain no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and provide an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals. They aim to provide a convenient, healthy option for busy consumers looking to get more nutrition into their diets.
The Minute Maid smoothie line includes both fruit-based and vegetable-based options. The fruit smoothies feature refreshing blends of juices and purees from fruits like strawberries, oranges, apples, and bananas. The vegetable smoothies feature nutrient-rich greens like spinach, kale, and pineapple or carrot juice.
The smoothies come pre-bottled in 11oz resealable plastic bottles, keeping them chilled and ready for on-the-go drinking. They can be found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores, convenience stores, vending machines, cafeterias, and other retailers.
Minute Maid Smoothie Flavors
Minute Maid offers a wide variety of fruit and vegetable smoothie flavors to suit any taste. Their smoothie lineup includes:
Fruit Smoothie Flavors:
- Strawberry Banana
- Orange Pineapple
- Mango Pineapple
- Raspberry
- Cherry Berry
- Wild Berry
- Tropical Fruit
The fruit smoothies feature refreshing blends of strawberries, mangos, pineapples, raspberries, cherries, and other mixed berries. They provide a tasty way to get in servings of fruits like oranges, bananas, and pineapple.
Vegetable Smoothie Flavors:
- Greens & Ginger
- Greens & Berry
- Carrot Apple Greens
- Mango Carrot Greens
The vegetable smoothies blend sweet fruits like mangos, apples, and berries with leafy greens like spinach, kale, parsley, and zucchini. Popular ingredients include carrots, ginger, and pineapple juice.
Minute Maid rotates seasonal and limited-edition flavors as well. Some examples of past limited-time smoothies include Blood Orange Mango, Strawberry Dragonfruit, and Triple Berry.
Minute Maid Smoothie Ingredients
Minute Maid Smoothies are made with the following simple, natural ingredients:
- Fruit purees – for fruit smoothies, purees and juices from oranges, apples, bananas, strawberries, etc.
- Vegetable purees – for veggie smoothies, purees from spinach, kale, zucchini, carrots, etc.
- Fruit juices – juices from oranges, pineapples, apples, etc.
- Filtered water
- Natural flavors
- Vitamin C
- Dietary fiber
- Vitamin E
Key ingredients in Minute Maid Smoothies:
Fruit and Vegetable Purees – The smoothies get their thick, smooth texture from fruit and vegetable purees. Purees are made by processing whole fruits/veggies into a thick, creamy paste. They provide nutrients, fiber and flavor.
Fruit Juices – To enhance the flavor and nutrition of the smoothies, additional fruit juices like orange, pineapple and apple juice are added. This boosts the vitamin and mineral content.
Nutrient Fortification – Minute Maid smoothies contain added vitamin C, vitamin E and dietary fiber. This nutritionally fortifies the smoothies.
Natural Flavors – Small amounts of natural fruit flavors are used to enhance the fruit taste and aroma.
Filtered Water – The smoothies contain filtered water blended with the fruit and veggie ingredients.
Nutritional Value
Minute Maid Smoothies provide an excellent source of important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Key nutrients include:
- Vitamin C – An antioxidant that supports immune health. Smoothies contain 100% DV vitamin C.
- Vitamin A – Important for healthy vision and cell growth. 10-15% DV per bottle.
- Vitamin E – An antioxidant that protects cells from damage. Smoothies contain 45% DV vitamin E.
- Potassium – Helps maintain normal fluid balance and blood pressure. 10-15% DV.
- Dietary Fiber – Improves digestive health and heart health. Smoothies provide 5 grams per bottle.
- Antioxidants – From fruits/veggies. Help neutralize harmful free radicals.
In addition to vitamins, minerals and antioxidants – the smoothies provide phytonutrients, protein and carbohydrates from the whole fruit and vegetable ingredients.
They are fat-free, cholesterol free and low sodium. The fruit smoothies contain 90-110 calories per bottle while the veggie smoothies contain 60-80 calories.
Benefits of Minute Maid Smoothies
Here are some of the top benefits of drinking Minute Maid Smoothies:
1. Convenient Nutrition
Minute Maid Smoothies provide an easy way to increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables. Each 11 oz bottle contains one full serving.
2. Antioxidants & Phytonutrients
Smoothies provide a rich supply of antioxidants like Vitamins C and E plus phytonutrients that can help neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation.
3. Supports Immunity
The 100% daily value of Vitamin C in each smoothie helps boost immunity and prevent illness.
4. Aids Digestion
The fiber content helps promote regularity and improve digestive health. Fiber also helps you feel full.
5. Heart Health
The potassium and fiber content supports healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
6. Hydration
Smoothies help you rehydrate after exercise or on hot summer days. Most contain 80-90% water.
7. Energy Boost
Smoothies provide an energizing kick from all the carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and natural sugars.
8. Good Source of Protein
While not high protein, smoothies contain 2-3 grams of protein from the yogurt and fruit/veggie ingredients.
9. Bone Health
The calcium and vitamin D (in yogurt containing smoothies) helps build and maintain strong bones.
10. Satisfying Snack or Light Meal
Smoothies can tide you over as a filling snack or light breakfast/lunch. The 11oz size is perfect for one serving.
Where to Buy Minute Maid Smoothies
Minute Maid Smoothies can be purchased at the following locations:
- Grocery stores – Found in the refrigerated juice section. Sold in multi-packs.
- Convenience stores – Sold chilled in individual bottles. Look in the cooler section.
- Vending machines – Available in 11oz plastic bottles in vending machines in schools, workplaces and other locations.
- Cafeterias & Fast Food – Sold in schools, workplace cafeterias, fast food chains, amusement parks and other dining establishments.
- Online – Can be purchased online from grocery delivery services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh.
Minute Maid Smoothies are sold across the United States as well as in select international markets. Check with your local supermarket, convenience store, vending machine or cafeteria to find Minute Maid Smoothies near you.
Cost of Minute Maid Smoothies
On average, Minute Maid Smoothies cost:
- $1.00 to $2.00 for an individual 11oz bottle from convenience stores, vending machines or cafeterias
- $3.50 to $6.00 for a multi-pack of 6 to 12 bottles from grocery stores
Online prices may be slightly higher. Sales, coupons and club store prices can often lower the cost.
Overall Minute Maid Smoothies are competitively priced compared to other refrigerated juice smoothies and bottled beverages. Their convenience and nutrient density make them a smart buying choice for an on-the-go snack or light meal.
How to Store Minute Maid Smoothies
To maintain safety and quality, follow these storage guidelines:
- Keep refrigerated at all times. Do not freeze.
- Store unopened bottles in the back of the refrigerator, away from the door.
- Consume within 5-7 days of opening.
- Check “best by” date on the bottle.
- Wash bottle before recycling.
The cold temperature keeps the smoothies fresh and safe to drink. Be sure to refrigerate promptly after purchasing and consuming opened bottles within a week.
Tips for Enjoying Minute Maid Smoothies
Here are some tips for incorporating Minute Maid Smoothies into your routine:
- Breakfast – Have a smoothie to start your day off right. The carbohydrates provide energy.
- Snack – Keep a few smoothies chilled for a nutritious afternoon snack.
- Lunchbox – Pack a Minute Maid Smoothie in your child’s lunch for school.
- Post-Workout – Refuel with a smoothie which contains electrolytes.
- On-the-Go – Grab a bottle for your commute to work or road trips.
- Office Drink – Enjoy a smoothie break at work instead of soda.
Smoothies can be enjoyed on their own or paired with fruits, vegetables, nuts or a light sandwich for a complete meal. Get creative withsmoothie bowls, popsicles and parfaits too.
Bottom Line
In summary, Minute Maid Smoothies provide a simple, nutritious way to drink more fruits and veggies. They are made from real fruit and vegetable purees, fortified with vitamins and minerals, and contain no artificial ingredients. With refreshing fruity flavors and convenient on-the-go bottles, Minute Maid Smoothies make it easy to get more nutrition into your daily diet. So next time you’re grocery shopping or looking for a quick snack or light meal, consider grabbing a Minute Maid Smoothie.