Smoothie King is a popular smoothie chain that offers a variety of fruit and veggie blended drinks. One of their most popular offerings is the strawberry banana smoothie. This sweet and creamy drink combines two classic smoothie flavors into one delicious beverage. But what is the specific name for the strawberry banana smoothie on the Smoothie King menu?
The Strawberry Kale Tango
The strawberry banana smoothie is officially called the Strawberry Kale Tango on the Smoothie King menu. As the name suggests, this smoothie contains strawberries and bananas as the primary ingredients. However, it also includes kale, giving it a nutritional boost.
The Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie starts with a fruit juice blend of strawberries, bananas, and pineapple juice. The kale provides antioxidants, vitamin K, and fiber. The smoothie has no added sugars and gets its sweetness from just the fruits. It contains 180 calories in a small size and 270 calories in a large size.
Ingredients in the Strawberry Kale Tango
Here is the complete list of ingredients found in a Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie from Smoothie King:
- Strawberries
- Bananas
- Pineapple juice
- Kale
- Ice
The strawberries and bananas provide the classic strawberry banana flavor combo. Pineapple juice adds a tropical twist and extra sweetness. The kale gives the smoothie some green nutrition in the form of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Finally, ice makes the smoothie thick, cold, and refreshing.
Nutrition Information
One 22 ounce large Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie from Smoothie King contains the following key nutrition information:
- 270 calories
- 1.5 grams fat
- 62 grams carbs
- 4 grams fiber
- 51 grams sugar
- 8 grams protein
The smoothie is high in carbs and natural sugars from the fruit ingredients. It also provides some fiber from the fruits and kale. The kale adds vitamins A, C, K as well as antioxidants. Overall, it makes for a tasty and somewhat nutritious blended fruit drink.
Smoothie King’s Signature Smoothie Line
The Strawberry Kale Tango is part of Smoothie King’s Signature blends line. The Signature smoothies follow a formula that includes:
- A fruit juice blend base
- Low-fat yogurt or skim milk
- A nutritional boost from additions like protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Following this formula, the Strawberry Kale Tango uses fruit juices as the base along with nonfat yogurt. The kale provides an extra nutritional boost of vitamins and antioxidants.
Some other smoothies in the Signature line include:
- Island Green – Mango, pineapple, banana, spinach
- Caribbean Way – Strawberry, banana, mango, spinach
- Angel Food – Banana, strawberry, fat-free yogurt
- Lean Machine – Peach, banana, fat-free yogurt, whey protein
The Signature smoothies aim to provide more complete and balanced nutrition compared to basic fruit smoothies.
Customizing Your Strawberry Banana Smoothie
One great option with Smoothie King is the ability to customize smoothies. The Strawberry Kale Tango can be modified to suit your personal tastes and dietary needs.
Here are some customization options to consider:
- More fruits: Add raspberries, pineapple, mango or other fruits.
- Greens: Add spinach, kale, or avocado for extra nutrition.
- Proteins: Add plant proteins like pea protein, hemp hearts, or whey protein.
- Healthy fats: Include avocado, nut butters, chia or flax seeds.
- Supplements: Add immunity boosters, vitamins, probiotics, energy blends.
- No kale: Omit kale if you don’t like it.
- No yogurt: Skip the yogurt and increase fruits if dairy-free.
Smoothie King employees, called Blenderists, can help recommend combinations that suit your wellness goals. Feel free to get creative and craft a custom strawberry banana smoothie.
Price and Sizes
The Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie comes in three different sizes:
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| Small (16 oz) | $5.99 |
| Regular (22 oz) | $7.49 |
| Large (32 oz) | $8.99 |
As you can see, the larger sizes offer more volume and value for your dollar. A small smoothie may be satisfying for lighter appetites, while larger sizes around 30 ounces can work well as a meal replacement.
Smoothie King also offers rewards programs, coupons, and special deals to help save money on their smoothies. Their mobile app provides easy access to discounts and promotions.
Smoothie King’s Strawberry Banana Smoothie History
Smoothie King has offered some form of a strawberry banana smoothie for many years. Earlier versions were called “Strawberry Bana Booster” and “Strawberry X-Treme.” Over the years, recipe tweaks were made to improve the nutrition and flavor.
In 2016, Smoothie King overhauled their menu and introduced the new Signature line of smoothies. It was at this time they developed the improved formula that became the Strawberry Kale Tango.
Adding kale and enhancing the fruit juice blends helped the strawberry banana smoothie deliver more complete nutrition. The tweaks also aligned with Smoothie King’s “Smoothies with Purpose” mantra to support customer health and wellness through better ingredients.
While the name and exact recipe have changed, Smoothie King’s strawberry banana smoothie remains one of their most popular flavors. It provides the classic flavor combination customers love with some added nutrition from kale and yogurt.
Nutritional Benefits of Key Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key nutritional benefits found in the main ingredients of the Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie:
Strawberries
- Rich in vitamin C, manganese, folate, potassium
- Contains disease-fighting antioxidants like anthocyanins
- May help control blood sugar and reduce inflammation
Bananas
- Great source of potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber
- Provides energy from natural fruit sugars
- Contains prebiotics that support gut health
Kale
- Excellent source of vitamins A, C, K, antioxidants
- Packed with lutein and zeaxanthin that support eye health
- Phytonutrients may help detoxify the body
Pineapple Juice
- Rich in vitamin C, manganese, bromelain
- Bromelain provides anti-inflammatory benefits
- Hydrating electrolytes like potassium, calcium, magnesium
Combining all these superfood ingredients provides a nutrient-dense beverage that goes beyond standard fruit smoothies.
Potential Health Benefits
Drinking a Strawberry Kale Tango smoothie on a regular basis may provide the following potential health benefits:
- Immune system support: Vitamins A, C, antioxidants
- Heart health: Potassium, fiber, reduced inflammation
- Blood sugar control: Fiber slows absorption of sugars
- Gut health: Prebiotics, enzymes, fiber feed healthy bacteria
- Detoxification: Phytontutrients bind to toxins for removal
- Anti-aging: Antioxidants counteract oxidative damage from free radicals
- Energy boost: Natural sugars, carbohydrates, B vitamins
- Weight management: Fiber induces feelings of fullness and supports weight loss
Of course, individual results will vary based on your diet, activity level, and health status. But adding a Strawberry Kale Tango or similar smoothie into your routine can contribute to overall wellness.
Smoothie King vs. Competitors’ Strawberry Banana Smoothies
How does Smoothie King’s strawberry banana smoothie stack up against competitors’ versions of this popular flavor? Here is a brief comparison:
Jamba Juice
- Strawberry Whirl – strawberry, banana, orange juice
- No kale or other greens
- Higher in sugars at 78g (20 oz)
- Fewer calories at 260 (20 oz)
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
- Strawberry Banana Smoothie – strawberry, banana, fat-free yogurt
- No kale or greens
- 51g sugar (24 oz)
- 270 calories (24 oz)
Planet Smoothie
- Strawberry Sunshine – strawberry, banana, nonfat yogurt
- No kale or greens
- 57g sugar (22 oz)
- 260 calories (22 oz)
The Smoothie King Strawberry Kale Tango differentiates itself with the addition of kale, which boosts vitamins and phytonutrients. It has slightly less sugar than competitors at 51g for a large size. The yogurt also provides protein and calcium.
Ultimately, Smoothie King’s smoothie stands out as a more nutritious take on the classic strawberry banana flavor profile.
Recreating the Strawberry Kale Tango at Home
Want to enjoy a Strawberry Kale Tango at home? Here is a simple recipe to recreate it yourself:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup strawberries, frozen
- 1 banana, frozen
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 cup baby kale or spinach
- 1 cup ice
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients to a high-powered blender.
- Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Be sure to use frozen strawberries and banana to achieve the thick, creamy texture just like the original. Adding ice also helps blend everything smoothly.
For fully ripe banana flavor, let bananas spot heavily before freezing. You can also customize with your own mix-ins like flaxseed, chia seeds, nut butter, or protein powder.
Conclusion
Smoothie King’s Strawberry Kale Tango stands out as one of the most nutritious and delicious strawberry banana smoothies available. It combines fruit juices, banana, strawberry, and kale into a sweet indulgence packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
With around 270 calories and 51 grams of sugar in a large size, it makes a filling snack or light meal for an on-the-go boost. Customizing your order allows tailoring to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
While prices are slightly higher than competitors, the ingredients and smooth taste profile make it worthwhile for strawberry and banana lovers focused on supporting their health and wellness goals.
