Both Orange Julius and smoothies are blended fruit drinks, but there are some key differences between the two. In this article, we’ll explore the history, ingredients, nutrition, and taste profiles of Orange Julius drinks versus smoothies to understand what sets them apart.
The History of Orange Julius
Orange Julius traces its origins back to 1926 when Julius Freed opened his first orange juice stand in Los Angeles, California. Freed’s stand sold freshly squeezed orange juice for 5 cents a glass. At the time, orange juice was still a novelty beverage that wasn’t widely available or consumed.
In 1929, Freed came up with the idea to combine orange juice with an egg white and cream to create a frothy, creamy beverage. He dubbed his new concoction “Orange Julius” and began selling it at his stands. The combination of tart, vibrant orange flavor and rich, creamy texture was a big hit.
Over the next few decades, Orange Julius slowly grew into a national franchise. By the 1950s, there were more than 100 Orange Julius outlets across the country. The growth of quick service restaurants like McDonald’s and fast food drive-thrus increased the popularity of Orange Julius as a portable, refreshing drink.
In 1987, Orange Julius was acquired by International Dairy Queen. Under Dairy Queen’s ownership, the brand expanded to become a staple at malls and shopping centers across America in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, there are still over 500 Orange Julius stores across the country serving up their signature frothy orange drink.
The Origins and Evolution of Smoothies
Smoothies also originated in the 1920s and 1930s as “fruit smoothes,” an offshoot of old-fashioned milkshakes. Smoothies back then were made by blending up fresh fruit with cream and milk.
Over the following decades, smoothies remained a niche health food and dessert item. They were primarily sold at juice bars and health food stores and made from simple ingredients like fruit, milk, honey, and ice.
Smoothies began to take off in popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, paralleling the rising interest in healthy, natural foods. During this time, the basic formula evolved to include yogurt, juice, ice, and other additions like whey protein powder or nutritional supplements.
The opening of specialty smoothie shops like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King in the 1990s and early 2000s helped drive smoothies into the mainstream. They became widely viewed as a quick, nutritious meal replacement or snack. Today, smoothies are ubiquitous at cafes, juice bars, and coffee shops across the country.
Key Ingredients in Orange Julius Drinks
The key ingredients that give Orange Julius its signature taste are:
- Orange juice – Freshly squeezed orange juice provides the tangy citrus flavor.
- Vanilla ice cream or yogurt – This gives Orange Julius its creamy texture and sweetness.
- Milk – Milk adds extra creaminess and nutrition.
- Sweetener – Granulated sugar or simple syrup sweetens the blend.
- Egg whites – When whisked, the egg whites incorporate air to give Orange Julius its frothy topping.
- Ice – Ice is needed to blend everything together and give the drink a thick, cold consistency.
Modern versions of the Orange Julius also include vitamin C powder and other nutrients. Some locations use vanilla yogurt rather than ice cream for a slightly lighter and more nutritious take.
Typical Ingredients in Smoothies
Smoothies are highly customizable, but most follow a basic formula that includes:
- Fruit – Bananas, berries, pineapple, and stone fruits are commonly used smoothie fruits.
- Liquid – The liquid base is usually a juice, milk, nut milk, yogurt, or water.
- Sweetener – Honey, agave, maple syrup, or sugar are added to balance acidity and add sweetness.
- Seeds, nuts or nut butters – These are added for healthy fats, protein, and thickness.
- Ice – Ice is needed to achieve the right chilled temperature and texture.
- Boosters – Whey or plant-based protein powders, nutritional supplements, herbs, and spices can be added as boosters.
Beyond the base, smoothies can also contain greens like spinach or kale, oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, coffee, and pretty much any other additional ingredients you can dream up!
Nutritional Profile
Both Orange Julius and smoothies pack more nutritional power than sodas, coffee drinks, and other blended beverages. However, their specific nutrition depends heavily on the exact recipe.
A small 12oz Orange Julius made with reduced fat ice cream contains about:
- 230 calories
- 36g sugar
- 4g protein
- 260mg calcium
- 190mg potassium
It also provides around 120% of your daily vitamin C needs.
A typical 12oz strawberry banana smoothie may contain:
- 250 calories
- 45g sugar
- 5g protein
- 20% calcium
- 25% vitamin C
Smoothies have high variability though. Adding ingredients like spinach, chia seeds, protein powder or coconut milk can provide fiber, protein, essential fatty acids, and other valuable nutrients.
Overall, both Orange Julius and smoothies are significantly more nutritious than soda or heavily sweetened coffee drinks. But moderation is still key given their high sugar content.
Taste and Texture
Orange Julius has a distinct, immediately recognizable taste profile. The combination of real orange juice and rich vanilla creaminess gives it a bright citrus flavor. It’s sweet and refreshing, but also thick, creamy, and satisfying. The frothy whipped topping adds a pleasant lightness.
Smoothies encompass a much wider range of flavors. Strawberry, mixed berry, tropical fruit, and green machine smoothies taste nothing alike from each other. Smoothies showcase raw fruit flavors and tend to taste lighter and cleaner than Orange Julius. They can be customized from perfectly sweet to nutrition-packed but still palatable.
Texture also differs. Orange Julius has a thick, milkshake-like texture while smoothies are lighter and more liquid-y. Smoothie texture can vary widely though based on ingredient choices like bananas for creaminess, ice blend time, etc.
Cost Comparison
At major chains today, Orange Julius and smoothies have comparable pricing in the $4 to $6 range for a medium sized 12-16oz cup. Here are some examples:
| Beverage | Chain | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Orange Julius Original | Dairy Queen | $3.99 |
| Medium Strawberry Surf Rider Smoothie | Jamba Juice | $4.45 |
| Medium Peach Pear Berry Smoothie | Smoothie King | $5.99 |
Local cafes and juice bars may charge slightly more or less. But in general, smoothies and Orange Julius drinks tend to cost about the same. Keep in mind with smoothies there are often additional charges for protein boosters and other add-ins.
Customization
One key advantage of smoothies is their incredible versatility. While Orange Julius has just a handful of standard recipe options, smoothie possibilities are endless. Any combination of fruits, veggies, dairy, nuts, seeds, sweeteners, and boosters can be blended up.
Orange Julius offerings are largely limited to different fruit juice blends as the base. Stores may offer 4-5 preset options while smoothie chains like Jamba Juice have 30+ signature combinations plus endless customization potential.
Those looking for novelty or specific dietary needs (vegan, low-calorie, high protein, etc.) will have an easier time finding or creating a tailored smoothie versus picking an off-menu Orange Julius.
Availability
Orange Julius used to have a stronger retail presence in malls and shopping centers in the 80s and 90s. However, their footprint has shrunk over the past couple decades even after being acquired by Dairy Queen.
Today there are around 550 Orange Julius locations total, overwhelmingly clustered on the West Coast and in the Midwest. They can still be found in many malls, airports, and scattered elsewhere nationwide but have a smaller presence than chains like Jamba Juice and Smoothie King.
In contrast, smoothies are widely available and mainstream. Most coffee shops, juice bars, and even convenience stores now sell smoothies. Due to their flexibility and immense popularity, smoothies have become a menu staple nearly everywhere.
Taste Preferences
Ultimately taste preferences will determine whether someone favors the Orange Julius or smoothie experience. With its creamy vanilla soft serve base, Orange Julius has an indulgent milkshake-like quality. The orange juice gives it some freshness though.
Smoothies appeal more to those wanting a lighter, fruit-forward drink bursting with raw flavors. Their versatility also allows for healthy additions like spinach, avocado, and protein powder.
Kids, teens, and those with a sweet tooth may gravitate towards Orange Julius. Adults focused on health and low sugar may prefer a made-to-order smoothie tailored to their dietary wants.
Use Cases
For some quick comparisons:
- Orange Julius shines as a treat, snack, or dessert with its richer, creamier profile.
- Smoothies work well as a meal replacement or nutrition boost on-the-go.
- Orange Julius evokes nostalgia and has signature stand-out flavors.
- Smoothies offer endless variety and customization potential.
Both can quench thirst, satisfy a sweet craving, and deliver a quick energy boost any time of day.
Conclusion
Orange Julius and smoothies have some key differences that make them distinct choices. Orange Julius offers a one-of-a-kind creamy, dreamy, frothy orange drink experience. Smoothies provide the flexibility to create nutrient-packed drinks catered to your personal tastes and health needs.
But they also have similarities as chilled, blended fruit drinks that beat out soda and other sugary beverages. Both deliver tasty nutrition in a convenient, to-go cup. At the end of the day, it comes down to whether your cravings tilt more towards stripes of orange goodness or fruit smoothie flavors.
