Coming from out of state, I was a bit nervous about falling into the California trap when I began at Santa Clara. Images of yoga mats, juice cleanses and a cult-like allegiance to the state worried me, and I vowed not to fall victim to it all.
So when my California native friend dragged me to Pressed Juicery, I was hesitant. She preached of fresh, colorful juice full of fruits, veggies, nutrients and all things magical and healthy. Little did I know there’s many valid reasons Californians embrace their granola rep, and Pressed Juicery is well worth all the hype.
The shop boasts an impressive number of juices (32 to be specific), and while they can often get pricey, the unique flavor combos and amazing health benefits make these juices a worthy investment.
So what makes Pressed Juicery different than other juiceries around town? One word: freeze. The fro-yo like treat has a consistency of soft-serve-meets-slurpee and is perhaps the best thing to happen to these out-of-state taste buds.
Photo by Amy Miller
However, unlike fro-yo, freeze is dairy free, made from cold-pressed juice from a mixture of fruits and vegetables. Currently, there are six flavors of freeze:
Greens: kale, spinach, romaine, parsley, cucumber, celery, apple, lemon, dates and coconut
Roots: beets, carrots, apple, lemon, ginger and dates
Citrus: orange, apple, pineapple, dates and coconut
Fruits: apple, strawberry, coconut and dates
Chocolate: cacao, almonds, dates, vanilla bean and sea salt
Vanilla: almonds, dates, vanilla bean and sea salt.
Initially I was skeptical about the idea of a vanilla flavored, ice cream impersonator with no dairy or anything to seemingly give it substance. However the dates and almonds provide the perfect consistency and texture, while still feeling light and guilt-free.
If you’re looking for something more original, the greens or roots freeze is the way to go. Like the vanilla, they maintain the light, refreshing taste but have a more sorbet-like feel. These flavors serve as the perfect intro to the world of juices because they contain the same ingredients as their juice counterparts.
A medium-sized freeze runs between $4-5 depending on toppings, which are a must. While the freeze alone is superb, adding peanut butter drizzle, or better yet, freezing cacao-nut drizzle and some fresh strawberries is the way to go.
Photo by Rachel Livengood
Pressed Juicery has become the go-to for post-class celebrations and Friday night dessert runs in part because of its accessibility at Santana Row, but also because it serves as the perfect spring/summer treat as a healthier alternative to ice cream or pizookies at BJ’s.
Sure, I might miss my friends when I leave California for the summer, but I just might miss Pressed Juicery more.