The Juice is Running: Beaucoup Juice

As you walk into the bubbly painted shop on Freret Street you can not help but feel engulfed in the spirit of New Orleans.  A brightly painted mural of the city lines one wall and prints from local artists and photographers hang overhead on the others.  Beaucoup Juice is a snowball shop.  Beaucoup Juice is a juice bar.  Beaucoup Juice is a smoothie haven.

Snowballs

This is not your typical New Orleans style snowball shop.  Of course you have your basic flavors such as cherry and peach, but also on the menu are mango chili and pineapple mint.  The thing that sets these snowballs apart is the juice, all of which is made from locally grown produce, purchased at various farmers markets.  Beaucoup offers a delicious and healthy treat without all of the preservatives and corn syrup.  Beaucoup also does “adult snowballs” on occasion blending juices and snow with your favorite spirits.

Juices

All freshly made at the shop.  Many fruits come from the local farmers markets around the city.  Beaucoup can blend any flavors you would like into a delicious and healthy treat.  Ask for the carrot/ginger!

Smoothies

Proprietor Williams concocts these culinary masterpieces ranging from simple and delicious to extravagant and luscious.  The most popular smoothie is The Tipitina (or The Local) - combines local peaches and strawberries with banana, honey and soymilk.  Insider tip (the smoothies are out of this world-best in the city hands down.)  I had a fresh blueberry smoothie.  The bright purple delicacy was so smooth and flavorful I had to order another just to satisfy my taste buds!

**Breaking news for those readers who are craving the fermented tea known as Kombucha**

Beaucoup has it stocked and ready to serve! 

For those of us who don’t know what kombucha is here’s a crash course:

-Kombucha is a fermented beverage made from black tea and sugar.  It is said to have many healing properties including:

• aid cancer recovery
• increase in energy
• improve eyesight
• aid in joint recovery
• improve skin elasticity
• aid digestion

 It is said to have been first consumed by the royal Qin Dynasty circa 200 BC.  Since then it has been bounced around Asia and Europe and found its way to prominence in the U.S. about 15 years ago.  Most recently the popular brands carried by local grocery stores have been pulled off of the shelves because of trace amounts of alcohol being found in the tea.  Williams asserts that his shop is “…probably the only store selling kombucha right now”.  Just another reason to swing by 4719 Freret St!

The Mantra of Beaucoup is simply to bring fresh local juices, snowballs and smoothies to anyone living in or visiting our great city.  So the next time you feel that sweat run down your back from the stifling heat of summer in New Orleans head on over to Beaucoup Juice and taste a delicious and healthy juice or smoothie.