Coffee, milkshake, or smoothie? Blended Nutrition & Energy’s pumpkin spice latte shake took the characteristics of all three of those classic treats and made something unique. While the taste wasn’t what I expected — sweet and sugary — it was still delicious.
In every sip, flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon jumped out. I enjoyed the taste, but I couldn’t ignore the strong undertones and unpleasant taste of protein powder left behind.
Though the drink was festive and refreshing, the ordering process was confusing, with papers to fill out noting your name and contact information. The wait for a drink was about 10 minutes after the worker processes the contact information to then check you out. My experience at
Blended Nutrition & Energy felt like the longest process just to get a smoothie.
The business has a big indoor space with high ceilings and indoor seating, with modern, fresh decor throughout the place. Blended is currently offering fall flavors like Pumpkin Spice Latte, Pumpkin Oreo Cheesecake and Caramel Apple Pie, so make sure to stop by before the season is over.
While Blended’s health advice encourages customers to order an energy drink alongside your shake, I was full after finishing the regular-sized smoothie. All shakes are between 200 and 250 calories, packed with vitamins and nutrients, which makes for a perfect meal supplement.
Blended is a great place to go for a before or after gym boost, especially after seeing the cafe all over Instagram. I was glad I could finally try their drinks. After finishing my drink, I worked out and saw a noticeable difference in my energy and how much I accomplished.
I tried a sip of my friends’ strawberry and banana shake and it had a very nice, energizing flavor, but once again, the taste of protein powder was overpowering. She was underwhelmed with her drink and said she wouldn’t order it again.
I would rate Blended Nutrition & Energy a 7.8/10. They have great smoothies and kind staff, but the shakes have a strong, powdery aftertaste and the time-consuming check-out process struck me as odd. I don’t see myself going back to Blended Nutrition, but if I did I would try out something different on the menu.
If you have any questions or a review idea, please reach out to me at ekeefe5@elon.edu.