Blender Bites and Orgain rustle up “super berry” post-workout smoothie

27 Jun 2024 --- Frozen functional beverage innovator Blender Bites has partnered with Orgain, a US-based plant protein brand, to formulate the Superberry Sport 1-Step Smoothie, a protein-enhanced beverage for post-workout muscle recovery. It’s a no mess, no prep or waste concept.

“Today’s consumers seek more than just frozen fruit in their smoothie mixes and Superberry Sport fills a unique niche in the frozen food market. This innovative product is not only rich in functional ingredients but also includes supplements that promote holistic recovery and nutrition,” Chelsie Hodge, CEO and founder of Blender Bites, tells Nutrition Insight.

“Powered by Orgain’s plant-based protein, which has made a significant impact in the supplement industry, Superberry Sport represents a collaborative effort to drive innovation across multiple sectors.”

The smoothie is a USDA-certified organic blend of plant-based protein, tart cherry, maqui (Chilean wineberry), goji berry, turmeric and B vitamins. It is endorsed by Emmy Award-winning performer and Blender Bites investor Julianne Hough, who advocates for healthy living and helped develop the formula.

Positioned for on-the-go sporters
Blender Bites’ signature product is the 1-Step Smoothie. Like the rest of the product range, Superberry Sport is available in convenient pre-portioned frozen pucks that can be blended with the consumer’s favorite beverage, whether that’s water or plant-based milk.

“By collaborating with Orgain, we were able to create a convenient and nutritious product that supports post-workout recovery. This is the first time our brand has found itself at the intersection of frozen fruit and sports nutrition and as a small Canadian company, our partnership with Orgain opens doors to new market and growth opportunities,” Hodge explains.

The product is centered on better-for-you ingredients and contains no inner plastic packaging. Blender Bites products are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free and contain functional ingredients such as whole-food vitamins, collagen and probiotics. The 1-Step smoothies and frappes are distributed across Canada and the US.The puck format eliminates the messiness of smoothie preparations.

Blender Bites’ dedication to convenience and clean ingredients complements Orgain’s expertise in creating tasty, plant-based nutrition. 

Meanwhile, one study by US researchers found that adding a banana to fruit smoothies reduces the bioavailability of flavanols naturally found in fruits and vegetables. The study suggests that high levels of polyphenol oxidase — an enzyme in fruits and vegetables — affect the levels of flavanols absorbed in the body.

Made with love for movement
Hough actively participated in creating Superberry Sport, which she considers the ideal post-workout smoothie. 

“I am a huge proponent of smoothies after my exhaustive workout and dance schedules, and I have seen firsthand how supplementing my body properly helps tremendously in my recovery. When the opportunity arose to create a custom formula with Blender Bites, I knew I had to replicate my own daily smoothie.” 

Hodge notes that as a smoothie enthusiast, she noticed a gap in the market for a solution that eliminated the preparation, mess and waste associated with traditional smoothie-making methods. 

“This led me to create a 1-Step Smoothie puck business, with the aim of making healthy, affordable options accessible to everyone. The puck format is not only the most convenient and time-efficient way to make a smoothie, but it also is the most sustainable approach.” 

“Majority of premade smoothie mixes found in the frozen aisle are individually packaged in plastic, so the puck format eliminates unnecessary materials and allows us to minimize our environmental footprint,” Hodge concludes.

By Inga de Jong