Over the past few years, my Coffee Break segment has taken me deep into the café culture of the land of a thousand cups. As I move from place to place, I spend an unreasonable amount of time in coffee shops. These are the joints where my chronicles are written—where stories are brewed, slowly and deliberately.
But this is not a coffee story.
This is an anecdote about a newly acquired craving: smoothies. I don’t mind picking up another addiction, so long as it leans toward the healthy side of indulgence.
Smoothies are built on nature’s finest offerings—low in calories, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. From boosting immunity and improving digestion to supporting weight management and lowering the risk of chronic illness, the benefits are hard to argue with.
Fruits are healthy. For a nomad constantly on the move, fruit in a cup simply makes sense. It’s efficient, portable, and satisfying. Which explains why cherries are no longer the sole stars of my favorite beverages.
I’m writing this from Twistiblendz Smoothies on KG 680 Street in Kigali, where I’ve stopped to indulge in my go-to blend: Sweet Peanaco. Served in an unapologetically XXL mug, this energy booster combines bananas, peanut butter, and coconut milk.
As someone who has long orbited Rwanda’s coffee scene, I’ve recently noticed a quiet but steady rise in juice bars and smoothie outlets. Is this trend here to stay? Judging by the growing brood of health freaks, it just might be.