Algae!

I'm not a fan of seafood. I wish I ate more of it, but I've just never seen items from the the ocean as particularly appetizing. Therefore, you can imagine why i wasn't overly excited to try a beverage that featured algae (yes algae) as one of its ingredients. This isn't about me though; I do what I do for all you loyal readers out there, so this had to be done.

Once upon a time, I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was starting an interesting beverage blog and he mentioned a drink that I knew I'd have to tackle sooner or later. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that place The Farmacy has smoothies with, like, seaweed or something in them," my pal inquired. And he was right, well, kind of.

This particular post takes place at The Farmacy Natural and Specialty Foods located at 28 West Stimson Avenue. It's an awesome mini-grocery store that offers a wide range of local and organic foods. I didn't get to check the products out too much though because I was on a mission and headed right over to the smoothie area.

Upon examining the menu, I located my target. A smoothie uniquely named the "Spiritulina", that featured a combination of strawberries, bananas, yogurt, papaya juice and the special ingredient, spirulina, that actually features a tremendous amount of health benefits. Don't be fooled though readers, spirulina is simply a fancy word for algae.

I did my best to convince myself that spirulina was just some crazy fruit that I had never heard of as I coughed up the $4.35 that I owed for the smoothie. As my smoothie was in the process of being created, I wandered around the store a bit until I heard the barista call me over, for my beverage was ready for consumption.

Now, I feel that I'm not too squeamish of a person...until I saw this beverage. Okay, yes I already knew that algae was one of the ingredients buttttt, little did I know that my drink would look like the droppings of some old, extinct sea monster. Had I not watched the barista make the drink herself, I would have assumed that someone simply vomited into a cup and handed it in my direction. It was an awkward, dark green with glimpses of red, blues and purples floating around. Basically, it looked like liquid guacamole.

"I can't let my fans down," I kept telling myself. I stepped away from the counter, popped the straw in and proceeded to take my first sip.

Welp, turns out I'm an idiot. Since this blog has been in existence, this is by far the tastiest beverage I've reviewed. This may even be one of the tastiest beverages my taste buds have ever had the pleasure to meet. It was very reminiscent of a simple strawberry-banana smoothie, but the algae taste really shined through with the aftertaste. It still tasted fruity and simple, but exhilarating at the same time. While this beverage is quite expensive, you owe your palate this experience.

God bless you, you sweet, sweet ocean.

"Chai it out for yourself," she said.

Today I had my first experience of some of the anomalous beverages that exist here in Athens Ohio.

Now, I've driven by the Village Bakery and Cafe, located at 268 E. State Street [(740) 594-7311], many times having been a student here in Athens for the last 3 years, however, until today, I had yet to ever venture inside.

Upon arriving, i walked up to the counter and asked the barista what she thought the most unique drink on the menu was. After giving me a "that's an interesting question, weirdo" kind of look, she concluded that the "Village Chai" was the way to go. I was a little hesitant at first with the $3.25 price tag for chai tea, but, at least the drink could warm me up I thought. Wrong. As I received my drink it was served on ice (the only way that it's served at this particular establishment), and I may or may not have mumbled something unpleasant in my head due to the snow outside that had recently formed no more than 24 hours prior.

Regardless, I took my deceivingly-titled, cold beverage and sat down to consume it. My barista turned out to be very helpful aiding me with my strange question and proceeded to tell me that the reason that this particular drink is so special is because it consists of 3 ingredients: local, organic green tea from Herbal Sage Tea Company, soy milk, and local, organic honey.

Despite the 24 degree temperature outside and also not being much of a tea drinker myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this beverage. The green tea flavor was dominant but the honey added a nice, delicious new dimension. The green tea also worked as a great energizer for me for the rest of the day. Winter winds or summer shine, the "Village Chai" is definitely worth checking out, especially for all you tea fanatics out there.