No Sugar Needed to Quench Your Thirst

Belmopan was alive with energy this weekend as thousands flocked to the capital for the much-anticipated National Agriculture and Trade Show. The three-day event, held under the blazing sun at the agriculture showgrounds, brought together vendors from all over the country to showcase and sell their goods. News Five’s Britney Gordon was on the ground Sunday to check out what this year’s fair had in store.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

The National Agriculture and Trade Show is easily one of the biggest events on Belize’s calendar, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year, and this year was no exception. Even on the final day, the showground was packed with people exploring the many stalls and attractions. Among the newcomers this year was The Market Smoothie Bar, run by a husband-and-wife team making their debut at the event. With the scorching heat bearing down, their cool, refreshing drinks were a welcome treat for thirsty fairgoers. Co-owner Patrick Abrahams even revealed the secret behind their crowd-pleasing smoothies, though he kept just enough mystery to leave people wanting more.

 

Patrick Abrahams, Co-owner, The Market Smoothie Bar

“God is great. Natural. Natural is best. Right? So the fruits speak for themself. It’s really just the fruits that do it and how we make it,and the amount of fruit that we use. We don’t use a lot of ice. We use majority fruit, and that’s where the sweetness comes from.”

 

Since 2021, The Market Smoothie Bar has been serving up fruity blends packed with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and absolutely no added sugar. Co-owner Tanis Abrahams says their drinks are made for everyone to enjoy, but they’re especially proud to offer healthier options for Belizeans who are watching their sugar intake, including those living with diabetes.

 

Tanis Abrahams, Co-owner, The Market Smoothie Bar

“A lot of the customers that come by, are actually appreciative of it because they can trust us. We’re very transparent with our customers because, if you look at our menu, everything is listed. So in case you’re insensitive or allergic to anything. Or if you want to take something out or custom make  a smoothie that we can do that for you.”

 

As the sun blazed overhead, many visitors were in search of a drink that would help them beat the heat and quench their thirst.  That’s where The Market Smoothie bar stepped in. One customer was thrilled to find something both lactose and sugar-free on sale.

 

 Yvonne Cole, Customer

“ Very nice, very smooth.”

 

Britney Gordon

“It’s not, um, too bitter or too sour?”

 

Yvonne Cole

“No, no, no, it’s not, it’s not sour at all. It’s quite sweet, but I know there’s no sugar in it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So what made you decide to come and try out this place in specific? There’s a lot of places offering drinks right now.”

 

Yvonne Cole

“I’m lactose intolerance, so I can’t take milk and everything else has milk.But this is here just fruit juice and, you know, no sugar.”

 

The Market Smoothie Bar also offers paletas, which include ingredients like locally sourced coconut yogurt. This is part of the company’s goal to remain sustainable and supportive of the local fruit producers.

 

Tanis Abrahams

“We partner with a lot of local farmers, and we also like transparency from them as well. Sometimes we actually go to their farms. We do a lot of composting as well. So we ask them we believe in composting, so we ask them if they’ll just take the waste and do composting. So we form a very great relationship with the local farmers here. Not only Belmopan, but around Belize as well.”

While the business is still small, the Abrahams hope that its impact will be large and help push Belize towards a healthier tomorrow. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

The Market Smoothie Bar can be found in Old Belize on the George Price Highway and in the Fresh Garden Produce Market In Belmopan.