The “Chura Banana Smoothie” is SEE THE SEA’s signature drink — a completely additive-free smoothie made from rare Okinawan apple bananas and Miyahira milk, the only low-temperature pasteurized milk in Okinawa. With no artificial flavors, preservatives, or added sugar, it delivers a rich, authentic taste unlike any smoothie you’ve tried before.
“Everything I thought I knew about smoothies was wrong.”
That’s what customers sometimes say after their first sip — a mix of surprise and wonder on their faces. It’s the highest compliment we could receive. This single glass has the power to completely overturn your idea of what a “banana” can be.
Our proud “Chura Banana Smoothie.” In every sip, you’ll find a rare variety nurtured by Okinawa’s abundant nature, a production method designed to maximize each ingredient’s potential, and above all, the passion that convinced a farmer who once turned us down — a story woven into every glass.
Brix 25: The Apple Banana — Sweet and Tart Like an Apple
Most bananas you see in supermarkets are of the Cavendish variety — excellent for distribution and stable supply. But that reliability comes at the cost of the complex, nuanced flavors that other varieties possess.
The apple banana stands at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. A rare Namwa-type variety, it accounts for only 0.3% of all bananas in circulation. True to its name, it offers a refreshing tartness reminiscent of apples, and when fully ripe, it develops an extraordinary sweetness of Brix 25 — a number that speaks for itself.
To put Brix 25 in perspective: premium muskmelons typically measure around 15–18. That alone tells you how exceptional this sweetness is. And unlike processed sugar, it’s a natural, layered sweetness that unfolds gradually on your palate.
However, this rich character also means fragility. Banana plants grow 2–3 meters tall, making greenhouse cultivation difficult. They’re highly vulnerable to Okinawa’s frequent typhoons, and even once the fruit sets, precise climate management is essential for proper ripening. It takes around 14 months from planting to harvest — more than double the time required for Cavendish bananas.
Still, our contract farmer continues to innovate and persevere, driven by the grand goal of establishing apple bananas as a recognized Okinawan product. From central to northern Okinawa — the Yanbaru region — they supply us year-round. Our smoothie exists because of their dedication.
A Fateful Encounter with Miyahira Milk
To do justice to a banana this extraordinary, we needed an equally remarkable partner.
Most commercially available milk undergoes high-temperature pasteurization for safety and shelf life. While effective, this process inevitably strips away some of the milk’s natural flavor and nutrients.
Miyahira Dairy is the only producer in Okinawa that continues to use low-temperature pasteurization. This method requires more effort and higher costs, but it preserves the milk’s inherent creaminess and gentle sweetness — qualities that pair perfectly with delicate, natural ingredients.
No artificial flavors. No preservatives. No added sugar. By combining just these two ingredients — apple bananas and Miyahira milk — we’ve created a smoothie that stands entirely on the power of natural deliciousness, with nothing extra needed.
The Promise with a Farmer Who Once Said No
The truth is, securing these bananas was anything but easy.
Our contract farmer in Yanbaru, who lovingly cultivates apple bananas, was initially reluctant to supply a tourist destination. The reason was simple: they didn’t want their precious, painstakingly grown bananas to be treated as just another generic ingredient.
We weren’t able to get a yes on our first visit. But we couldn’t give up — because the moment we tasted that banana, we knew. This is the real thing. This banana deserves a stage where its true value can shine.
We visited again and again. We shared our vision for what kind of shop we wanted to create, how we wanted to present these ingredients, and how we hoped to share the value of Okinawan produce with the world.
“Okinawa has incredible treasures that the world doesn’t know about yet. We want to share them with visitors from around the globe through our shop.”
When the farmer finally acknowledged our passion, this smoothie was born. Our promise: to protect the delicious taste, to honestly convey the value of the ingredients, and to serve every single glass with the care it deserves.
Three Passions in Every Glass
The farmer’s dedication to growing the finest apple bananas. Miyahira Dairy’s commitment to gentle, natural processing. And our promise to bring it all together without compromise. When these three philosophies converge in a single glass, the result is something we believe you won’t find anywhere else in Okinawa.
Come to SEE THE SEA at Umikaji Terrace, Senaga Island — just 15 minutes from Naha Airport — and taste the miracle for yourself.
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