A smoothie isn’t just a drink made from fruit! No, sir!
Related: Mouth-watering smoothie recipes!
A smoothie is a wonderfully versatile drink and you would be surprised at the unique and amazing flavours and textures you can conjure up!
You can blend fruits, vegetables, superfoods, yoghurt, ice cream, sorbet, or more.
Don’t like dairy? No problem!
Quality ingredients are key to creating a delicious smoothie, so always choose the best you can find.
Oh, and experiment to your heart’s content! Smoothies aren’t just a drink, they’re a hobby!
Smoothie Equipment
One of the best things about smoothies is you don’t need any fancy equipment.
Smoothie makes and blenders are super cheap these days, and at a guess your parent’s have an old food processor hidden away in a cupboard they’ve forgotten about.
Smoothie Makers
Smoothie makers are, like the name suggests, specifically for smoothies.
These machines will blend and foam your ingredients into nice and frothy smoothies. They handle ice really well, and tend to be durable for daily use.
Expect to pay very little for a smoothie maker.
Blenders
Blenders vary in quality and design, but if you’re serious about smoothies you should opt for a decent high-powered blender.
These will blend your ingredients and also ice cubes into perfectly chilled and creamy drinks.
Food Processors
The blender attachment on a food processor can also be used, so if you have one available then stick with that for now – no need to clutter your kitchen with either of the above.
The downside of a food processor for making smoothies is ice can melt during processing. You may not care too much, but it may lead to a slightly watered-down drink.
Top Smoothie Tips
Becoming a pro smoothie magician will take practice, but here are some quick tips which will greatly improve your smoothie-making skills:
Keep it Icy Cold!
Especially in Australia, always serve your smoothies cold!
This can be achieved with ice, or better yet – be prepared and freeze your fruit.
Experiment!
Don’t think of smoothies as a drink. Think of them as an artform, or a hobby.
Experimenting with smoothies is half the fun, so don’t be afraid to try new ingredients or techniques.
What will this fruit taste like with that fruit, or what will happen if you add that vegetable or this spice?
Mix different fruits and vegetables to create unique flavours, but make sure you don’t add too many ingredients – this can overpower individual flavours, effectively giving you a tasteless “house blend”.
Freshness Matters!
Did you know the nutritional value of a smoothie decreases rapidly?
Drink immediately!
Don’t refrigerate, and don’t leave exposed to air. Some juices tend to separate quickly.
If you absolutely must, drink your smoothie within 1 day. Max.
Use Natural Sweeteners!
Most of us have a sweet tooth. Our parents taught us sugar was bad, then rewarded us for good behaviour with sugar.
We fail to realise sugar is one of the most addictive substances on Earth, just like heroin, but because everyone’s hooked it goes unnoticed.
The great news is we don’t need sugar, and nature offers us the real sweetness. Not some imposter.
Sweeten your smoothies with a touch of honey instead.
Fruity Ice Cube Magic!
This is a great tip for two reasons – (1) it helps you make icy cold smoothies, and (2) you will amaze your guests with beautifully coloured ice cubes!
Simply puree fruit in ice cube trays, and add to your smoothies for an extra burst of colour and flavour.
Presentation Finesse
You may not care too much about presentation, but believe me, it matters.
There are three easy ways to deluxify your smoothie:
Garnish
Garnish your smoothies with cocktail sticks, straws, little umbrellas, long-handled spoons, fruit slices, citrus curls, herb sprigs (like mint), grated chocolate, or coffee beans.
Take a look in your cupboard, or on the supermarket shelves – what can you add to your smoothies for added pizazz?
Stylish Glasses
Stylish glasses will make any drink look better.
It’s best to aim for a glass with a capacity of 300ml or half a pint.
Frosted Glass
This is the easiest trick in the book, and great on a hot day. Put your glasses in the freezer before use.
This will give a frosty appearance and help keep your smoothie cold for longer.
Need more inspiration?
Make sure you check out our delicious smoothie recipes!
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