How to Make Green Smoothies

You may know that green smoothies are nutritious but did you know that they are also very easy to make?  A blender is the only piece of equipment you need to make a smoothie.  Start with a fruit or fruits and throw in a handful of greens.  You may have to add water to adjust the consistency.  Blend all the ingredients together and you’ll have a tasty smoothie with a unique green color.

Why You Need Fruits

Adding a fruit to your green smoothie makes the drink more palatable.  Many leafy greens have a slightly bitter taste.  Some greens have a more bitter taste than others.  Arugula or rocket, for instance, has a strong, peppery taste that needs some getting used to.  The natural sugars in fruits sweeten and improve the taste of your smoothie.

Bananas are favorite additions to green smoothies.  Bananas are sweet and they provide a creamy texture to smoothies.  Other fruits that go well with greens are blueberries, pears, apples, mangoes, pineapples and strawberries.

Greens To Get You Started

You can buy fresh greens from your local grocery store but a farmer’s market may hold a wider array of farm-fresh greens.  You can even start a garden where you can grow organic vegetables.

Start with greens that you are familiar with.  Spinach, lettuce, watercress and Swiss chard are good for starters.  You can also try kale, dandelion greens, collard greens, bok choy, cabbage, beet greens, carrot tops, arugula, turnip greens, purslane and sorrel.  Herbs such as mint, parsley, basil and coriander add a pleasing taste and aroma to your green smoothies.

The important thing to remember when making green smoothies is to swap or rotate the greens in your ingredients.  This will ensure that you get a variety of vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

Green Smoothie Tips

• When making green smoothies for the first time, start with equal amounts of fruits and greens.  As you get used to the taste, you can make the smoothies 60% greens and 40% fruits.
• Invest in a quality blender with enough power to break up your greens.
• Add ice for a cold and satisfying drink.