If you just learned about green smoothies, you may be excited to try them out. Green smoothies all the rage these days, and for a good reason: they are super easy to make and super tasty.
However, you still need to know some basic rules to make your smoothies a success. If you don't, you may be disappointed and become discouraged quickly, before they become a part of your life.
So here are my top three tips for green smoothie success (for beginners):
Green Smoothie Success Tip #One: Be Aware of Strong Tasting Greens
First of all, when you're just starting out, don't use really strong tasting ingredients, such as mustard greens, cabbage, Swiss chard, parsley or watercress. Even though these ingredients are super healthy, if you add too much of them to a smoothie, it may become unpalatable, so it's best to avoid them altogether, at least initially. I find that the best ingredients for beginners are baby greens (such as spinach, lettuce, or arugula), celery stalks (see the tip below about the best blenders to buy), and lots of sweet, juicy fruits.
Green Smoothie Success Tip #Two: Buy the Best Blender for Your Green Smoothies That You Can Afford
If you don't have a high power blender, such as Vitamix or Blendtec, you may want to avoid really tough greens and vegetables, such as kale leaves or celery stalks, as your blender may not be able to handle the challenge, and you'll end up with a smoothie with lots of tough chunks. That's definitely not what you want!
Start with baby greens, such as baby spinach, and make sure you blend your greens first with the liquid until very smooth. Another option is to add green powders to your smoothies.
However, if you are really serious about green smoothies, my advice is to invest in a high-end blender. You'll be able to use it for much more than just smoothie making machine; plus, even though it's more expensive, it will last for many more years or heavy use. Think of it as an investment in your health and how much you'll save on doctor's bills.
Green Smoothie Success Tip #Three: Mask the Color with Blueberries
If someone in your home objects to the green color of the smoothie, you may add some blueberries or black berries to mask the color. The resulting color may not be the prettiest, but it will not be green. Or try serving it an opaque glass and serve it with a straw.