As today’s consumer turns to a more natural and organic lifestyle, there’s also a growing desire for healthful, nutritious, and filling products, like smoothies and juices. And it makes sense! Smoothies align perfectly with consumer values — minimally processed, plant-based nutrients with an array of fruit flavors (and combinations thereof), fresh taste profiles, clean ingredients, and healthy benefits.
They’re such a wonderful treat, and it’s nice to quickly pop a few ingredients into the blender, wait a minute, and then end up with an awesome thick, creamy drink.
Here are a few hot smoothie trends that might inspire you to create these delicious treats in your kitchen.
Spiked Smoothies
Smoothies aren’t just for kids anymore — adults love them too! You can add alcohol or juice to make the drink more adult-friendly. Add vodka or tequila to mango or peach smoothies for an extra kick, or add wine or Champagne for a festive holiday treat. The alcohol content in these drinks is low, so they won’t get you drunk, but they taste great!
Healthy Greens
One of the biggest trends in smoothies is adding healthy greens. Kale, spinach, chard, collards, bok choy, and arugula are all good options. Spinach and kale have a milder flavor than some of the other greens, so they can be used in almost any smoothie recipe. For added sweetness, you can also add fruit, such as strawberries or blueberries. If you’re new to using greens in your smoothies, start with just one leaf per cup of liquid before working up to two or three leaves per cup.
Frozen Fruit Frenzy
Frozen fruit is an excellent choice if you want to make a delicious smoothie without adding ice cubes. Frozen fruit gives you more bang for your buck because it’s cheaper than fresh fruit and lasts longer in the freezer. Plus, it blends easier into your smoothie because it’s already soft and chewy from being frozen beforehand! The best part about using frozen fruit is that there’s no need to peel or chop anything before putting it in your blender!
Fermentation
Fermentation is a culinary process that helps to break down carbs and proteins, creating more nutrients for your body. This process is also used to preserve food for long periods, which makes it great for smoothies!
Fermented foods can be added to your smoothie in the form of kimchi or fermented vegetables like sauerkraut and pickles. These are all rich in probiotics, which help support your gut health. Some prebiotic ingredients can be added to increase the fiber content of your smoothie and promote a healthy digestive system.
Soup It Up
This one is simple — add some broth or water to any smoothie recipe and stir it together before blending it. You can add other liquids like coconut milk or juice to make your smoothie more creamy. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding spices like turmeric or ginger!
Protein-Packed
Protein powder is one of the most popular additions to smoothies. It’s made from milk or soy and contains all nine essential amino acids your body needs for muscle growth and repair. You should consume at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight every day, up to 1 gram per kilogram, if you’re trying to build muscle mass. A single scoop of whey-based protein powder can provide about 25 grams of protein per serving with very few calories and no fat or carbs — perfect for those looking to lose weight or build muscle mass.
Cold-Pressed
Cold-pressed juice is the most popular trend in smoothies right now. Cold-pressing is a technique that uses hydraulic pressure to extract juices from fruits and vegetables. It’s similar to traditional juicers, but cold-pressed juices are made without heat. This means that the nutrients and enzymes found in produce are retained during the process.
Global Inspiration
Smoothies are all about making people feel good. This means you don’t have to stick to the traditional fruit-and-milk options if you want to add a bit of spice to your smoothie offering. One way of doing this is using ingredients from other countries – for example, ginger from India or cinnamon from Mexico. You can even take inspiration from different cultures within your own country!
Pile on the Toppings
Smoothies don’t have to be just a base and fruit — we see more toppings added to give smoothies more texture and flavor. Think granola, oats, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate chips!
Bring Back the Classics
Smoothies are all about variety, but there’s one thing that never goes out of style: berries! Strawberries, blueberries and even raspberries are great for any smoothie because they add flavor without being too sweet (and they don’t require added sugar).
Takeaway
Smoothies have changed. They’re no longer just a snack post-workout; they are now a full meal, and even dessert replacement. Chilled pulped fruit will always be the classic smoothie, but there is so much more that can be done with this classic beverage. The beauty of all of these trends is that it’s fresh, healthy food that the whole family can enjoy.
