SMOOTHIE 101

Simply put,

A smoothie is a drink made from pureed fruits, vegetables and a liquid base with a fairly thick consistency- but we like to think of smoothies as pretty much anything that can be ground down and added to a liquid base (such as water, milk, yogurt or juice) .

The possibilities are endless- fun, healthy & delicious!

Origin & History

For centuries, many cultures around the world have been making their own renditions of a smoothie. South Americans have long used pureed fruit juices to create tropical fruit slushes. Indians have used yogurt, spices and fruit to create lassi. These concoctions have also been a part of a healthy diet in the Mediterranean and included veggies that grew in those regions.

Early concepts of the American version of smoothies were brought about by the invention of the electric blender in the late 30's. However, smoothies remained an obscure concept in the United States until the natural food craze of the '60s and '70s when health food stores around the country sold blended fruit drinks.

Fast-forward to today and...

Smoothies have evolved into so much more than just a beverage- they are being used as dietary supplements and meal replacements and served in many different ways- smoothie bowls, overnight oats etc.

Also, not only do they include fruits and vegetables- but everything from seeds, grasses, seaweeds or leaves. Today, smoothies of every flavor and variety can be found in the refridgerated sections of your local grocery stores, at a smoothie franchise location and even online.

Despite their presence, there are still issues with these bottled or made to order smoothies on the market. The cost of shipping around heat-sensitive bottled drinks are evident in their high prices and there is still a lack of transparency into what goes into smoothies that are made-to-order.

Taking matters into your own hands