Try a Real Smoothie
Have you any idea of what is going into that smoothie you are drinking? In recent years this type of drink has become big business and many companies will use words like "healthy" and "natural" to describe theirs. However, what you may not realize is that the smoothie you purchased from your local grocery store is not all that it seems. Although the label may show a sunny outdoor scene or lots of fruit in a blender to show you that they contain lots of living ingredients. What you will soon discover that these have been produced on a mass scale using fruit puree that has been pasteurized to help extend its shelf life.
Also although many juice and smoothie bars have opened not everyone offers customers natural products. Some will use frozen fruit purees that have high levels of sugar in them and which are supplied by the companies who supply their smoothie making and juicing equipment. Because these types of blenders are expensive to buy, juice bars will tend to purchase a company's frozen fruit portions to make their drinks because they get the equipment for free.
However, there are a number of juice bar chains who have created their own frozen fruit products which not only saves them money but simplifies their operations. Although there are some which are good there are others that contain high levels of sugar. But if you think it is some sort of conspiracy to make sure that we don't get natural ingredients, and then think again. It's just businesses streamlining things in order to make a profit, but there are times when we as the consumer lose out.
The concept behind a real smoothie is simple. It is a blended health drink that was made popular in the USA. There is no specific definition for what this type of drink is other than it is fruit based and must be thick and smooth, and will often be made using frozen fruit and/or ice. A lot of the independent juice bars today are focused on health and will offer you a freshly prepared first class natural product. Also in some of the better juice bars they provide super foods and boosters to enhance the smoothies of health enthusiasts.
If you are lucky enough to have such a great juice bar close to you then you should really be using it. However, if your only real contact with smoothies is the bottled variety, you are missing out on some great flavours and goodness from the freshly prepared kind.
One of the best ways to try a delicious smoothie that is fresh to make it at home. However, first let us clear up the confusion that has arisen created by blender manufacturers. A smoothie maker and a blender are one and the same. Up until a few years ago this type of kitchen appliance was known as a blender until someone in a marketing department came up with the idea of calling them smoothie makers so that the company could target those wanting to make their own smoothies. Whilst companies were profiting from the demand created by the rise in people wanting to make smoothies the decision to then call a blender a smoothie maker happened and results in us thinking they are two different machines. When in fact they are not.
To make a smoothie is very simple you just put the ingredients into the blender jug and then press the button. It only takes a few seconds to turn the whole fruit into pulp and juice and cost per smoothie you make at home is much less than those you buy on the high street. Homemade smoothies not only taste great by contain lots of essential nutrients that your body needs. You can either make smoothies using frozen fruit or fresh fruit mixed with ice. Plus to further enhance the flavour and make the smoothie creamier you can add some yoghurt. Plus experimenting with other ingredients you could further enhance the health benefits of the smoothies you make.
For making such drinks you need a blender or smoothie maker. It is important that you go for one which will do everything you require and is able to deal with frozen ingredients. The cheaper models may save you money but are as effective and blending ice in such machines can be very demanding on them. So it is better to go for a more expensive model. Ideally go for one that allows you to mill dry ingredients as well such as the Mill Blender by the American company L'Equip. This is a machine that not only allows you to create smoothies but allows you to grind up flax which is full of essential fatty acids and which can be added to the drink.
A lot of health enthusiasts will place great demands on their kitchen equipment and spend hundreds of pounds on buying commercial grade blenders such as the Blendtec Total Blender. However, although these models will provide years of good service you won't need to break the bank to create your own smoothies at home. However, if you intend to blend ice in yours then avoid those that cost below 60. There are many online retailers who specialise in smoothie makers like www.ukjuicers.com who can provide you with what you need.