Smoothie

A smoothie is a blended beverage made from natural ingredients; usually fruits and juices but sometimes other natural flavors such as chocolate, peanut butter or green tea. Many smoothies use ice or frozen fruit to make them into cold partially frozen beverages. They resemble milkshakes in the sense that they have a thicker consistency than slush drinks, but unlike milkshakes, they are often non-dairy and do not contain ice cream. Smoothies are marketed to health-conscious people, and are often made with vitamin and nutritional supplement mixes. Smoothies are becoming widely popular in the 1960’s.

Over the past decade, fruit smoothies have become an extremely popular choice, whether it be to replace a full meal, or as a mid-afternoon snack. In some areas in the United States of America , it is not uncommon to find 2-3 smoothie vendors on a single inner city block. Similarly to local cafe's, deli's and fastfood outlets, fruit smoothie vendors find their success building with the growing loyalty and repeat business of satisfied regular customers. As the fruit smoothie industry grows in popularity, it becomes clear that this is somewhat of a revolution in the world of fastfood and snack-foods. Instead of the morning coffee or cake, more and more people from all walks of life are turning to a daily fruit hit, a trend that has the potential to be enormously beneficial if it continues.

Smoothies are a way to re-introduce and develop healthy eating habits with the younger generation. Fruit smoothies are exciting for children as it gives them an opportunity to take control and create their own fruit smoothie recipes, decide what fruits to include, and play a role in every step of the process.

Many smoothies depend on bananas to give them their thick, creamy texture. Additionally, many recipes for smoothies are found in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, typically using yogurt and honey as well as fruit. The addition of yogurt gives the smoothie a more milkshake-like texture. Smoothies can also be mixed with soda pop and/or alcohol to make a cocktail.

Smoothies appeal to a wide range of age groups because of their balanced sweetness, fresh fruit flavor, and nutritional value. Most are high in dietary fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. A common recipe is orange juice, strawberries, and a banana blended until smooth.

A smoothie is a blended, chilled, sweet beverage made from fresh fruit and fruit juices which is blended with crushed ice, frozen fruit, or frozen yogurt. They have a milkshake-like consistency which is thicker than slush drinks, but unlike milkshakes, they do not usually contain cow's milk or ice cream. Smoothies are marketed to health-conscious people, and some restaurants offer add-ins such as soy milk, whey powder, green tea, herbal supplements, or nutritional supplement mixes.

Smoothies became available in the late 1960s when ice cream vendors and health food stores began selling them. By the 1990s and 2000s, smoothies became available at mainstream cafés and coffee shops and in pre-bottled versions at supermarkets.