The fruit used in a smoothie can be either fresh or frozen, according to First Point Marketing, a company based in Alberta, Canada. Some smoothies use only one fruit while others use many fruits. Yogurt and crushed ice combine with this type of fruit shake, which takes on the color of the fruit base.
People first became health conscious in the 1950s, and that was when the demand for healthy drinks began to grow, says First Point Marketing. Health stores therefore began creating fruit juices in the form of a puree.
The first recipe for banana smoothies actually came out as early as the 1940s, according to First Point Marketing. Many recipes for shakes containing fruit and yogurt appeared in the Blendor cookbooks. The mixture was concocted in blenders. However, the fruit shakes began to be called "smoothies" as a result of the smooth-looking mixture only in the late-1960s when lactose-intolerant Stephen Kuhnau, owner of large US franchise Smoothie King, first blended non-dairy fruit shakes.
In her April 2009 Seattle-Post-Intelligencer article, "Smoothie Possibilities are Endless," food writer Karen Haram advises aspiring smoothie chefs to use a blender instead of a food processor. "If you don't have a blender, use a shaker or jar with a tight lid." She also advises smoothie preparers to use crushed ice instead of ice cubes unless frozen fruit is being used. If ice cubes are used, they should be added to the blender one at a time, Haram says. Those who use a shaker should add the ice after the smoothie is combined, she adds.
This particular recipe will make use of green seedless grapes and grape juice for the fruit base. If the seeded variety is used, the grapes should be chopped and de-seeded. However, this recipe will focus on the use of seedless grapes in order to simplify the preparation process. Low-fat or fat-free milk will also be used, and light vanilla ice-cream or vanilla frozen yogurt or vanilla yogurt can also be used. Soy milk or almond milk can be used if the smoothie preparer is lactose-intolerant or otherwise chooses not to use ordinary milk.
How to Make a Grape Smoothie - Ingredients & Preparation Tips
- Wash grapes thoroughly, and chop them into small pieces whether seeded or seedless. Grapes can also be frozen prior to preparation, in which case, ice would not be required.
- Use low-fat or fat-free milk, soy milk, or almond milk.
- Use low-fat vanilla yogurt or vanilla frozen yogurt.
- If using ice-cream, use light vanilla ice-cream.
- Use grape juice with no added sugar. The white grape variety can also be used in order to generate an even more unique taste.
- Honey or cinnamon can be added for taste
Grape Smoothie
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chopped seedless green grapes
- 1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk, soy milk, or almond milk
- 1 cup lightly-sweetened grape juice, or white grape juice
- 1/3 cup vanilla yogurt, vanilla frozen yogurt. or 1 scoop light vanilla ice-cream
- 1/2 cup crushed ice if grapes are at room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon honey or cinnamon for taste (optional)
Directions:
- Add chopped grapes to blender or shaker.
- Add grape juice. Puree the above mixture.
- Add milk and yogurt or ice-cream. Puree again.
- Add the honey or cinnamon if using.
- Add the crushed ice. Blend the entire mixture until well mixed.
- Serve with a dollop of low-fat sour cream or light whipped cream, and garnished with other fruit, such as strawberries, if desired. This smoothie makes a good breakfast food either by itself or with a piece of another fruit. It can also be the beverage to accompany a heartier breakfast.
This light and unique smoothie yields 2 servings.
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