POP YOUR ‘SMOOTHIE’ CHERRY!
This cherry and coconut smoothie is absolutely delicious – it almost tastes like a milkshake, only more refreshing and zesty. Thus, it is the ideal choice for ‘non-smoothie-lovers’ to pop their cherry!
Cherries are a natural anti-inflammatory, curb cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels, so the perfect burst of sweetness for diabetics. They’re also high in antioxidants, which are associated with anti-aging properties. This breakfast on the go is the perfect way to start your day or as a post-gym snack.
This an extremely refreshing smoothie that is the perfect balance between sour, sweet and creamy!
Smoothies are a great way of consuming nutrients quickly. And this cherry recipe makes it all the more enjoyable by providing phenomenal flavours in a glass. Sip yourself healthy with this cherry and coconut smoothie. Some recipe advantages:
- Easy to make, with relatively easy to find ingredients
- The right dose of nutrients and antioxidants
- Extremely tasty, refreshing and satisfying
THE HEALTH BENEFITS
Cherries are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium. They lower blood sugar and cholesterol; while coconut is considered a ‘good fat’, playing its own role in raising your HDL cholesterol in the blood stream. Perhaps most notably, cherries are full of antioxidants which protect your DNA from damage linked to many age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
As a powerful anti-inflammatory, cherries can help reduce swelling in the body. They aid arthritis and gout relief, as well as post-exercise pain. Finally, cherries are one of the few foods that naturally contain melatonin, which helps regulate sleep patterns.
THE FLAVOURS, TEXTURES & RECIPE
The apple and banana act as a base (as they do in most smoothie recipes). The creaminess of the coconut milk calms the sweet and sour notes of the cherries. The toasted coconut flakes add some texture, as well as an extra hit of flavour.
Honey, maple syrup or agave is added for sweetness. To achieve your desired smoothie consistency, either water or ice can be used. To counteract the denseness, I like to add a lot of ice or frozen cherries and bananas (as opposed to fresh). This results in a refreshing, cool and thirst quenching drink.
Add extra coconut milk or water if the blender gets stuck. Once all ingredients are blitzed, a beautiful bright pink, silky liquid is produced (with darker and lighter specks from the cherries and coconut flakes respectively).
THE CHERRY ON TOP
Pour the mixture into a glass, jar or flask and decorate with toasted coconut flakes and fresh cherries – sliced or whole. To turn it into a smoothie bowl, simply pour the mixture into your favourite dish and decorate with a variety of toppings, such as extra fruit, seeds and nuts, to add texture to your nutritious liquid breakfast.
Sit back and enjoy your cherry and coconut smoothie – its sweet, sour and creamy notes. The collection of vitamins and minerals, as well as its denseness (with good fats), make it an ideal, delicious and substantial breakfast. Its anti-inflammatory and muscle-building properties also mean that it is perfect for post-exercise enjoyment!
Cherry and Coconut Smoothie
https://thezestkitchen.com/cherry-and-coconut-smoothie
Servings:
1-2
Ingredients
Instructions
Save to BigOven
Review overview
Taste8
Presentation7
Ease8.5
Availability7.5
Versatility7.1
Nutrition8
Summary
7.7This smoothie almost tastes like a milkshake! The sourness of the cherries act as the perfect foil for the rich and creamy coconut milk. Our only criticism is that cherries can be quite hard to find and expensive when not in season.
