There’s nothing worse than trying out a simple recipe and it flops.
Have you ever wondered why the freshly made smoothie you bought doesn’t taste like the one you make at home?
Have you had to deal with lumps halfway down the glass?
Have you found yourself crunching through what you should be drinking?

For me, the answer is yes, yes, and yes. My first attempt at adding smoothies to my daily routine was short-lived. Simple recipes that were a no-brainer flopped right before my eyes. I remember almost throwing up halfway down a glass of a healthy smoothie because it was too thick and had lumps. I’ll spare you the details.

Like with anything in life, the more smoothies I made, the better they turned out. Here are 7 tips to make the perfect smoothie:

1. Blend in stages
This is so important it just had to be number one. If you’re including roots such as ginger and turmeric, start with them first. Add a little water and blend till smooth. The trick is to blend in stages with a liquid base. If you’re using leafy greens, do the greens first with a liquid base.

2. Blend from low to high speed
Every blender has its strengths but the best thing to do is start at low speed then take it up a notch. This allows your blender to fully process the ingredients more efficiently. One to two minutes will be just fine.

3. Start with a liquid base
The first thing in your blender should be a liquid base. This can be water, low-fat milk, almond milk, coconut water, or green tea. Pour in the liquid then add a couple of ingredients and blend till smooth. This will definitely remove all the chunks and stop your smoothie from being too thick.

4. Frozen fruit goes a long way
Frozen fruits will give your smoothie a really creamy consistency most especially frozen bananas. And it definitely makes it more refreshing. Ice will water down your smoothie so you’re better off sticking with frozen fruits. In the absence of frozen fruit, you can use oatmeal to also thicken the smoothie. You’ll get a boost of fiber and protein.

5. Add some dairy
Diary is a great way to thicken your smoothie. Yoghourt will thicken your smoothie without making it too thick. You’re better off using Greek yogurt. It’s filling and full of protein.

6. The blender makes the difference
Not all blenders are strong enough to handle frozen fruits. A high-performance blender will give you great results every time. Think of it as an investment that’s definitely worth the returns.

7. Get the right balance
Although you’ll most likely be following a recipe, it’s important to get the balance right. Everyone has a different set.