05 Jul Top Ten Organic Spices For Sensational Smoothies

Whether you are stuck in a smoothie rut, or whether you’re just completely sold on the heath-boosting potential of organic spices, we’ve got you covered. These natural and organic spices and herbs will add complexity and depth to both the taste and nutritional profile of your smoothies.

Clove Powder or Whole Cloves

Cloves are very high in vitamins, minerals and fibre. They are loaded with antioxidants and help to prevent and treat gas and bloating. Cloves are also an incredible natural detoxifier and anti-inflammatory agent. They have a sweet and warm aroma and are great paired with apple, pear, banana, coconut, nuts, dates, vanilla and orange.

Cardamom

Cardamom is high in antioxidants, iron and potassium. It has a warm, floral flavour and is very aromatic. It is an essential ingredient in all things chai. It is also great paired with pears, peaches, apples, bananas, nuts, spinach, coconuts and dates.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well known for regulating blood sugar and LDL cholesterol. It also has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial benefits. Sweet and comforting, cinnamon adds a warm, familiar note to smoothies of all varieties. It pairs well with pumpkin, butternut, dates, vanilla, bananas, apples, pears, nuts and coconuts.

Vanilla

Vanilla contains chemicals called vanilloids that activate receptors in a similar way to capsaicin, which is well known to reduce inflammation and improve mental performance. It enhances virtually any kind of smoothie, and helps bring out the sweetness without adding sugar. It also fantastic at bringing maca-flavoured smoothies to life. Otherwise great with apples, bananas, pears, oranges, coconut, berries and matcha.

Peppercorns

Black pepper is the most traded spice in the world. It has an impressive array of health benefits from all things digestion to helping with weight loss and antioxidant and antibacterial effects. You may not associate it with sweet foods, but it can add a surprising kick to your fruity beverages. It is fantastic with vegetable smoothies of all kinds, as well as mango, pineapple, blackberry, grapefruit, strawberry, and melon.

Ginger

Ginger is great at stimulating the digestive juices and increasing appetite as well as improving the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body. Ginger greatly enhances fruit and vegetable smoothies, giving them a bit of intrigue and kick. Ginger and goji berries are a particularly good pairing.

Nutmeg 

Nutmeg aids in sleep and is a fantastic immune booster. If used for justa  few days, it can also be used to make your skin look clearer and brighter, as well as help heal acne and scarring. Its floral notes can quickly take over other flavors, so use it lightly. It makes a nice pairing with creamy smoothies, especially ones sweetened with lucuma.

Turmeric

Hailed the king of spices when it comes to immunity, the active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin also help to ease ear aches and inflammation. Turmeric is mild tasting with less bite than ginger. It pairs well with nuts, coconut, orange, dates, pumpkin, vanilla, pineapple, cacao and mango.

Lavender 

Apart from adding an exotic colour and flavor to your smoothie, lavender offers health benefits such as relief from migraines and menstrual cramps. Feeling stressed? Scientists have found that the smell of lavender also lowers your heart rate and reduces blood pressure. It pairs very well with berries, honey, almonds, lemon and chia seeds.

Rosemary

Rosemary contains carnosic acid and carnosol which are great anti-inflammatory compounds. Rosemary also elevates mood, helps with migraines and prevents cancer. It works very well with greens, berries, bananas, apples, chia seeds and mango.