Why aren't my green smoothies smooth?

[JenniferMooreFuller]

My smoothies are like little pieces of salad floating in juice. I use a spoon to eat / drink them. Is my blender too cheap to smooth them all together? I have tried using greens with fruits and also greens with veggies alone - same deal. I'll appreciate your ideas on this, please!

[Revvell]

Not knowing the type of blender you have, it's age, or how long you are blending, I'm going to assume your question is correct which is why a high-powered blender such as the Vita-Mix is recommended.

Revvellicious

[tisha]

If you do not have a really powerful blender, you might consider replacing your blender blade. Maybe it has gotten dull over time. I just ordered a replacement blade for my son's blender. He has a Hamilton Beach. Not a really expensive one. I was able to order a commercial blade for only $10 to replace his original blade.

[rawbeliever]

I have a $40 blender that I use two to three times a day for 1 quart green smoothies. You probably just need to blend a little longer; blend for another two minutes after it the smoothie looks consistent. :) If that doesn't work, Tisha might be right, you might need a new blade.

good luck,
Robbie

[JenniferMooreFuller]

Thanks for your help. My blenders are Black & Decker "Quick 'N Easy", 8 or 9 cup capacity; and a ProctorSilex 3 cup. Both are a couple months old. It doesn't seem to matter how long I blend. Trying a new blade sounds like a good idea while checking out brands of more powerful ones to buy.

[JennaBoBenna]

Try making green juice first! Blend your greens with juice or water and then strain it. You'll have nice smoothe green juice that you can then add fruit to :)

[Peaches4Ever]

Try freezing the greens. I cut out the stems from my greens, portion them out and put the portion of greens I am going to use in my smoothie into a baggie and freeze them. When you go to make your smoothie, take the baggie out of the freezer and crush it in your hands. The frozen greens will break nicely into small bits (stems wont break up easily, thats why I remove them). Then put the crushed greens in your blender with the other ingredients and blend away. It should come out much smoother.

[JenniferMooreFuller]

Love the straining and freezing ideas! Don't think I've been blending long enough either. Am looking forward to being able to drink something smoother and thicker than watery vegetable soup. Thanks!!!

[codajess]

I buy 10 oz bags of spinach and I freeze them. When I make a smoothie, I usually prepare them the night before (without blending) so I crunch up a bag of spinach and put all 10 oz into the blender, plus whatever frozen or fresh fruits. Then in the morning I add the water & supplements and blend it. By that time the spinach has thawed into super-limp leaves. Sometimes my smoothie doesn't look so blended, all it takes is blending it longer for it to break down the rest of it.

Good luck :)

[rawzeit]

My smoothies are like that too, unless I add... avocado. Which is what I do, usually a half one. That makes it really smooth.

[JenniferMooreFuller]

The avocado idea is great. Eat them in salads, green puddings (whatever is in fridge) and dips but never tried them in smoothies.