Foaming in Green Smoothies made with Vitamix - how to keep the FOAM down?

[Jackie1995]

Recently, my green smoothies are about 1/3 foam, and 2/3 liquid! Wow!

I think I used to put flaxseeds in my smoothie mix (almost like a guarantee for a thick shake) and I don't remember the foam problem.

Lately, though, I stopped using them, and I'm getting lots of foam, esp. with the green part.

I also tried experimenting with mixing the greens first, in water, then adding fruits and ice. That didn't work.

Just now, I started with banana, watermelon and flax seeds and ice + water, then added the spinach as it was going, and ....voila! No foam!

So, is it just the order I'm using to build this smoothie, or is it the flaxseeds?

Any other thoughts on keeping the foam down? That oxidation can't be too good for my greens...it does take a while to drink some of these smoothies.

Anyone have any ideas on this?

Jackie

[alpha92]

Foam disappears after 10-15 minutes. I keep it stirring with spoon every now and then.

[Veganmama]

I put the greens in last and have never had any foam issues :) so maybe it's just the order

[Jackie1995]

Thanks for your input!

Hey Alpha92, I don't think I can wait 15 minutes for the foam to go down! I'm such an instant gratification person, especially when it comes to these smoothies...someday I'll grow up. Hahaha!

Veganmama - you know, I was wondering about the ordering of the ingredients. I've been experimenting yesterday and today, and will continue putting the greens last. I'm also trying to not keep the Vitamix on HIGH setting too long, because that for sure puts lots of foam into the drink.

So, you don't think the flaxseeds have anything to do with the foam/not foam issue, huh?

Too many factors...

I'm gonna make a smoothie right now and experiment one more time...

Jackie

[rawpriestess]

I've heard that if you get too much foam with your greens, that you can place the foam in a blender, and blend for a second, and it will make it liquid again.

I don't make green juice, so I haven't tried this personally, but I sure am happy to share it with you all, and hope it works for you.

[Jackie1995]

Thanks, Rawpriestess, for your input. Maybe that would work if I got too much foam from my juicer. Unfortunately, this problem starts in the Vitamix/blender. And it can be slightly frustrating!

Well, my experiment yesterday went well, again paying attention to the order of the ingredients, on low settings, then adding flaxseeds and ice on HIGH, and feeding the greens in, watching them disappear, and turning it off.

Not at much foaming as the other morning. Hmm.

Next I'll have to try no flaxseeds, to see if the order alone has solved the problem. I would have made a good scientist!

Maybe later today!
Jackie

[coffeesquirrel]

indeed i too had to deal with the foam beast yesterday.. when you find the answer to the question let me know.. i just ended up giving up on the foam :O

[rawpriestess]

OOHHHHHHHH!!!
okay, I hear yah.

Well, I use my champion for juice, and my Vita Mix for smoothies, as the Vita Mix does add sooooo much air to things, as it is designed to, so there you have it.

So, you are going for the whole juice route, good choice.

I drink orange juice every day, with black olives, not in it, but as a side, don't know why, but I love it, so I eat the olives, drink the juice, some weirdo thing in my system right now. couldn't get the olives for a few days, so didn't wan the juice, how totally weird is that one?

Well, I wish you great success on your whole juice, and allowing it to sit for a few seconds obviously doesn't seem to help either, hummmm.

Sorry, I couldn't be of more help.

good luck

[Arky]

As your flaxseeds experience implicates, the addition of a little oil or fat will keep foam to a minimum. If you don't wish to add flaxseeds anymore, you could try adding just a teaspoon of olive oil or a small chunk of avocado and see if that helps - my guess is that it will (note that this suggestion is not borne of nutritional considerations, but purely from a practical standpoint, so please spare me any purist objections! lol ;) ).


J.

[Choose Life]

Ok, a stupid question. I keep reading about people drinking green smoothies. Is someone able to explain to me exactly what they put in green smoothies.
Thanks

[Choose Life]

Ok! I just found the other message board about green smoothies. I think it will answer my question.

[Jackie1995]

Hey John,

Yep, repeated experiments have proven to me that the flaxseeds are essential to keeping the foam to about nothing at all anymore! From foam monsters to none, just by using flaxseeds (or oil, as you suggested) is remarkable! I'm so happy!

I love these little hints and tricks, they make all this total fun!

Well, time to make another one. Hmmm....lets see: banana, flaxseed, ice, spinach, cinnamon. Yeah, that's the one for me!

Jackie