Winter Smoothies With Warm Spices
When the mornings turn dark and cold, an icy smoothie can be the last thing anyone wants. That doesn't mean giving up on smoothies until spring. Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg and cloves change how a smoothie tastes and feels, and a few technique adjustments can make a blended breakfast that suits winter perfectly.
This guide covers which spices to use, which fruits and bases pair best, how to make room-temperature or gently warm smoothies, and a few safety points worth knowing.
The core winter spice cabinet
Ginger. Fresh ginger gives bright heat; ground ginger is warmer and earthier.
Cardamom. Floral and slightly citrusy, it pairs beautifully with coffee, pear, banana and yogurt.
Nutmeg. Rich and sweet.
Turmeric. Earthy and slightly bitter, with a vivid color. It pairs well with mango, pineapple, orange, ginger and coconut.
Vanilla. Not technically a warming spice, but it rounds out and softens the others.
Pre-mixed pumpkin pie spice or chai spice blends are convenient shortcuts.
Pairings at a glance
- Apple or pear: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, ginger.
- Banana: cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla.
- Mango or pineapple: ginger, turmeric, a little cardamom.
- Orange: ginger, cloves, cinnamon.
- Pumpkin or sweet potato: pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cinnamon, allspice.
- Coffee or cocoa: cardamom, cinnamon, a pinch of chili.
- Dates: cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla.
When in doubt, choose one main spice and one supporting spice rather than five at once.
A note on cinnamon types
Cinnamon labels may name one of two kinds, cassia or Ceylon. Cassia contains more coumarin, a naturally occurring compound that can affect the liver in large amounts, than Ceylon cinnamon (sometimes labeled "true cinnamon"). Germany's Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) sets a tolerable daily intake for coumarin of 0.1 mg per kg of body weight, says the European Food Safety Authority "has calculated the same value," and advises that people who often use large amounts of cinnamon "use Ceylon cinnamon which is low in coumarin" (BfR).
If you use a lot of cinnamon daily, Ceylon cinnamon is a sensible choice.
Turmeric and black pepper
Curcumin, the most studied compound in turmeric, is poorly absorbed on its own. A study published in 1998 in the journal *Planta Medica* found that taking it with piperine, a compound in black pepper, markedly increased curcumin levels in the blood (abstract). A pinch of black pepper also adds a subtle warmth.
Concentrated turmeric supplements are a different matter from culinary turmeric. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says to talk with your health care provider before using any herbal product if you take medicine, because "some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways" (NCCIH). If you take supplements or prescription medicines, ask a pharmacist or doctor.
Making smoothies less cold
Use fresh fruit instead of frozen. Fresh bananas, pears and apples give a smoothie with a creamy texture that isn't ice-cold.
Skip the ice. Use room-temperature or slightly warm milk instead of ice cubes.
Add cooked ingredients. Leftover baked sweet potato, roasted pumpkin, or cooked oats blend into silky, room-temperature smoothies.
Make a gently warm smoothie. Warm your milk on the stove until steaming but not boiling, then blend with room-temperature ingredients. Check your blender's manual for its hot liquid instructions, use warm rather than boiling liquid, and start on the lowest speed.
Five winter smoothie recipes
Apple pie. 1 chopped apple, 2 tablespoons rolled oats, half a teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon almond butter, 1 cup milk. Blend until very smooth.
Gingerbread. 1 banana, 1 tablespoon molasses, a quarter teaspoon each of ground ginger and cinnamon, a pinch of cloves, half a cup of plain yogurt, 3/4 cup milk.
Spiced pear and cardamom. 1 ripe pear, half a banana, a pinch of cardamom, a few drops of vanilla, half a cup yogurt, half a cup milk.
Golden mango. 1 cup mango (fresh or thawed), a quarter teaspoon turmeric, a small piece of fresh ginger, a pinch of black pepper, juice of half an orange, half a cup coconut milk beverage, half a cup water.
Pumpkin chai. Half a cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 banana, half a teaspoon chai spice blend, 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional), 1 cup warm milk. Blend gently, venting the lid.
Balancing spice flavors
If a smoothie tastes flat, add a squeeze of citrus or a small pinch of salt. If it tastes harsh or bitter, add more banana, a date or yogurt to soften it. If the spice is too strong, increase the volume with more fruit and liquid rather than trying to mask it.
More to try
For more seasonal combinations, browse the recipe collection. Spiced packs work well as overnight smoothie packs, and if you're cooking for children, see the guide to smoothies for picky eaters.
*This article is general culinary information, not medical advice. If you take medications or supplements, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using concentrated spice products.*
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A short sampler of fruit smoothie recipes, plus kitchen notes on thickness, greens and prep.
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