What if we told you that your next smoothie could not only cool you down and taste amazing but could also help you feel balanced and focused? Fueled by blueberries, green vein kratom tea, and just a few other nutritious ingredients, this blue kratom smoothie will be your go-to drink for afternoons in the spring and summer sun.
Blueberry Health Benefits
Blueberries are widely known to be a nutritious food. Most people are aware that they’re packed with antioxidants, but what does that really mean for your health? Plus, do all types of blueberries have the same benefits? Are certain types worth the extra expense?
We blended these blue nutrient powerhouses with banana, protein powder, and kratom tea to make a smoothie that tastes like spring and will send the Winter Blues packing.
Blueberries are actually a group of flowering plants, not just one single species. All contain anthocyanins, which are pigments known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Researchers suggest that anthocyanin flavonoids likely make the largest contribution to blueberries’ health benefits, as they account for up to 60% of the total polyphenols found in blueberries. Studies have shown that anthocyanin intake can reduce risk of heart issues and is associated with lower-than-average levels of long-term weight gain.
Fun fact: In the botanical world, blueberries belong to the Cyanococcus section of the genus Vaccinium. The prefix “cyano-” means blue or dark blue, and the suffix “-coccus” refers to organism with a spherical shape. In the same genus, you’ll also find cranberries, which are in the subgenus Oxycoccus. In this case, the prefix “oxy-” means acidic or sharp.
Wild vs. Cultivated Blueberries: Yes, Size Matters
Those giant, plump blueberries you pick up at the supermarket might not be as great as they look. At least, not relative to wild blueberries, that is. Wild berries pack their sweetness, flavor, fiber, and pigmentation into a berry with much more surface area and less water.
Numerous studies comparing wild blueberries to the cultivated varieties you find in supermarket refrigerators show that wild blueberries have a higher total amount of polyphenols, including anthocyanins. In fact, some studies show that levels of anthocyanins in the wild berries are two to three times higher.
These berries also have higher antioxidant activity. So the next time you see gargantuan, cheap blueberries at the store, you may just want to pass them up for their smaller wild berry counterparts.
Other Blue Kratom Smoothie Ingredients
We blended these blue nutrient powerhouses with banana, protein powder, and kratom tea to make a smoothie that tastes like spring and will send the Winter Blues packing. There’s just not enough room for two types of blue in this smoothie.
However, if you don’t love everything on the ingredients list, don’t worry. Part of the reason smoothies are great is that you can easily swap out ingredients you don’t enjoy.
What Type of Kratom to Use: Powder vs. Crushed Leaf
Our choice of kratom for this blueberry smoothie is green vein tea. Green vein kratom is well-rounded. It typically offers a gentle motivational boost without being over the top.
When you use crushed-leaf kratom tea bags to make kratom tea, your smoothie will be, well, smooth. You can also use kratom powder, but your smoothie will likely end up being more bitter. Depending on the powder type and quality, it may also have a gritty texture.
Our Expert Tip: When we brew tea, especially in warmer months, we always make an extra serving to place in a jar in the fridge. That way, we always have a cup of iced tea at the ready if we’re in the mood for a smoothie or another iced kratom drink.
Related: Kratom Tea vs. Powder: How Do They Compare in Strength, Convenience, and Price?
But… I Still Want to Use Powder: We’re 3% bummed, and 97% excited to give you advice no matter what type of kratom you want to use. In the recipe below, just swap out the chilled tea with 1-1.5 cups of cold water and your usual serving of kratom powder.
Optional Add-Ins and Toppings for Your Blueberry Banana Green Tea Smoothie
We love combining refreshing, tangy blueberries with bananas to add creaminess and more natural sweetness. Don’t like bananas? Want to bulk up your smoothie’s nutritional profile with other fruits, veggies, or healthy fats? Here are some additions or substitutions we recommend for blue kratom smoothies:
- Blackberries
- Pear
- Spinach
- Kale
- Strawberries
- Avocado
- Chia seeds or flaxseeds
- Spirulina powder
You can also turn your blueberry banana tea smoothie into a smoothie bowl and add toppings. Don’t forget to chop and freeze your fruits and veggies in advance to make your smoothie thicker and more scoopable.
Toppings can add functional benefits, flavor, and crunch to your smoothie. Fiber-packed toppings like whole grain granola can also make your smoothie more filling. Here are a few of our favorites for this particular recipe:
- Sliced strawberries
- Shredded coconut
- Granola
- Toasted nuts
- Chia seeds or flaxseeds
- Fresh blueberries (the more the merrier)
Blue Kratom Smoothie
Prep time: 5 minutes
Brew time: 0-15 minutes
Servings: 1 (about 12 oz)
Ingredients
- 1-1.5 cups of green vein kratom iced tea, chilled
- 3/4 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 large banana, sliced and frozen, or 1 more cup of frozen berries
- Optional: 1/4 cup plain or vanilla protein powder
- Optional: sliced fresh fruit, granola, or other toppings
Directions
- Combine tea and all other ingredients in a high-speed blender. Blend until smooth, about 30-60 seconds.
- Pour into a glass and add any desired toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
Tea Tip: For the best results, use tea that has been brewed and cooled in the refrigerator for several hours. This ensures your smoothie remains thick and frosty. If you’re in a pinch, you can brew the tea just before blending and pop in some ice to cool it down quickly, though this might thin out your smoothie a bit.
The amount of tea you’ll need depends on how powerful your blender is and how thick you like your smoothies. If you don’t have enough tea and your smoothie isn’t blending well, you can add a few tablespoons of cold water to the blender.
Protein Powder: Vanilla soy protein powder is what we used to enhance our smoothie with long-lasting fuel. Feel free to experiment with other varieties and flavors according to your preferences. Remember, the smoothie is naturally fairly sweet, so opting for unsweetened protein powders might be your best bet.
You can also swap in a protein-rich milk, like soy milk. When we filmed a short video on how to make this blueberry green tea smoothie, we didn’t have any protein powder on hand, so we made the recipe with vanilla soy milk and concentrated kratom tea instead.
More Kratom Recipes that Actually Taste Good
If you love the blue kratom smoothie, don’t stop here. Check out our other kratom tea recipes, from smoothies to mocktails to tea-spiked hot cocoa. Here’s what we recommend:
- Double Green Kratom Smoothie
- Relaxing Red Tea-Infused Sangria Recipe
- Holy Basil Iced Tea with Sage
- Creamy Iced Kratom Chai Recipe
You can also download our free seasonal recipe book. It contains a super-easy brewing guide and incredible seasonal recipes you won’t want to miss. We create a new recipe book a few times each year so you always have fresh brews to choose from.
Remember, life’s too short for boring drinks, so keep your blender close and your kratom tea closer. Cheers to better brewing and blending!
