Today's pineapple kiwi smoothie recipe is a simple, refreshing beverage that will quench your thirst while also providing your body with vitamins and minerals.
Is Pineapple Kiwi Smoothie Healthy?
Yes, our pineapple kiwi smoothie recipe is healthy.
Pineapples are particularly high in vitamin C and manganese, providing 131% and 76% of the recommended daily intake, respectively. In this recipe we use both fresh pineapples and pineapple juice.
Additionally, pineapples contain trace amounts of vitamin A and vitamin K, as well as phosphorus, zinc, and calcium.
Kiwi is a nutrient-dense fruit that is particularly high in vitamin C. To be precise, one cup of this fruit juice contains 273% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake.
Vitamin C is an extremely powerful antioxidant that boosts the immune system and aids the body in eliminating harmful free radicals. In other words, each sip of this delectable juice provides an explosion of immune-boosting nutrients.
Ingredients You Will Need
Let’s take a look at what this pineapple kiwi smoothie entails:
- Pineapples: As recommended, ripe pineapples are best for this recipe as their sweetness will help flavor your beverage. We also use freshly pressed pineapple juice, but you can use unsweetened bottled juice as well.
- Kiwis: Any variety of kiwis can be used in this recipe, as long as you’re using ripe ones.
- Spinach: A handful of spinach will give your drink a vibrant green color once blended; but don’t worry, you won’t taste the raw veggie at all.
- Sweetener: Honey
- Liquid: Usually, we would add milk to help blend the ice more easily and give the smoothie a richer flavor. However, for this recipe we decided to use pineapple juice, keeping the smoothie on a fresher note.
- Mints: We love using spearmint leaves in our smoothies, but any other type of mint will suffice. We especially recommend peppermint leaves as their refreshing flavor complements this pineapple kiwi smoothie well.
- And ice.
After you've done with your kiwis, you can move on to the pineapples. If you don’t know how to peel a pineapple, check out our simple pineapple smoothie recipe.
How to Tell If a Pineapple Is Ripe
If you want to know whether the pineapple is ripe enough for your smoothie, here are a few tell-tale signs:
- Check the color.
When most people think of pineapples, they envision a greenish-yellow fruit.
However, the exterior of a pineapple changes from ashy green to yellow or even orange as it ripens; the more yellow or brighter the exterior, the riper the fruit is. A deep dark orange hue, however, is a sure sign of overripeness.
One interesting fact about pineapple is that it does not continue to ripen after being harvested, which means that the greener, less-ripe ones you see at the grocery store are not going to get any riper.
- Squeeze the pineapple.
Despite their prickly appearance, pineapples are safe to press or squeeze without cutting your hands. And feeling the texture of the fruit is one of the best ways to check if it’s ripe or not.
The difference between an unripe and ripe pineapple won’t be as drastic as a banana, but you should feel a fairly soft and somewhat mushy texture when you squeeze into it.
- Take a smell check.
If the color and texture are to your liking, take a whiff of the pineapple's base.
If the bottom has a fruity, sweet, and fresh aroma, it's probably safe to consume.
However, if the pineapple begins to smell funky and fermented, similar to wine or vinegar, it has gone too far and should be discarded.
How Long Does It Last?
Like the majority of our recipes, this pineapple kiwi smoothie should last for up to 2 days in the fridge. You can even freeze it and it will stay good for a month or so.
Even better, pour your pineapple kiwi smoothie into ice cream molds and you will have delicious fruity tropical popsicles for you to enjoy on hot summer days!
Love This Smoothie? There's More!
Pineapple Kiwi Smoothie Recipe
Looking for a quick and easy drink to quench your thirst? This pineapple kiwi smoothie recipe is what you need. Check out the recipe.
- prep TIME 10 mins
- total TIME 10 mins
- COURSE Beverage
- CUISINE American
- SERVINGS servings
- CALORIES 115 kcal
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz pineapples (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 10 oz kiwis (peeled and cut in half)
- 1/2 cup pineapple juice (freshly pressed)
- 1 oz spinach (stems removed)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cups ice
- 8 mint leaves
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend all ingredients: In a blender, combine 2 cups ice, 12 oz pineapples, 10 oz kiwis, 1/2 cup pineapple juice, 1 oz spinach, 1 tbsp honey.
Blend at high power mode in 20 - 30 seconds until completely smooth.
Divide the smoothie into four glasses.
Top with 2 mint leaves on each glass, and serve.
NUTRITION
Tuyet Pham
Head Chef, Culinary Consultant
Luna Regina
Writer, Author
- Denise ChavezA tropical and refreshing smoothie that's packed with vitamins and nutrients.