The Ultimate Homemade Green Juice

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Because Green Can Be Tasty

Healthy smoothies should be green, right? Well not necessarily, but for some reason, in my mind, the greener it is and the worse it tastes, the better it must be. However, if you're making homemade green juice and it doesn't taste great, then you're just punishing yourself for no reason.

That green color comes from a specific pigment called chlorophyll. It's pretty strong so whenever you add a green vegetable that contains chlorophyll to a smoothie (or any meal) it will most likely take over the color. That means that $12 green juice sold by the guy with the top knot might only contain a tiny amount of vegetables. It had better at least taste good.

But if you're making one at home, it's so easy to make it both healthy and delicious. Neutral tasting green vegetables like spinach (which has amazing nutritional benefits) and some sweet fruit like apples or pears combine to make great tasting drinks, packed with micronutrients.

Homemade Green Juice Nutritional Benefits

Spinach is a great vegetable, with a pretty neutral taste, which can be eaten either raw or cooked. In smoothies, we use raw spinach which is a good source of calcium (especially helpful if you are dairy-free), magnesium, potassium as well as vitamins B6, B9 (folate), and E.

Apples are a fantastic fruit for smoothies due to their sweet, distinctive flavor. They are also rich in fiber and vitamin C which makes them great for digestion and the immunity system.

Ginger is notorious for its anti-inflammatory benefits (coming from a compound called gingerol). It also supports the immune system, making it helpful for preventing and treating colds. Just don't overuse it as it can quickly overwhelm the taste.

Coconut oil gives a little extra richness to the smoothie as well as energy and healthy fats.

Green Juice Preparation Tips

Prep couldn't be easier for smoothies and juices – just combine the ingredients in a blender and away you go.

The two ingredients that can be substituted here for other ones are apples and spinach. We usually use pears if we don't have any apples and swiss chard instead of spinach. The trick is to use a green vegetable that has a neutral taste so that it doesn't take over the whole drink (e.g. celery would be too strong).

As much or as little water can be added depending on how you (or your child) like your juices. Just make sure you give it a shake before drinking – just like that $12 juice, you'll get some bits floating around otherwise (mainly from the flesh of the apple).

Do you buy green juices? Do you make them at home? What kind do you enjoy? Let us know in the comments below:)