It’s amazing what the right smoothie can do.
This one gives me energy and makes me feel refreshed and revitalized.
Partly because it’s not a super sweet smoothie. I used Montmorency tart cherries, which have a unique sour-sweet taste. The slight tartness wakes up my tastebuds and cuts through the cobwebs in my brain without needing to pour a cup of coffee.
It’s a great smoothie pre- or post-workout, or any time you need a little pick-me-up. It’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and packed with tons of bold flavor.
The tart cherries are rich in vitamin A and for fruits and vegetables, a sour taste is often a cue for more phytonutrient compounds inside. Montmorency tart cherries contain anthocyanins, a ๏ฌavonoid that contributes to the ruby-red color and distinguishing taste.
Tart cherries are available in dried, frozen and juice forms so you can enjoy these superfruits year-round.
The banana is packed with potassium, and coconut water is like nature’s sports drink and naturally balances and replenishes electrolytes.
The cherry flavor is bold yet tempered by the smooth, creamy banana. Bananas are such workhorses in smoothies. I always keep a stash of banana chunks in the freezer so I can toss a few into the blender for smoothies. No need for ice that way, either.
I sweetened it to taste so that it’s sweet-yet-tart like a glass of lemonade should be. It’s refreshing and zingy without having to pucker up.
It’s interesting that expert trend trackers say sour is the new spicy, which will no doubt change the food industry. To learn more about going tart instead, and to ๏ฌnd recipes and serving ideas for tart cherries, visit choosecherries.com
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Cherry Revitalizer Smoothie
Ingredients
- 2 cups Montmorency tart cherries, frozen
- 2 medium/large ripe bananas, previously frozen in chunks is ideal
- 1 cup coconut water, water may be substituted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
- sweetener, to taste (granulated sugar, agave, stevia, zero-calorie sweetener, etc.)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the canister of a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately. Extra portions may be frozen in freezer-safe (plastic) glasses for up to 3 months. Allow to soften at room temp before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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A Year’s Supply of Dried Tart Cherries and Tart Cherry Juice
A KitchenAid 7-Quart Mixer
Le Creuset 4.5- Quart Dutch Oven
Anthropolgie Apron
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I was asked to participate in the National Cherry Month #GoTart Campaign as a member of the Healthy Aperture Blogger Network. I received free samples of tart cherries mentioned in this post from the Cherry Marketing Institute. I was compensated for my time. Opinions expressed are my own. #GoTart Giveaway
Cherries and coconut water together is the perfect combo!
I can’t resist anything with cherries…
On yogurt–so delicious!
Never tried tart cherries but I bet they would be good with melted dark chocolate and chopped pistachios – spread on pan – cool and enjoy with a glass of red wine for dessert.
I like to eat them with my greek yogurt. :)
Toss them into my morning granola.
What an amazing giveaway! I adore tart cherries in cobblers and crisps! And this smoothie is just what I need right now! Keeping my fingers crossed, I still don’t own a kitchenaid! This would be a dream come true!
Tart Cherries are great in muffins!
We love cherries and use them in a lot of things. Not sure if these would work for the Larabar copycat recipe I use but we are in search of the perfect cherry for that now that Costco stopped carrying their own brand!
Love, love tart cherries. I am German and tart cherries are a staple in a lot of my baked goods.
I love cherries with cocoa powder in my oatmeal
Smoothie or a dip
I would make cherry-orange scones!
I love cherries!!! They’re my favorite fruit!
I love them on top of yogurt or cereal!
I love dried cherries and going out and picking and eating fresh cherries right off the tree. Yum!