Peel the pineapple, remove the hard core and cut the flesh into chunks.
Peel the banana and break it into pieces.
Blend fruit, chilli flakes and water for about 40 seconds.
Taste, add more chilli if you like and serve.
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Taste
Sweet and tangy with ripe pineapple, creamy banana and a warm chilli tingle in the finish.
About this smoothie
Fresh fruit sprinkled with chilli is sold on streets from Mexico to Thailand, and pineapple is one of the favourite fruits for it: its acidity and sweetness stand up well to heat. Banana makes the drink creamy and softens the spice.
Chilli flakes vary a lot in heat, so start with a small pinch and adjust to taste. Pineapple is known to contain vitamin C and the enzyme bromelain.
Bartender tips
Start with a small pinch of chilli: the heat builds as the smoothie stands.
A squeeze of lime makes the flavours sharper, as in the street food version.
Variations
Mango chilli
Replace the pineapple with ripe mango for a softer, rounder version.
Frequently asked questions
Is it very spicy?
With a quarter teaspoon it is mildly warm. Add more if you like it hot.