Green kale goes in, but a deep purple drink comes out: the blackberries win the colour battle easily. They also bring a pleasant tartness that suits the robust leaves.
3.5Editors’ rating
Taste3.4
Balance3.5
Easy to make4
Popularity40
Reader rating: No reader ratings yet. Be the first.
Garnish: A few blackberries · Ice: Served up, no ice
Method
Wash the kale, cut out the tough stalks and tear the leaves into pieces.
Sort and rinse the blackberries.
Blend kale, blackberries, the optional banana and the water for about 60 seconds, until no leaf pieces remain.
Pour into a glass and serve straight away.
Link copied
Watch it made
Blackberry Smoothie with Kale
Taste
Tart and berry-forward with a faint earthy note from the kale; smoother and sweeter with banana.
About this smoothie
Kale is one of the heartier greens and has a slightly bitter, cabbage-like note, so it needs a strong partner. Blackberries fit well: their juicy, winey tartness and dark colour cover the kale almost completely. Both are commonly counted among the more fibre-rich fruits and vegetables.
The original recipe was fruit, kale and water only, which gives a rather tart result. Half a banana is added here as an optional sweetener. A good smoothie for late summer, when blackberries are at their best.
Bartender tips
Kale needs a little longer in the blender than soft greens; a powerful blender gives the smoothest result.
Pour the smoothie through a fine sieve if you dislike the blackberry seeds.
Variations
With apple
Replace the banana with half a sweet apple for a fresher, fruitier taste.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen blackberries?
Yes, frozen berries work well and make the smoothie colder and thicker.
Does kale have to be cooked first?
No, young kale leaves can be blended raw; just remove the hard stalks.