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‘So fit, she is probably living on smoothies’, read one of the comments on the post of a popular Bollywood actor. Smoothies have come to be associated with all things healthy, nutritious and fortifying. Which is great, because it is the easiest thing to prepare when you are out of options, just blend your favourite fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts together and gulp it down. But was the drink always this ‘healthy’, and who came up with the idea of fusing these contrasting elements together in one drink anyway? Let’s find out.
For the uninitiated, smoothie refers to a beverage that is made by pureeing several ingredients together in a blender. The liquid base of smoothies can comprise anything from fruit juice, milk, yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, nuts... you name it. The popularity of smoothies has increased to an extent, that it has ceased to be a ‘drink’, and is now being viewed as a meal in itself. ‘Smoothie bowls’, where smoothies are served in giant bowls topped with freshly cut fruits, berries, seeds and nuts are becoming a common feature in delis, cafes and vegan bars. People are also experimenting and new and interesting ingredients such as whey protein, non-dairy milk, nutritional supplements etc. The first-ever smoothie however, was just one of the beverages the origins of which are said to be tied with the invention of electric blender.
The invention of the electric blender created a wide frenzy across North America, Europe and South America. Several models surfaced in the market, some managed to hit the chord, and some failed miserably. Polish-American chemist Stephen Poplawski, the owner of the Stevens Electric Company, started designing drink mixers in 1919, he patented the design in 1922, while also introducing liquefier blender in the same year.
In 1930’s, Louis Hamilton, Chester Beach and Fred Osius produced Poplawski's invention under the brand name Hamilton Beach Company, Fred Osius further improved the appliance, making another advanced blender. He also approached Fred Waring, a popular musician of the time to promote his appliance, Waring didn’t only release his hit “miracle mixer” in 1933 he also financed the appliance and redesigned it, and released his own blender called the Waring Blendor in 1937 which is largely credited to popularising the idea of smoothie in 1940’s, only the idea.
The Health food stores lining the West Coast of the United States began selling smoothies in 1930’s and 40’s, now that they had easy access to these new blenders, however, the term ‘smoothie’ only picked up in mid 1980s in recipes and trademarks.
It would be remiss to not talk about Steve Kuhnau’s contribution to the world of smoothies while charting this fascinating drink’s journey. Kuhnau, a popular soda jerk (a person who sells and serves soft drinks, ice cream, and confectionery at a soda fountain) of his time, was inspired by his own works to create new blended drinks. A lactose-tolerant man himself, Kuhnau, began making concoctions using unique blends of fruit juices, vegetables, protein powder, and vitamins. His smoothie sales picked up so well, that he founded Smoothie King. The Franchise became a hit across United States.
Since then Smoothie has been reimagined in various ways by various fast-food owners. The addition of sweetening agents like chocolate and honey, proved to be a gamechanger in the coming decades, and by 2000s smoothies became an every breakfast staple in households.
