A melon smoothie is a thick beverage made from different types of melon, fresh fruit, and other ingredients. For the most part, smoothies have a rich consistency similar to a milk shake. Due to the fact that they are generally made with real fruit, melon smoothies are nutritious and delicious and, depending on what other ingredients are included, can be naturally low in fat and calories.
Fruit smoothies have been around in the U.S. since the late 1960s and were originally made popular in California. Sometimes described as a yuppie milk shake, the whole idea of the smoothie evolved around the desire for a healthier alternative to the traditional version. Over time, different variations of the smoothie developed, and people started adding all types of fruit as well as other ingredients, such as milk, yogurt, and protein supplements.
People generally make smoothies by placing fresh fruit and ice in a blender and pureeing it into a thick, frosty beverage. Usually, milk or yogurt is added to give the drink more body and a creamy flavor. Sometimes, people will add sugar to make it a little sweeter or other flavors, such as vanilla or almond extract.
As the name suggests, the main ingredient in a melon smoothie is some type of melon. Generally, people use either a cantaloupe or honeydew. These types of melon give the smoothie a sweet, tropical flavor and have enough body and substance to give the beverage its classic richness. Often, individuals add low-fat yogurt or milk to give it a classic, creamy texture. Both cantaloupe and honeydew blend well with other ingredients, such as bananas and strawberries, and consequently, smoothie enthusiasts frequently add other such ingredients to a melon smoothie for the sake of variety.
Some people prefer using watermelon when making a melon smoothie. Due to the fact that watermelon has a higher water content than either honeydew or cantaloupe, a smoothie made with watermelon generally won’t be as thick as those made with other types. Further, many people find that milk or yogurt don’t mix well with the taste of watermelon and, therefore, don’t add those ingredients. Consequently, a watermelon smoothie usually won’t have that extra creaminess.
In addition, because watermelon generally has a very light taste, there are fewer fruits that blend well with it in a smoothie without overpowering the flavor. For that reason, people who prefer watermelon smoothies might add other ingredients that have lighter, citrusy tastes rather than heavier, more robust fruit flavors. For instance, flavors such as lime or orange blend better with watermelon than stronger tastes such as banana or pineapple.
As a caveat, while some types of melon smoothie are made with fresh fruit, others, and especially those made commercially, might include processed or powdered fruit flavors that contain high amounts of additives and other ingredients such as sugar or corn syrup. Consequently, not all smoothies are low in calories and fat. For those looking for a truly nutritious, low-fat, low-calorie treat, making a melon smoothie at home is a great choice.