Pineapple Shake (Smoothies)

The other day I purchased some locally grown fruits composed of pineapple, banana and avocado. The pineapple is quite large that after having some for our group’s dessert, I still have sufficient quantity to make a decent shake or smoothie. Since it has been a while since I posted the beverage Mango-Papaya Shake; I thought a pineapple smoothie is just the right drinks for the next post about healthy fresh fruit shakes.

Pineapple, native to the southern part of Brazil and Paraguay, is among the most commercially important plants grown worldwide. Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand and Philippines dominates world production with close to 4,000 millions tons combined harvests per year. It is the Spanish who introduced the bromeliad fruit to the Philippines and Hawaii in the 19th century. The Philippines with its vast plantations of the plants remains among the top exporters of fresh pineapple.

Pineapple is eaten fresh or canned and is extensively available as a juice or in juice combinations. It is used in desserts, salads, as a complement to meat dishes and in fruit cocktail. While sweet, it is known for its high acid content, perhaps malic and/or citric. It is a good source of manganese as well as containing significant amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin B1. So just like the “Guyabano” Shake I posted before, this beverage is must drinks for the whole family.

There are about seven common cultivar varieties of the tropical fruit. The variety popular in Sri Lanka locally known as “annasi” is quite different from the type common in the Philippine market called “pina”. While I find the Sri Lankan type crunchier, the ones in the Philippines are sweeter and juicier. Both varieties though are distinctly delicious and excellent culinary ingredients.

For a single blending good for about 2 tall glasses, the few ingredients you will need are about 2 cups of peeled and sliced pineapple, ¼ cup sugar syrup (or you can just dissolve 3 tbsp white sugar in ¼ cup hot water), 1 cup cold water, 2 tbsp powdered milk and about 1 tray ice cube, about 12 pieces.

To make, just put everything into the blender, cover tightly and pulse it several times until the ice cube and fruits are broken down and blended evenly with the other ingredients.

Pulse it a couple of times more until a smooth, rich and creamy consistency is attained. Don’t over mix.

Pour the drinks into tall glasses and serve. It’s truly refreshing. Enjoy! c“,)