Hello! I'm the barista at 360 Café, here in Alajuela, and today I want to share with you some of my secrets for making a fruit smoothie. I'm not saying this because it's part of my job (well, a little bit, yes), but because smoothies are almost as popular as freshly brewed coffee at our café. And believe me: making a good smoothie is an art… with a touch of science.
1. The weather rules
In Costa Rica, we are fortunate to have fresh fruit year-round. My first piece of advice is to choose fruit based on the climate:
- Hot day? Nothing like a combination of pineapple and basil to cool you down. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion, and basil… well, it just gives it a beach vacation flavor!
- ¿Un día lluvioso y fresco? Prueben con banano y cacao. El banano aporta potasio (bueno para los músculos), y el cacao libera endorfinas, esas hormonas de la felicidad que todos necesitamos cuando la lluvia no nos deja salir
2. Humor is also mixed
Yes, smoothies can be prescribed based on your mood. If someone comes to the cafe feeling like they're feeling Monday, I recommend a mango and passion fruit smoothie: mango provides vitamin C, and passion fruit has relaxing properties. It's like taking a tropical vacation in a glass.
And if they arrive too happy (the kind that talks at 6 in the morning as if it were 12 noon), I suggest a blueberry and strawberry smoothie: antioxidants to maintain that energy, but with a balanced touch of sweetness.
3. Think about the accompaniment
A common mistake is ordering a shake that doesn't go with your meal. Pro tip:
- If you order a casado (rice, beans, meat or chicken, and salad), it's best to have something acidic and light, like orange and pineapple.
- If you're just coming for a homemade cake, then go for something creamier, like soursop with milk.
4. Play with science
Did you know that temperature changes how we perceive sweetness? A colder smoothie needs a little more ripe fruit to taste sweet. So it's not magic when I tell you, "This smoothie tastes better with just enough ice." It's pure science, although we hide it with a smile here.
5. Dare to try crazy combinations
At 360 Café, we love to experiment. Some of our favorite blends:
- Papaya with peppermint (sounds weird, tastes amazing).
- Watermelon with lemon and ginger (a refreshing bomb).
- Pineapple with turmeric and honey (a “super smoothie” full of antioxidants).
In short, a good smoothie isn't just blended fruit: it's weather, humor, science, and creativity in a glass. And the best part is, there's always room for a touch of madness.
So next time you visit 360 Café in Alajuela, let me make you one. Who knows, maybe your smoothie will end up telling more about you than your Instagram account.
From the Barista at 360 Café
