Cardamom Mango Coconut Smoothie
This cardamom mango coconut smoothie is on heavy rotation since I’ve moved back to L.A.
I’m basking in the extraordinary variety of fresh local produce on offer at the various farmer’s markets in town. I’d forgotten how exquisite the fruits and vegetables are here. And, it is so lovely to be back in the loving embrace of my sacred circle of friends out here.
When I lived in L.A while I was a college student at UCLA I scoffed more than my fair share of fresh fruit as I was touring the various markets. I am determined to deliver an encore performance during my return season!
The markets out here are feasts for the senses, and provide endless inspiration for story-telling in the kitchen. I picked up some gorgeous plump ripe mangoes and was compelled to recreate the mango coconut smoothie I devoured at my favorite smoothie bar in Kauai about 8 years ago.
I’ve fortified this mango coconut smoothie with radish greens. The tops of red radishes are surprisingly mild in flavor and the tops of one bunch of radishes (about 1 cup) goes into most smoothies containing sweet fruits undetected.
Radish greens are not sold separately, so rage on with the roots in salads and throw the greens into your shakes. The leaves are usually covered in soil, so wash them thoroughly to avoid a gritty mouthfeel or a glass full of dirt. Radish greens are chock-full of vitamins A, C, and K, protein, and minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium to purify the blood; boost bone, kidney, and heart health; and keep our skin, hair, and nails looking gorgeous.
But, the magic flavorful ingredient in this blend is the cardamom which adds an exquisite flavor to smoothies. This sweet camphor-like crusader does like to be the star and she can easily overwhelm other ingredients even when used in tiny amounts. I start with a pinch and find that 1/8 or a 1/4 of a teaspoon usually strikes a nice balance. Cardamom is exquisite paired with rose water, yogurt, milk, and banana; and is mindblowing with peach, apricot, berries, pear, coconut, and mango. It’s also spectacular as part of a chai-spice blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
Enjoy this blend while I head off to experiment with the other 55 fruits on offer at the market today. Look out California fresh produce….my blender carriage is a’comin!
Find more delicious smoothie recipes in The Blender Girl Smoothies book.
*Probiotic Powder – I add 1/2 teaspoon of probiotic powder to all smoothies to replenish stores of healthy bacteria for immunity, digestion, detox, and to balance the acidic effects of high-sugar fruits and other sweeteners. The really potent probiotics require refrigeration. If you have capsules, break the shell and release the powder. Unsweetened probiotic-rich liquids like kefirs (water, coconut water, milk varieties) or kombucha make wonderful health-promoting additions to shakes, too.
Other Coconut Smoothies
Coconut Curry Mango Green Smoothie
Banana Coconut Cream Pie Smoothie
Pineapple Coconut Smoothie
Coconut Mango Banana Spinach Smoothie
Mango Smoothie Bowl
Let me know what you think of this cardamom mango coconut smoothie in the comments!
Your feedback is important, and it helps me decide which recipes to post next for you.
Comments 15
This is REALLY good, Thanks! I didn’t have the oranges, so I used orange juice and it was still really good…
Hi Tess, first of all your website design is cool and easy to navigate. Love the categories icons on right hand side. Overall it’s nice layout! 🙂
Mango-coconut smoothies…slurrrpppp…!
Cant wait to try this, as everything, I am sure it is a heaven sent! New web design is awesome! Thank you for being here!
bliss it sure is!!! And EASY too.
Gotta love mangoes and coconut together. This is delish!
Clarification needed
Since i think you said you are an Aussie,
I want to know what you mean by coconut water,
Is it the clear water inside the coconut before you open it,
Or is it the white extract you make from the white meal of the coconut, sometimes called coconut cream? Thanks.
Hey Nati
I am an Aussie and Yes, I mean the clear water inside the coconut. Lots of my recipes use coconut cream (or coconut milk ). But this recipe uses the water. Thanks for following 🙂
This smoothie really is the perfect combination for a refreshing summer drink! Absolutely delicious.
I was a little skeptical of this recipe at first. I really don’t like mangos….but this was amazing!!!
I have a life long aversion to bananas. (Yes, even as an infant.) I suspect I may be allergic to them. My question is: What suggestions do you have for substituting bananas in things like smoothies? Thanks!!!
Hey Colleen
My favourite way to thicken and cream up healthy smoothies is with avocado.
You could also add fresh coconut meat and coconut water, or organic non gmo silken tofu.
Raw nuts such as cashews, macadamias, almonds or Brazil nuts cream and thicken smoothies too.
All of these options will yield a smoothie of a different personality to bananas.
But a lot less sugar.
For sweetening smoothies, try dates, raisins, raw agave or yacon syrup.
Please feel free to email me (email in FAQ section) for any support or additional suggestions.
How do you freeze your bananas? After ripened, before ripened, with peel or without?
I do it two ways:
I just throw the whole banana into the door of the freezer and run it under cold water before cutting to use in smoothies.
Or I peel them, roll them in a little lemon juice and freeze them in plastic freezer bags or containers.
Love this recipe! I make a shake every morning to take to work, and whizzed this one up in my Vitamix the other day. The taste was amazing and considering I substituted coconut water for water and added no additional sugars or essence, it was DElicious!!! I am loving my new Vitamix and thankyou for the recipes 🙂
Oh, I am so pleased you are enjoying the recipes. I really love this one too 🙂