Ever tried a kopi banana smoothie? This refreshing blended beverage is perfect for a little morning buzz, and it is packed with nutrients thanks to its rich ingredients.
Bananas are a great source of potassium and vitamins, and are low in fat and calories. Dates are chockful of vitamins, calcium, fibre, magnesium and potassium, and they have great anti-inflammatory benefits. Note, however, that they are 80% sugar, making them unsuitable for diabetics.
Meanwhile, milk is good for the bones as it’s a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which helps produce serotinin to lift one’s mood. Vegans or those who are lactose intolerant can swap out the milk for a soy or nut-based alternative.
Best of all, the caffeine in the coffee could provide a 45-minute mental and energy boost. For an extra chill factor, pre-make the coffee and freeze into ice cubes before blending!
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 teaspoon kopi (local coffee) powder steeped in 60ml hot water and cooled
- 1-2 pitted dates
- 120ml milk
Method
- Place the frozen banana, dates, and steeped, cooled kopi in a high-power blender. It’s best to filter the kopi through a sieve to remove leftover coffee powder.
- Blend until smooth. Stop and add the milk, then blend again until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Serve immediately while still cold.
Tips
- Get all ingredients ready before bringing out the frozen banana and chilled milk or they will warm up, spoiling the smoothie.
- Temperature is key to making delicious smoothies – it must be cold. Add a little ice or use frozen kopi cubes during the blending process. Serve the smoothie in a chilled or glass.
- Dates vary in sweetness, so adjust the quantity as needed. If the banana is very sweet, feel free to leave the dates out.
- Local kopi powder can be swapped with espresso or other coffee powder.
- Put the hardest ingredients at the bottom of the blender so they are closest to the blades. The coffee liquid will help to smoothen the blending process.
This article first appeared in butterkicap.com, a food and culture platform and community that enables anyone to experience Malaysia through stories of her people, food and places.