The idea of a greens powder—vitamins, minerals, and other key nutrients in an easy-to-incorporate powder form—is often more appealing than the taste. It’s an easy way to reap the benefits of fruits and vegetables, with minimal effort. However, especially if you’re a product without any added sugars or sweeteners, greens powder can have a bitter, unpleasant taste that makes taking it more of a challenge than need be.
Here are some easy ways to improve the green, grassy taste without sacrificing nutritional benefits.
Note that each greens powder product is different, so you will want to reference the preparation instructions on the packaging. Some products should not be heated, as high temperatures can damage the nutrients.
Shake (with Ice), Don't Stir
Mixing greens powder with cold water and ice is a simple, proven way to boost the taste with little effort. Simply mix the designated measurements of water and greens powder with a few ice cubes in a shaker bottle, close the lid, and shake vigorously for at least 20 to 30 seconds. The powder can settle quickly, so drink the mixture immediately.
Why does this work? Cold temperatures may suppress the sensitivity of our taste buds, so we taste fewer flavors with a cold beverage. The cold masks the bitterness (at least for a moment), and makes it easier to sip (or chug).
Blend It Up in a Smoothie
Blending greens powder into a smoothie can mask the flavor in two ways: by making the mixture cold and adding other tasty ingredients.
Boost the fiber and nutrition of the greens powder by adding a serving to a high-speed blender with some ice cubes, half of a banana, a handful of frozen strawberries, one pitted date, a handful of spinach, a tablespoon of nut butter, and a splash of unsweetened almond milk.
Chocolate flavors may also improve the taste of the bitter greens powder, so throw in an extra teaspoon of cacao powder for an added flavor and nutrient boost.
Mix with Your Favorite Sweeter Beverage
To add sweetness to a typically bitter, grassy drink, swap the water for your favorite flavored liquid. Skip juice with artificial sweeteners and opt for something like coconut water or 100% orange juice.
Make your greens powder and juice blend into a fancy mocktail by shaking it with ice in a shaker bottle and serving it in a co*cktail glass.
Try Some Bubbles (and a Splash of Juice)
If you’re not a fan of the added sugar in regular juice or prefer a bubbly beverage, mix greens powder with your go-to sparkling water and add a splash of 100% juice.
Using a shaker bottle may be the best way to adequately mix the greens powder with the juice and sparkling water, as the powder tends to clump when mixed with the seltzer using a spoon. Before serving, open the lid to the shaker bottle slowly to let some of the air escape.
Make Popsicles
Take your greens powder to the next level by making it into a sweet, cold treat. Mix up your greens powder with your favorite juice or smoothie blend and pour it into popsicle molds. Freeze for a few hours, or overnight, and enjoy.
You may need to buy a popsicle mold for this (if you don't already have one), but they are easily available to purchase online.
Add It to an Energy Bite Recipe
Boost the nutrition of your go-to energy bite recipe with a scoop of greens powder. You may need to play with how much greens powder you add in, as the taste can be overpowering. A small scoop, or approximately 1 tablespoon, may be an appropriate measure to start with.
Mix 1 cup oats, 2 tablespoons flaxseed, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon greens powder in a medium bowl. Add ½ cup nut butter, ⅓ maple syrup, ½ cup nut butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well, adding more nut butter as needed to create a sticky consistency. Roll into balls and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Combine it with Your Go-to Warm Beverage
Not a fan of ice-cold beverages? Add greens powder to your favorite soup, tea, or latte. Note that the nutrients in greens powders, such as vitamins, may be destroyed at high heat, so be sure to use hot beverages or soups that are below 140F.
If you choose to add the supplement to your soup, make sure your greens powder doesn’t have any sweeteners or flavorings that may interfere with the savory dish. Swap your afternoon coffee for a kicked-up matcha latte blended with a scoop of greens powder. You’ll get an energy boost with a nutrient-packed punch.
Sprinkle It Into Oatmeal or Overnight Oats
Take your oatmeal up a notch by mixing a small amount of greens powder into it. You will want to let the oatmeal cool slightly before mixing the powder in to prevent damaging the heat-sensitive nutrients.
Play around with the amount of greens powder you add, starting with a teaspoon and seeing how it tastes. If you’re worried about the heat, mix up some overnight oats by combining the following ingredients in a mason jar: 1 mashed banana, ½ cup oats, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 1 teaspoon greens powder, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup. Mix and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy as is, or top with fresh berries and a drizzle of nut butter for satiating protein and healthy fats.
If you don't own a mason jar, you can easily make overnight oats in a bowl or Tupperware with a lid. However, if you want to invest in mason jars, they are easily available to purchase online.
Swirl It Into a Yogurt Bowl
Greens powder is a welcome addition to your usual yogurt bowl. In fact, the dietary fat in yogurt can help to promote the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins K, A, D, and E that are found in a greens powder. Simply sprinkle a small amount of greens powder on top of a serving of your favorite plain, unsweetened greek yogurt and mix well. Top with fresh fruit to sweeten, such as banana slices and blueberries, and add crushed walnuts for an omega-3 crunch.
Mix It Into Hummus
Next time you blend up hummus at home, consider adding a scoop of unsweetened, unflavored greens powder. Simply blend 1 can of cooked, rinsed, and drained chickpeas, the juice of 1 lemon, ½ cup tahini, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon greens powder. Drizzle in olive oil until the desired consistency is achieved. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin.
If you don’t have the time to make your own hummus, you can always mix a bit of greens powder into your favorite pre-made hummus product.
Mash It Into Guacamole
Avocado really does make everything taste better, including greens powder. Next time you’re making guacamole, sprinkle in some greens powder. While you’ll want to use a small amount of the greens powder to ensure you’re not overpowering the taste of the guacamole, you’ll reap some of the nutritional benefits. Just make sure your greens powder doesn’t have any sweeteners or flavorings that might compete with the savory, spicy flavor of the guacamole.
Dress Up Your Salad Dressing
Amplify the nutritional benefits of your salad by adding a dash of greens powder to your favorite salad dressing recipe. The tangy, grassy taste of the greens is easily masked by the salad ingredients. For an easy salad dressing, mix 1 minced shallot, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon greens powder. Whisk well or place in a mason jar and shake to combine.
For more recommended greens powders, check out the expert picks in our Best Greens Powders roundup.
