Spirulina can be a culinary wonder when you know what to do with it! This guide shows you how to make spirulina taste good enough to eat daily!
The green wonder that is spirulina is such a great addition to your diet. This food has so many benefits, but the flavor is not necessarily one of them! Fortunately, there are some really easy ways to level up spirulina so that you will not be able to get enough of this stuff!
What is Spirulina?
This vibrantly colored supplement is made from a mixture of green and blue algae. This is an ancient food known to be collected for consumption as early as during the Aztec civilization. Spirulina is considered a superfood thanks to its abundance of copper, iron, and vitamins B1,2, and 3.
A little bit of spirulina can help set you up for success, but its flavor is very bitter. Luckily, this superfood comes in powders and tablets that can be worked into other foods to mask an undesirable flavor.
Common Uses for Spirulina
This super alga is used for its anti-inflammatory properties from the plant-based proteins contained in this superfood. It is also loved for its magnesium content, which helps regular muscle function. It is also said that spirulina helps reduce your cholesterol absorption, so eating a little spirulina can make your whole body run more smoothly.
To get these benefits without the bitter flavor of this bright green plant, spirulina is often worked into other recipes. This guide will help you find fun ways to use spirulina that taste delicious!
How to Make Spirulina Taste Good
The benefits of spirulina are indisputable, but its flavor can be a little rough. Have fun making spirulina into something you can eat on the regular with these delicious dupes!
Smooth it Out
One of the all-time best ways to use spirulina is in a smoothie. Smoothies have so much going on already that hiding a little bitter plant flavor is no problem. Mix up a blend of strawberries, mangos, peaches, and spirulina for a summer breeze with a real hint of the ocean, but don’t worry, you won’t taste it! There is no limit to the flavor combinations you can use with this fun spirulina trick!
Green up Yogurt
Yogurt has the perfect tang to cover up the bitter vegetable flavor or spirulina. Mixing a little of the green powder into a bowl of yogurt can be the perfect nutrition booster to start your day with. You can try this trick with any type of yogurt, but if you really want to mask the spirulina choose a bolder flavored yogurt. A tangy greek yogurt with berries can be a great choice to pair with spirulina. Get creative and mix up different flavors until you find yogurt that you love to eat with the green stuff!
Jump into Juice
Just like smoothies, juices are a great place to hide veggies from picky eaters of all ages. Both powered and tablet forms of spirulina work well in juices, but the tablets must be broken with a spoon or straw. Try juicing your own fresh juice or head to the produce section of a fresh juice. Choosing the fresher and less filtered juices helps to mask any undesirable flavor and texture added from the spirulina. Berry makes a great cover for the flavor, but choose whatever flavors you like!
Grassify Granola
There is something so fun about making products you would typically buy in-store from scratch. One great, typically store-bought item you could be making at home and using spirulina in is granola. It is super easy to make granola from scratch, and if you make your own, you can work with all sorts of flavor and health-boosting ingredients, like spirulina.
Grab some oats, nuts, dried fruit, oil, honey, and of course, spirulina (powdered works best, otherwise grind the tablets), and follow these steps to make your own green granola:
- Preheat an oven to 325°F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, heat the oil and honey just to warm, and mix in the spirulina until homogenous.
- Toss the dried ingredients into the honey mixture until coated.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in a flat, even layer.
- Baked until golden brown, about 40-50 minutes; stir once halfway through.
- Cool the granola completely, then enjoy it plain or as a topping.
Sassy Salads
One excellent way to use spirulina that doesn’t require much dressing up is in a salad. Thanks to the earthy vegetable flavors already in the salad, the spirulina kind of disappears. Mix a little powdered spirulina into an oil-based dressing, like lemon vinaigrette, for a farm-fresh way to enjoy this powerful green powder!
F.A.Q.
How Often Should I Eat Spirulina?
This awesome body booster can be eaten every day. Try to consume 5 grams or less per day of this verdant powder or tablet.
Is Spirulina Good For Pregnant Women?
Yes, if taken in an appropriate dosage, spirulina is great for a mother and a growing baby. Spirulina has folic acid and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that all contribute to brain growth for mother and child. When consumed mindfully, spirulina can be a great addition to almost any diet.
Final Thoughts
Spirulina is an amazing food with so many excellent health benefits. Adding this green wonder to your diet is a no-brainer, but its flavor needs a little finesse. Use these fun tips and your own creativity to craft delicious treats that incorporate healthy spirulina. Have fun combining one or more tips to make the perfect body-boosting spirulina dish.
