12 Best Berries for Smoothies (Delicious & Healthiest Berries)
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That doesn’t mean that they can’t get tedious, however. If you’re starting to dread your daily smoothie, it may be time to spice it up with new fruits.
Of course, you don’t want to sacrifice nutrition in the name of health. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 12 berries to include in your smoothies. These fruits will make your drinks taste fantastic, and they’re positively bursting with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The 12 Best Berries for Smoothies:
1. Blueberries
This isn’t exactly a revelation, but there’s a reason that blueberries are a smoothie staple.
They’re absolutely loaded with antioxidants, which can help your body fight inflammation, lower blood pressure, and improve brain function, among other things. Also, their slightly tart flavor pairs well with a variety of other ingredients, so you can dress them up or down in many different ways.
- Pair them with: Mangoes, citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples, figs, other berries
2. Mulberries
Mulberries aren’t used as often as blueberries, but they’re just as tasty and nearly as nutritious.
They’re fantastic for your heart and can reduce the incidence of blood clots, lower your risk of cancer, and improve your cholesterol. They also have a mild flavor that acts as a great base; you can then layer other fruits on top of them (they pair especially well with citrus).
- Pair them with: Blueberries, raspberries, yogurt, milk, bananas, almond butter, cocoa powder, citrus fruits
3. Acai Berries
While they were the subject of a weight-loss fad a few years ago that was more hype than anything, acai berries are nevertheless fantastic for you.
You’ll usually find them frozen or pureed, and they have earthy undertones that pair well with other ingredients (and work well in breakfast bowls). They have even more antioxidants than superfoods like cranberries and blueberries.
- Pair them with: Papayas, bananas, pears, apples, other berries
- Related Read: 5 Best Blenders For Acai Bowl – Reviews & Guide
4. Raspberries
Raspberries are another common smoothie ingredient, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook them.
They’re great for controlling your blood sugar, and they can help with arthritis and maybe even slow down the aging process. Even better, they allow you to change up the flavor of your smoothie, as they start tart but get sweeter as they ripen, so you can enjoy new flavors every day of the week.
- Pair them with: Grapefruit, blackberries, lemons, plums, apricots, nectarines, peaches, grapes
5. Goji Berries
You’ll usually find goji berries sold in dried form, which helps them keep longer, so you don’t have to be in a rush to use them.
They have a sweet-and-sour taste that can be rather strong, so they’re likely to dominate other flavors. That’s okay, though, because they’re absolutely delicious without any help from other ingredients. They can also boost your eyesight, give you more energy, and fight inflammation.
- Pair them with: Strawberries, kiwi, bananas, dark chocolate, oranges, peaches
6. Cranberries
If you like a bit of bite in your smoothies, a few cranberries can really give it some tang.
While they definitely have a sour kick, they match it with their health benefits. Cranberries are fantastic for preventing urinary tract infections, can slow the growth of cancer cells, and aid in the digestive process. You’ll need to mix in a sweetener with them, but the results are well worth it.
- Pair them with: Apples, beets, ginger, cinnamon, pineapples, oranges, pears, goji berries
7. Strawberries
While you’d probably be tempted to eat an entire container of strawberries before you even got around to making your smoothie, you should save a few for the drink.
They certainly taste fantastic, and they add a ton of sweetness to every concoction. However, they’re also loaded with vitamin C and folate, making them especially good for those who are pregnant or nursing. Beyond that, they can boost metabolism, improve heart health, and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.
- Pair them with: pineapples, mangoes, apples, bananas, kiwi, citruses, rhubarb, other berries
8. Blackberries
Blackberries are another sweet fruit, but they also have a slight tartness to them, which adds complexity to their flavor profile.
They’re packed with important nutrients like iron and calcium and are loaded with fiber. They can improve brain function, bolster your digestive system, and turbocharge your immune system. If you freeze a blackberry puree, it will last up to six months when frozen, allowing you to enjoy blackberry smoothies again and again.
- Pair them with: Cinnamon, ginger, apricots, apples, mangoes, citruses, other berries, vanilla, hazelnuts, almonds
9. Boysenberries
If you enjoy blackberries in your smoothies, consider adding boysenberries instead. They’re just as healthy, and they taste like a cross between blackberries and raspberries.
The end result is an intense flavor with some sweetness and a great deal of tang. They’re stuffed with fiber, have plenty of vitamin K, and include other minerals like iron, potassium, and manganese. They can prevent kidney stones, strengthen your bones, and improve your skin quality.
- Pair them with: Bananas, kiwis, blueberries, chia seeds, yogurt, raspberries
10. Aronia Berries
Also known as “chokeberries,” these sweet-and-sour fruits may be harder to find, but the effort will be well worth it.
They’re jam-packed with antioxidants, making them ideal for combating inflammatory diseases. They may also help reduce the length and severity of colds, protect your cells from free radical damage, and reduce bacterial growth.
- Pair them with: Pineapples, mangoes, strawberries, apples, blueberries, acai berries, bananas
11. Huckleberries
Huckleberries are another fairly obscure fruit, but if you can get your hands on some, you’ll have the perfect addition to your next smoothie.
They’re especially good for those who are expecting, as they can guard against prenatal health problems. Beyond that, they’re chock-full of vitamin C, allowing them to boost your immune response and safeguard your body from conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and peptic ulcers. Best of all, though, they offer the perfect balance of sweet and tart, helping them to dress up any smoothie recipe.
- Pair them with: Bananas, cinnamon, other berries, yogurt, citruses, figs, raisins, vanilla, nutmeg
12. Lingonberries
While they’re a staple food in many Nordic countries, lingonberries aren’t quite as ubiquitous everywhere else. That’s too bad because these fantastic fruits are delicious and wonderfully nutritious.
Lingonberries are excellent for your immune system, and eating a few is a great way to help you get over a cold. They can also promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, and they’re good for your heart.
As for their taste, they have an intensely sour flavor, so you have to be in the right frame of mind to add them to your smoothie. But it’s a great way to wake yourself up in the morning.
- Pair them with: Bananas, yogurt, other berries, honey, maple syrup, almonds, chia seeds, citruses, cardamom
What’s in Your Next Smoothie?
Every single berry on this list will give your next smoothie a powerful boost of vitamins and antioxidants, helping to keep your body in tip-top working condition.
While that’s a nice benefit, we know the real reason that these berries will find their way into your recipe book: They taste so fantastic, you’ll forget that you’re actually eating healthy food.
And to make the most of your smoothie making experience, be sure to check out our favorite single-serve blenders. They make it fast and quick for creating smoothies and faster for clean up!
Also, we highly recommend the Northwest Berry & Grape Information Network if you want to learn more about growing your own berries.
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