You know I’m into coconut everything, so I’m slightly embarrassed that it’s only been in these past few months that I’ve discovered coconut water. It was love at first sip though and I immediately made it my mission to test out all the brands available in the UK (that I could get hold of at least).
If you don’t know about coconut water yet, here’s a bit of info:
It’s simply the water you find inside fresh young coconuts. It’s slightly sweet and seriously refreshing. There’s some science behind that too. Coconut water is what’s called isotonic. This means it contains essential salts and minerals in a concentration and proportion very similar to those found in human cells and is therefore very easily absorbed to rapidly replenish and hydrate the body. Pretty snazzy, no?
It’s especially great for athletes or just for anyone looking for a refreshing drink on a hot day.
Now, since coconuts obviously don’t grow over here, they have to come over from Thailand or other coconut growing countries [N.B. I was pleased to see iNVO’s focus on sustainable farming . Something particularly important in less-developed countries which are susceptible to exploitation by the West]. To preserve the coconut water for its journey, most companies pasteurize it using heat so it’s actually no longer raw and the delicate compounds are significantly altered.
Not so with iNVO coconut water! The winning brand in my testing! iNVO uses pressure instead of heat, a unique method which keeps it tasting incredibly fresh. It’s the closest you’re going to get to sticking a straw in a fresh coconut!
See that pretty pink colour? That’s proof that it’s never ever heated. It turns pink due to the oxidation of the polyphenolics (antioxidants!) naturally present in the coconut water.
iNVO also comes in Thai Lime and Pineapple flavours (just fruit juice added, nothing else) which are equally delicious. Beyond drinking the stuff straight from the bottle, I love using coconut water in smoothies, and this is one of my very favourites. It’s perfect for when you want something super refreshing and nutritious. Like when you’ve had too much chocolate peanut butter pie…
An Apple, Avocado & Basil Smoothie might sound a little wacky but I promise it’s delicious. Fresh herbs are full of nutrition too so it makes sense to load up on them and not just reserve them for garnishes. I find basil slightly sweet so it’s particularly good paired with fruit.
Avocado, cucumber, apple and lemon all lend something of their own- creamy, cooling, sweet and cleansing!
Ingredients
- 1 Medium apple
- Handful of basil
- 1/2 C Coconut water
- 1/4 Cucumber (3"), washed but no need to peel
- 1 Tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp Coconut nectar (optional)
- 1/2 Ripe avocado
- 1/3 C Ice
Instructions
- Blend all the ingredients, except the avocado and ice, in a high-powered blender until the basil is fully broken down. Add the avocado and ice and blend again until smooth and creamy.
- Serve immediately.
You can find iNVO both in the UK and USA. In the US, check out Jamba Juice and Whole Foods market, and in the UK, you’ll find it in Harrods, Pod, Crussh Juice Bars, As Nature Intended and various other shops and cafés, as well as online from Goodness Direct.
Let me know if you agree that it’s the best coconut water on the market right now!
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[Disclosure: iNVO provided me with some free samples for review purposes but I received no other compensation and, as always, all opinions are my own]
Thanks for the recipe and the tip Emma. I live in NYC and will try to find Invo coconut water at Jamba Juice or Whole Foods (there is a Jamba Juice around the corner from where I work).
Great! Hope you manage to get hold of some. It’s seriously good quality and so so tasty 😉
I love iNVO, tastes amazing!
Is it the best you’ve tried? I feel like you’ve probably tried even more brands than I have!
I was wondering just this morning how apple would go in a smoothie - you have answered my question and given me a use for my window ledge basil all in one hit
Sadly I don’t like coconut water at all, but I would love this with water or almond milk.
Apple is definitely good in smoothies. It doesn’t have the creaminess that bananas do but the avocado takes care of that in this smoothie. Have you tried coconut water in smoothies, even if you don’t like it straight up? It just adds a subtle sweetness and makes them taste extra fresh.
Here’s another apple smoothie of mine- a little more decadent though…
http://www.coconutandberries.com/2014/04/10/raw-caramel-apple-swirl-smoothie/
Ooh, I had forgotten about that caramel apple smoothie, despite intending to make it at the time. Thank you
And, I actually haven’t tried coconut water in smoothies so perhaps I should give it a go.
Oooh, thanks for the heads up. I didn’t realise that about the heating process! :-/
Yeh, lame isn’t it? Almost all the coconut water you find is heat pasteurized.
I hope iNVO start doing larger size bottles or carton. I need to suggest that to them actually!
I was grossed out at the coconut water I bought one time, but I don’t remember the brand. I’m guessing I would totally love it in a smoothie though, by itsef I wasn’t a fan. This smoothie, however, looks so gorgeous and delicious! I loooove apples in my smoothies, it makes them so naturally sweet! I haven’t gotten brave enough for the avocado in a smoothie. I’m real weird with tasting avocado or beans or things like that in sweet things. I’ve tried avocado pudding before and didn’t like it at all. Can you taste the avocado in this real strong? It’s such a pretty color!
Even if you don’t like coconut water straight up I’m sure you’d like it in a smoothie. Nice alternative to non-dairy milk or plain water.
I’m surprised you didn’t like avocado pudding. Did you do chocolate? You should try Dreena Burton’s Chocolate Orange Pudding. The orange covers up any hint of avo and it’s sweetened with dates which gives it a wonderful thick, rich texture. http://plantpoweredkitchen.com/orange-chocolate-pudding/
As for the smoothie, I don’t think you can taste it particularly, but then I’m not sure it would bother me if I could…;)
That DOES sound wacky, in the best of ways:D I’ve yet to try basil with fruit, but I’ve seen quite a few recipes calling for the strawberry-basil combination, so it looks as though a lot of people agree on the matter.
My sister’s a big fan, but I have a weird reaction to coconut water - I tend to like it for the first few sips and then suddenly not like it anymore?? Don’t ask me how that even works. Although when I had it straight from a coconut it was just like-like-like all the way through… this invo stuff sounds closer to that. Will have to hunt for it next time I’m in a specialist food shop:)
The iNVO stuff is pretty much just like coconut water from a coconut so you’ll almost certainly like it!
haha to the wacky smoothie 😉 Basil really is so delicious with fruit. Check out this salad of mine: http://www.coconutandberries.com/2013/07/10/nectarine-salad-with-blackberry-dressing-basil-hazelnuts/
I haven’t tasted Invo yet, though I do agree that not all coconut water is created equal! Just a note though, despite what the companies tell you, coconut water isn’t ideal for hydration when you are truly dehydrated; it is great for potassium but not other salts like sodium and magnesium. The topic is a bit of a bugbear of mine 😉 Your smoothie does look and sound delicious though no matter what your hydration levels!
Thanks for the info Claire. I wasn’t aware of that. It certainly tastes super refreshing even if it’s not fully hydrating like regular water. Obviously I mostly just drink water but coconut water is a nice treat
Not sure that my blender could cope with blending an apple but I do love the sound of this smoothie
If you use frozen fruit in smoothies, I’m sure an apple is no more challenging for the blender!
I’m planning on making it again later today but with mint
I didn’t know all that about coconut water! I’ve seen a few recipes using herbs in smoothies and desserts but I’m a wee bit scared of trying it (except for mint, which I have tried and liked).
Nothing to be afraid of! I actually love the slightly less conventional herbs in smoothies as well. Mango with fresh coriander or parsley is a favourite!