Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

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Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

If you have been reading Tasty Yummies for sometime, you know since moving to California 3 years ago, my infatuation love of figs runs very deep. The beautiful, big fig tree that we were blessed with, when we moved into this home, is one of the most magical gifts mother nature has ever given to me. The fig tree is a actually a long-standing symbol of abundance, fertility and sweetness, which is obviously quite fitting. Boy, does this tree produce in abundance! The only bad thing however, is just how short the season is. It’s over in a flash. Middle of the summer and that’s it.

While we are still a month or so off from fresh figs, it doesn’t mean that I don’t crave those lusciously sweet fruits. Which is why California dried figs are the very next best thing. Available year round, from Valley Fig Growers, you can stay stocked up on your California dried figs throughout the off-seasons and continue to reap all of the many benefits of this super fruit.

Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

Beyond being another of nature’s candies, figs are also an incredible source of calcium, a 3 ounce portion of California dried figs has 100 mg of calcium, very comparable to a same size serving of milk. California dried figs in general are fairly rich in potassium, a great mineral for controlling blood pressure. As most people consume far too much sodium by way of processed foods, often times potassium is deficient as a result, that coupled with high sodium can lead to hypertension. Figs are also a great source of dietary fiber, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper and manganese. They are also good energy foods, support blood formation and, when soaked and rehydrated, California dried figs are helpful to intestinal function.

Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

For me, there are endless tantalizing flavor combinations that bring out the beautiful and inherent sweetness of figs, but one of my absolute favorites is spicy, warming chai spices paired with the fig  along with creamy coconut. These three flavors together are magical! This particular smoothie is the perfect way to start a day, but I will tell you, the sweetness from the California dried figs makes this smoothie almost more reminiscent of a dessert shake. It’s sinfully perfect – thick, luscious, creamy, spicy and sweet.

Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

[print_this]Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie {gluten-free, vegan, paleo}
Serves 1-2

  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup strongly brewed chai tea, chilled (homemade chai concentrate works great)
  • 1 frozen banana, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 4-6 California Dried Mission Figs, stems removed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • pinch sea salt
  • unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut, for serving

Optional boosts: collagen peptides or other protein source, coconut oil, ground flaxseed, greens or green powder.

Add all of the ingredients to a high speed blender. Blend until thick and creamy. Adjust seasonings and sweetness as necessary. Top with shredded coconut and a pinch of ground cinnamon.

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RECIPE NOTES: I suggest starting with four California dried figs and adjusting and adding more to reach your desired level of sweetness.

 

Sources:

Staying Healthy with Nutrition, The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine by Elson M. Haas, Buck Levin

The World’s Healthiest Foods 

Coconut Chai Fig Smoothie

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Valley Fig Growers.  All content, ideas and words are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Tasty Yummies.

 

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11 Responses

  1. I LOVE figs. This sounds so delicious!

  2. So jealous of your fig tree! Growing up in the Midwest, I only ever had dried figs and I thought I hated them. I finally got my hands on fresh figs a few years ago and it was a game changer! I now appreciate dried figs so much more now that I know what they taste like fresh.

  3. Dawn says:

    Hi there,
    Can soy milk be used for this recipe?

    • Beth @ Tasty Yummies says:

      Sure, any non-dairy milk would work, but it will be less rich and creamy, without the coconut milk.

  4. Sylvie says:

    That sounds fantastic, especially with chai tea in the mix!

  5. Antonietta says:

    This looks wonderful and sounds delicious, I will try it!

  6. I’m so jealous that you have a fig tree nearby. I miss having one just outside my window down in FL. There’s nothing like freshly picked figs. I’d dry all of them and keep on eating them all year long.

  7. Greta says:

    Do you use the canned coconut milk variety or like the kind from a carton? I never know which one to use when recipes call for coconut milk Thanks!

    • Beth @ Tasty Yummies says:

      In this particular instance either one would work, which is why I didn’t specify, though I personally prefer the taste and the richness of canned full-fat coconut milk. Hope that helps 😉 Thanks.

  8. Cat G. says:

    Oh this sounds yummy! I’m a grapefruit in the morning lady, and need Variety….LIKE NOW! hehehe Can’t wait to whip this baby up! 🙂

  9. Romona says:

    Freeze the fresh figs whole and enjoy them year round. I use them in my smoothies!

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