A smoothie is a beverage made by puréeing ingredients in a blender.
A smoothie commonly has a liquid base, such as fruit juice or milk, yogurt
or ice cream.
Other ingredients may be added, including fruits,
vegetables, non-dairy milk, crushed ice, whey powder or nutritional
supplements.
Health food stores on the West Coast of the United States began selling
smoothies with the invention of the electric blender.
The actual term "smoothie" was being used in recipes and trademarks by the
mid-1980s.
In the 1960s Steve Kuhnau was inspired by his work as a soda jerk and
began experimenting with smoothies.
They were an alternative for the lactose intolerant Kuhnau to taste his
own concoctions using unique blends of fruit juices, vegetables, protein
powder, and vitamins.