Refreshing Berry Smoothie with Sprouted Wheat

The lingonberries and black currants give this refreshing berry smoothie its pink color and make it a good source of antioxidants.

Lingonberries: Lingonberries have a tart flavor and are rich in vitamins and minerals. The best time to pick lingonberries is around the end of August to the beginning of September. Some varieties have a second crop that is ready to be picked later in September or in October. The presence of anthocyanins in lingonberries is one possible reason why the fruit helps protect against urinary tract and biliary duct infections, rheumatic diseases, and gout.

Sprouting wheat: You can purchase wheat berries for sprouting in some grocery stores, health food stores, and online. It’s not at all hard to sprout wheat yourself. Soak the wheat berries in cold water for 8 to 12 hours. Drain, rinse with water, and drain again. Repeat rinsing and draining at least twice a day. The wheat berries will begin to sprout within one to three days after they are soaked. During the sprouting process, the enzymes multiply and the starch converts to sugar. Proteins convert back to their amino acid building blocks, while at the same time the vitamin and mineral content increases. Since the water content of the wheat berries increases, sprouted wheat contains a lower percentage of calories and fat. Sprouted wheat is rich in fiber and is easily digested. It has a slightly sweet flavor that can turn bitter if the sprouts grow larger than the length of the wheat kernel. You can store sprouted wheat up to four days in the crisper of your refrigerator.

Lingonberry alternative: In place of lingonberries, you can use cranberries. Both lingonberries and cranberries are in the heath or heather family. And since they have such a similar flavor, they are often thought to be the same berry. However, lingonberries originated in Europe and Asia and are much smaller (size of a pea) than cranberries (size of a small olive), which are native to North America. Lingonberries grow on short, dense bushes and spread by underground stems whereas cranberries grow on low, creeping vines and are propagated by cuttings.

Honey alternative: You can make a vegan smoothie by replacing the honey with agave nectar, maple syrup, or dandelion honey.

Variations: You can vary the flavor by using other favorite berries and fruits. Add more water or orange juice to the smoothie if it is too thick. Add a few drops of lemon juice to give your smoothie a bright citrusy note.