Kale, pomegranate, and wheatgrass, oh my! The popularity of “superfoods” seems to grow each day as certain foods gain the reputation of having big nutrition in small packages. Smoothies can be a tasty platform to get a ton of fruits and veggies, all “super” in their own way, into your daily diet.

Our Test Kitchen Assistant Ashlee Redger is a culinary student at Johnson & Wales who is enrolled in a program that focuses on nutrition. She’s rounded up six Savory Spice add-ins, each with their own personality, to enliven your morning smoothies!

1. Add Texture with Chia

Versatile Black Chia Seeds are wonderful in pudding, oatmeal, and baked goods, as well as in smoothies. If added before blending, a tablespoon or two of chia seeds will aid in thickening the shake. If you want a little crunch, stir them in just before drinking. In addition to providing texture, chia seeds are a great addition to a whole grain diet as they are actually an unprocessed whole grain.

2. Good Morning, Turmeric!

With all the health buzz around turmeric, this is one spice you’ve probably heard a lot about! Regarding its many potential benefits, you can decide. One thing is sure: Turmeric is well-known for the beautiful golden color it imparts when added to any food or drink. When you put it in your morning shake, you can have a bright, sunshiny morning…no matter the weather outside.

• Make This: Tropical Turmeric Smoothie (also contains ginger & chia)

3. Warm Up With Cayenne

Even though smoothies are best served cold, there’s no reason not to add a little heat. A pinch of Cayenne Pepper is enough to complement flavors like cocoa, berries, and spinach. It often works best when used along with a little maple syrup or honey to get a sweet heat. Coconut milk is also a great companion to cayenne to help balance it.

4. Add Zip with Ginger

Ginger is unique in its ability to add warming heat, a hint of sweetness, and a piquant zip all at once. It lends itself very well to smoothies with tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapple, and papaya. It also pairs with peaches and spinach for a wonderful green smoothie!

• Make This: Green Peach Ginger Smoothie

5. Simply Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a classic addition to a wide variety of sweet dishes, so why not add it to your smoothie? It has a similar warming effect to cayenne without the capsaicin heat. Blueberries match well with cinnamon, as do apples and thinly sliced almonds. For a horchata-inspired smoothie, use rice milk, vanilla yogurt, fresh or frozen banana, and cinnamon to taste.

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe that uses Savory Spice products? Submit your recipes to our test kitchen so we can share them with our Savory friends and family.