By Ujjainee Roy
June 11, 2024
Blenders can be your biggest kitchen ally. However not every ingredient may be ideal for the blender. A blender gives you evenness and a smooth consistency since it breaks down certain foods. Some foods, especially hard ones may not be suitable for the blender. Let's look at some of them.
Blending hot liquids can create pressure buildup within the blender, leading to potentially dangerous splattering and even explosions. Allow hot liquids to cool down before blending or use a blender specifically designed for hot ingredients.
Whole spices, such as cloves, cinnamon sticks, and peppercorns, are too hard for most blenders to process effectively. Grinding them in a spice grinder or using pre-ground spices is a safer and more efficient option.
Tough, fibrous greens like kale and collard greens can wrap around the blades of a blender, leading to uneven blending and potentially damaging the motor. It's best to chop these greens into smaller pieces before blending or use a high-powered blender designed to handle tough ingredients.
Hard seeds and pits, such as those found in peach, apricot, and cherry, can damage blender blades and motors. Remove seeds and pits from fruits before blending or opt for seedless varieties.
While many blenders are equipped to handle ice, using too many ice cubes at once or blending them for too long can put excessive strain on the motor and dull the blades. It's best to use crushed ice or partially thawed ice cubes for smoother blending.
Starchy foods like potatoes and cooked rice can become gummy and pasty when blended for too long, resulting in an undesirable texture. These foods are better suited for mashing or pureeing with a fork or potato masher.