How Mason Jars Make Blending Up Individual Smoothies So Much Easier

Smoothies have long been a quick breakfast option or a way to cool off on hot summer days. They have seemingly infinite possible combinations and are a way to get nutrition in a drinkable form. However, if you want to make easy fruity beverages, there are several ways you're probably making your smoothies all wrong. One in particular is that, if you like drinking your smoothies out of mason jars, you don't need to dirty extra dishes by putting ingredients in a blender pitcher. Instead, you can attach the jar directly to the blender blades and purify your chosen fruits and veggies in a single-serving amount.

This might sound strange, but the fact is that most mason jars are the perfect size to screw onto the blade base attachment for your blender. Simply disconnect the pitcher and securely attach a mason jar full of your favorite ingredients. Blend it until you get the texture you're after, and you're all done. This leads to fewer dishes, no excess food waste, and the small volume blends extra fast.

It might feel like magic that your blender and a mason jar lock together so easily, but it all has to do with history. Mason jars are a long-time kitchen staple, and their origins predate the Civil War. In 1958, John Landis Mason invented the screw-top jar to make preserving food easier. Even in some early iterations, the mouth of the jars measured 2.75 inches across, and that has remained standard for over a century. Because of this, it doesn't generally matter how much the mason jar holds — the opening is the same and the same lid will always fit. This is usually true across brands, materials, height, and volume. That mouth diameter also just so happens to be the exact same size as the standard base of a blender pitcher.

While mason jars are fairly standardized, you should keep in mind that some blenders and jars won't necessarily be compatible. Some mason jars come with a special wide mouth that measures 3 inches in diameter. This won't affix properly to most blenders. Certain blenders, such as Vitamix, also only work with very specific attachments and bases, so they won't allow for a mason jar to be screwed in. Before you try this hack, take a measurement of your blender base, and if it has that magic 2.75-inch diameter, you'll probably be good to go.

Before you get your smoothie on, there are some important things you need to keep in mind. First of all, you should never blend ice in mason jars. They are not built to stand up to such strenuous jobs, so they may break if you put them under that amount of stress. You should also avoid blending hot ingredients, as the pressure can make them explode. To check for leaks before you try this hack, pour some water into the jar and then try attaching it. That way, if there isn't a good seal, you just get a little wetness on your kitchen floor, not a sticky fruit mess.

Once you get those safety precautions squared away, the smoothie world is pretty much your oyster. To add some protein to your diet, don't be afraid to include a spoonful of peanut butter in the mix. If you need more grains and fiber, throw in some oats or flaxseed. Go wild with frozen or fresh berries, and experiment with different liquids, although orange juice is a great, tangy standby. You can add Tajin for a sweet and sour zest in summer smoothies. For extra greens in your diet, add some spinach, kale, or avocado. You can even prep ingredients in the jars in advance and keep them in your fridge. Then, just blend whatever jar you're feeling that day for extra saved time.