What Is Blue Spirulina: The Ingredient That Turns Our Matcha, Smoothie, and Acai Bowl That Color
If you have seen our Blue Cloud Matcha, the Cosmic Coconut Cloud smoothie, or The Electric Blue acai bowl and immediately reached for your phone: the color is the reason, and the color comes from blue spirulina. That vivid, electric, natural blue is not food dye. It is not artificial coloring. It is phycocyanin, the pigment extracted from spirulina algae, and it is one of the most interesting ingredients in our kitchen for reasons that go well beyond the way it photographs.
What Is Spirulina and Where Does Blue Spirulina Come From
Spirulina is a type of cyanobacteria: a blue-green microalgae: that has been consumed as a food source for centuries and studied extensively as a nutritional supplement for decades. It is one of the most nutrient-dense natural foods on earth, containing complete protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, and a wide spectrum of antioxidants.
Blue spirulina specifically refers to the phycocyanin extract from spirulina: the blue pigment that is separated from the rest of the algae through a water extraction process. The result is a powder that carries the phycocyanin’s color and antioxidant properties without the strong flavor of whole spirulina. Where whole spirulina has a pronounced ocean-vegetal taste that many people find challenging, blue spirulina is nearly flavorless, which makes it practical to use in drinks and foods where the taste profile is carefully constructed.
What Does Blue Spirulina Do
Phycocyanin: the compound that makes blue spirulina blue: has been studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Research has found that phycocyanin inhibits inflammatory enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2): the same target as common anti-inflammatory medications. It also scavenges free radicals effectively, which contributes to its antioxidant profile. Some research has examined phycocyanin’s potential neuroprotective effects, finding that it may protect neurons from oxidative stress.
Blue spirulina also carries the general nutritional benefits of spirulina: B vitamins, iron, and a complete amino acid profile, all delivered in a form that integrates easily into food and drink without altering the flavor profile of what it is added to.
Where We Use Blue Spirulina at Vivid Minds Cafe
The Blue Cloud Matcha is our most popular blue spirulina drink. Ceremonial matcha, honey, coconut cream, blue spirulina, and Lion’s Mane mushroom. The matcha provides L-theanine and calm alertness. The Lion’s Mane provides nerve growth factor support. The blue spirulina provides phycocyanin’s antioxidant properties and the visual effect that makes the Blue Cloud Matcha unmistakable. $9, spring seasonal with plans to make it permanent.
The Cosmic Coconut Cloud smoothie has oat milk, banana, avocado, vanilla collagen, blue spirulina, and coconut cream swirl. The blue spirulina turns the base of this smoothie a vivid blue-green that contrasts with the coconut cream swirl on top in a way that makes it one of the most photographed items we serve. $12.
The Electric Blue acai bowl uses blue spirulina as part of the base, which gives the entire bowl its distinctive blue color beneath the granola, fresh fruit, and coconut cream. It also has Reishi mushroom for calm and recovery. This is the bowl that stops people mid-scroll when they see it on social media. $14.
Find Blue Spirulina in Denver at Vivid Minds Cafe
All three blue spirulina items are on the menu at 1545 S Broadway Denver CO 80210: the Planetarium Blue building in the Baker neighborhood. Open daily 7:30am to 4pm. Come for the color. Stay for what the color comes from.
Blue Cloud Matcha:
vividmindscafe.com/menu/matcha/blue-cloud-matcha-denver
· The Electric Blue Bowl:
vividmindscafe.com/menu/acai-bowls-denver/the-electric-blue
