Sinh Tố: A Comprehensive Overview

Fact: According to Statista, each Vietnamese person is estimated to consume 3.69 liters of ready-made smoothies and fruit juices in 2023.

#6 in Vietnam

Sinh Tố: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/sin toe/

Alternative Name(s)

Drink Type

Cold non-alcoholic beverages, dessert drinks

Mealtime

Anytime

Sinh Tố: Origin and Region

Origin

Vietnam

Continent’s Region

Southeast Asia

Country’s Region

Nationwide Origin

Associated Region

Unspecified

Popular Sinh Tố Variations

Sinh Tố Bơ

Sinh Tố Chuối

Sinh Tố Dâu Tây

Sinh Tố Xoài

Sinh Tố Mít

Sinh Tố Chanh Dây

Sinh Tố Cam

Sinh Tố Đu Đủ

Sinh Tố Dưa Hấu

Sinh Tố Dưa Gang

Sinh Tố Thanh Long

Sinh Tố Dừa

Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng

Sinh Tố Thập Cẩm

Sinh Tố Đậu Xanh

Sinh Tố Cần Tây

Sinh Tố Cà Chua

Sinh Tố Dưa Leo

Sinh Tố: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Fruits, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and seeds

Main Preparing Method

Blending

Preparation Process

Pureeing ingredients in a blender until smooth

Sinh Tố: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

Refreshing drink with many health benefits for Vietnamese people

Taste

Sweet

Texture

Creamy and thick or light and frothy

Aroma

Fruity

Color

Various colors, such as red, green, purple, orange, etc.

Serving Style

Typically in a glass or cup

Serving Temperature

Chilled or frozen

Accompaniment

No accompaniment

Occasions

On any occasions

Calories

270 calories, according to data of Nutritionix for one avocado smoothie cup (9.1 ounces or 259 grams) with milk and condensed milk.

Popularity

Vietnam

Popular Similar Drinks

Lassi
Milkshake
Juice

Popular Dining Area

Local households, street vendors, cafés, restaurants

Sinh tố is the Vietnamese version of smoothie, a type of cold blended beverage made from various ingredients.

In Vietnam, smoothies are usually prepared with fruits, especially tropical fruits derived from domestic growers, and dairy products like condensed milk, fresh milk, and yogurt.

Fruit smoothies are sometimes sold as a street food at roadside vendors, especially sinh tố bơ (avocado smoothie).

In recent decades, sinh tố varieties made with vegetables and new ingredients, such as chia seeds, whey, or protein powder, have grown more popular.

Nevertheless, sinh tố trái cây (“fruit smoothies”) are still the most widely enjoyed varieties. Combining multiple types of fruits is a common practice.

Read on to discover the most popular types of sinh tố in Vietnam, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Next, I will go into commonly asked questions about sinh tố and recommend similar beverages.

Key Points

Sinh tố refers to Vietnamese smoothies, which are usually based on fruits and sweetened with fresh milk or condensed milk.
There are many variations of sinh tố, thanks to Vietnam’s fresh fruit abundance.
Sinh tố bơ, or avocado smoothie, is among the most popular smoothie varieties in Vietnam.
Vegetable smoothies are also widely enjoyed in Vietnam.

Sinh Tố Images

What Are Popular Variations of Sinh Tố in Vietnam?

Below are the 18 most well-known sinh tố variations in Vietnam.

Sinh Tố Bơ

Avocado smoothie
One of the most famous smoothies in Vietnam
Has sinh tố bơ chuối (avocado and banana smoothie) as a popular variant

Sinh Tố Chuối

Banana smoothie
Can be mixed with various fruits

Sinh Tố Dâu Tây

Strawberry smoothie
Can be mixed with jackfruits or watermelons

Sinh Tố Xoài

Mango smoothie
Can be mixed with various fruits

Sinh Tố Mít

Jackfruit smoothie
Can be mixed with other fruits such as bananas or jackfruits

Sinh Tố Chanh Dây

Passion fruit smoothie
Often blended with the seeds
Can be mixed with bananas, oranges, spinach, etc.

Sinh Tố Cam

Orange smoothie
Can be mixed with carrots or mangoes

Sinh Tố Đu Đủ

Papaya smoothie
Can be mixed with avocados, pineapples, apples, lime juice, etc.

Sinh Tố Dưa Hấu

Watermelon smoothie
Can be mixed with various fruits

Sinh Tố Dưa Gang

Melon smoothie
Can be mixed with jackfruits, passion fruits, carrots, etc.

Sinh Tố Thanh Long

Dragon fruit smoothie
Can be mixed with apples or jackfruits

Sinh Tố Dừa

Coconut smoothie
Prepared by blending coconut meat with the liquid base
Can be mixed with pineapples, longans, mangoes, bananas, etc.

Sinh Tố Sầu Riêng

Durian smoothie
Can be mixed with mung beans, mangoes, avocados, etc.

Sinh Tố Thập Cẩm

Mixed smoothie
Made from various fruits

Sinh Tố Đậu Xanh

Mung bean smoothie
Made by blending cooked mung beans with the liquid base
Can be mixed with coconut milk

Sinh Tố Cần Tây

Celery smoothie
Can be mixed with various fruits, such as apples, oranges, strawberries, etc.

Sinh Tố Cà Chua

Tomato smoothie
Can be mixed with carrots, celery, or pears

Sinh Tố Dưa Leo

Cucumber smoothie
Can be mixed with ginger, spinach, mint, pineapples, apples, etc.

To enjoy all the benefits of these sinh tố variations, you should know about their upsides and downsides. Continue reading to discover what they are.

Pros and Cons of Drinking Sinh Tố

The consumption of sinh tố comes with the following boons and drawbacks.

Pros

Nutritional Values: Like all smoothies, sinh tố boasts a significant amount of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other nutrients.
High Fiber Content: Thanks to incorporating fruits and vegetables, sinh tố is rich in fiber and beneficial for digestive health.
Hydration: Vietnamese smoothies are usually prepared with juicy fruits, fresh milk, and added water, so they have a high water content.
Versatility: The diversity of tropical fruits in Vietnam facilitates a large number of fruit smoothies that can please any palate.
Availability: Sinh tố is easy to make from scratch at home or order at cafes, restaurants, and even street stalls.

Cons

Sugar Content: Since sinh tố is usually prepared with sweet fruits and condensed milk, it can be high in sugar.
Nutrient Loss: Some nutrients can be reduced by the heat produced during the blending process. Notable examples are B vitamins, vitamin C, and potassium.
Lack of Protein: Sinh tố is typically low in protein, so it’s not a balanced meal replacement.
Potential Allergens: People with oral allergy syndrome (OAS) might not tolerate certain types of Vietnamese fruit smoothies. Some types of sinh tố, such as durian smoothies, are even an acquired taste.
Seasonal Limitations: Several fruits used in sinh tố are seasonal and only available at certain times of the year.

After presenting you with the strengths and weaknesses of sinh tố, I will delve into other aspects of this beverage in the FAQs section.

Sinh Tố FAQs

Yes, you can prepare sinh tố without condensed milk, though this is a ubiquitous ingredient in Vietnamese smoothies. In addition, you can go for unsweetened or non-fat milk as the liquid base for sinh tố to make your beverage healthier.

You can refrigerate sinh tố for 1 – 2 days or freeze it for 2 – 3 months. Don’t forget to keep sinh tố in an airtight container first.

Yes, sinh tố can lead to diarrhea if consumed in large quantities due to its large content of water and fiber. Therefore, you should keep your sinh tố consumption in check.

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Adam Sam

Senior Food and Drink Editor

Expertise

Food Writer & Recipe Developer, Recipe Tester, Bartender, Cooking-video Maker, Editor In Chief

Education

University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
Johnson & Wales University (US) (Baking and Pastry Arts)
Professional Bartender at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

As the Editor-in-Chief, he elevates culinary content from street food to fine dining, focusing on Western cuisine and types of drinks at azcuisines.com, and is professional in creating engaging cooking videos that simplify complex dishes and ingredients.

His passion for food is evident in his writing, where he uniquely merges various cultures, traditions, and contemporary trends, skillfully combining classic recipes with modern cooking methods.