In what might be the most controversial wellness creation yet, Los Angeles' premium grocery chain Erewhon has launched a smoothie that tastes uncannily like toothpaste, sending social media into a frenzy and leaving Britons questioning American food trends.
The £19 Question: Wellness Innovation or Culinary Misstep?
The latest addition to Erewhon's cult-followed smoothie menu combines ingredients that sound more like a dental hygiene routine than a nutritious drink. The signature 'Toothpaste Smoothie' features activated charcoal, blue-green algae, and mint, creating a flavour profile that customers describe as disturbingly similar to brushing their teeth.
At nearly £19 per serving, this unconventional beverage has become the talk of TikTok and Instagram, with food influencers divided between calling it 'genius' and 'genuinely horrifying'.
What's Actually in This Controversial Concoction?
- Activated charcoal - touted for detoxification but known to interfere with medication absorption
- Blue-green algae - a nutrient-dense superfood with a strong, acquired taste
- Fresh mint - providing the distinctive toothpaste flavour
- Coconut water - for hydration and electrolyte balance
- Alkaline water - favoured in wellness circles for its purported pH benefits
Social Media Reacts: From Amusement to Outrage
The smoothie has sparked heated debate online, with British commentators particularly baffled by the concept. 'Only in America could someone pay £20 for something that tastes like they should be spitting it into the sink,' wrote one UK food critic on Twitter.
Meanwhile, wellness enthusiasts defend the creation as an innovative way to incorporate beneficial ingredients, arguing that the minty flavour makes the potent combination of algae and charcoal more palatable.
The Erewhon Phenomenon Explained
For those unfamiliar with the LA food scene, Erewhon has become synonymous with luxury wellness, attracting celebrity clients and health-conscious shoppers willing to pay premium prices for what they perceive as optimal nutrition. Their smoothie menu regularly features unusual combinations that quickly become social media sensations.
However, nutrition experts urge caution: While the individual ingredients have health benefits, the combination and dosage matter. Activated charcoal can absorb nutrients and medications, making timing crucial for consumption.
Would This Trend Cross the Atlantic?
As Britons observe this latest American food trend, the question remains whether such a concept would find acceptance in UK wellness circles. Given Britain's more pragmatic approach to health foods and price sensitivity, the £19 toothpaste-flavoured smoothie might struggle to find a market beyond curious London foodies.
One thing is certain: Erewhon has successfully generated buzz again, proving that in the world of luxury wellness, sometimes the most controversial creations attract the most attention.
