Imagine a large, tender green glass, five minutes of preparation on the clock, and a perfect tension on the palate between the tangy freshness of citrus and the herbal sweetness of coriander. This barley grass, citrus, and coriander smoothie is not just another recipe in the galaxy of green smoothies: it's a rare combination that marries the chlorophyll of barley grass, the vitamin C from three different citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, lime), and the aromatic compounds of fresh coriander, an aromatic herb used since antiquity.
Updated in April 2026, this guide provides you with the step-by-step recipe, the composition of each ingredient (ANSES, Ciqual), the recommended quantities, and precautions to be aware of, notably the interaction of grapefruit with certain treatments. To discover other versions of barley grass smoothies, I refer you to our barley grass smoothie and our lemon-ginger-barley grass smoothie, two complementary variations of the same family.
Why combine barley grass, citrus, and coriander?
The nutritional logic of this combination can be summed up in three words: chlorophyll, vitamin C, aromatic compounds. Barley grass contains chlorophyll and minerals. The three citrus fruits provide vitamin C and bioflavonoids (naringin, hesperidin, limonene). Fresh coriander adds polyphenols and essential oils, including linalool.
This synergy has two concrete advantages. First, the vitamin C from citrus fruits increases the absorption of non-heme iron contained in the green leaves of barley grass and spinach in the recipe. Secondly, the combination of greenery + mild acidity + subtle bitterness produces a balanced flavor profile, much more accessible than overly herbal or overly sweet green smoothies.
The distinguishing feature of this recipe: it is one of the few green smoothies to combine three distinct citrus fruits (and not just one) with fresh coriander. An aromatic trio more commonly found in South American or Asian cuisine than in classic juices.
The Step-by-Step Recipe
Ingredients (for 1 large glass, about 500 ml)
- 1/2 pink grapefruit, peeled
- 1/2 yellow lemon, peeled
- 1 lime, peeled
- 1 sprig of fresh organic cilantro (5 to 6 leafy stems)
- 1 handful of fresh organic spinach leaves (about 50 g)
- 1/2 ripe avocado (flesh only)
- 1 organic apple or 1 organic pear
- 1 tablespoon of organic barley grass powder Biovie (or dehydrated barley grass juice)
- 100 to 150 ml of pure water or coconut water depending on the desired texture
Preparation (5 minutes)
- Peel the citrus fruits: remove the skin and white membrane to keep only the juicy flesh.
- Thoroughly wash the cilantro, spinach, and apple or pear.
- Dice the apple or pear (with the skin if it's organic).
- Pour all the ingredients into the blender, starting with the juiciest elements (citrus fruits) then the solids.
- Add the barley grass powder last, just before blending.
- Blend for 30 to 45 seconds until you achieve a smooth and creamy texture.
- Adjust with a bit of water if the texture is too thick, or add an extra apple wedge if the acidity seems too strong.
- Drink immediately to enjoy the smoothie at its freshest.
Chef's Tips
Prefer a powerful blender (Vitamix, Omniblend) for a perfect texture and fine emulsion of the avocado. For a milder version for those sensitive to the bitterness of grapefruit, replace it with a sweet orange. For a variation, add half a teaspoon of spirulina powder - see our complete spirulina guide. If you want to explore other complementary recipes with the extractor or blender, dive into our 50 juice recipes.
The Composition of Barley Grass
Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare) refers to the young shoots of barley wheat harvested before heading, at an early stage. Its powder typically contains up to 28 g of plant proteins per 100 g, chlorophyll, vitamins (B1, B2, B6, C, E), beta-carotene, more than sixty minerals and trace elements (calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium), and specific polyphenols like saponarin and lutonarin.
To understand in detail how to integrate barley grass into your daily life, read our article: how to consume barley grass juice. To discover our barley grass supply chain in video, watch the report "Our barley grass: all the secrets with Rym Zoughlami".
Citrus fruits: vitamin C and bioflavonoids
The three citrus fruits in this recipe are not chosen at random. Each provides a distinct profile.
The pink grapefruit provides about 30 mg of vitamin C per 100 g (table Ciqual of ANSES), lycopene, and naringin, a bioflavonoid. The yellow lemon provides about 52 mg of vitamin C per 100 g, as well as citric acid and limonene. The lime adds even more vitamin C, aromatic essential oils, and hesperidin.
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron found in green leaves (spinach, barley grass). This is why citrus fruits and green leaves form a coherent nutritional duo in the same glass.
Important precaution: grapefruit interacts with many treatments - statins, immunosuppressants, vitamin K anticoagulants, calcium channel blockers. If you are on a treatment, seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist before adding grapefruit to your daily juices, or replace it with an orange.
Fresh coriander
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) has been used since antiquity as an aromatic plant. Its fresh leaves contain vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, polyphenols (caffeic acid, quercetin), and aromatic essential oils including linalool, which gives it its characteristic fragrance.
Practical tip: always choose organic cilantro. Conventional cilantro is one of the herbs most exposed to pesticides according to DGCCRF controls.
Other ingredients: spinach, avocado, apple
Raw spinach provides chlorophyll, iron (2.7 mg/100 g according to Ciqual), folates (vitamin B9, about 194 µg/100 g), magnesium, and vitamin K. Prefer them raw: cooking destroys some of the heat-sensitive nutrients, especially folates and vitamin C.
The avocado plays two essential roles. First, it provides quality monounsaturated fats (about 14.7 g per 100 g, according to Ciqual) and vitamin E. Then, it supplies the lipid matrix essential for the bioavailability of carotenoids and other fat-soluble vitamins present in green leaves. Bonus: it gives the smoothie its characteristic creamy texture.
The apple or pear adds soluble fibers (pectin), a natural sweetness that balances the acidity of the three citrus fruits.
Dosage, frequency, and usage tips
This smoothie is drunk in the morning or as a snack replacement. As a mid-morning snack, it readily replaces sugary snacks.
The frequency depends on your goal. I recommend 3 to 5 glasses per week, varying with other smoothies. A daily glass is possible if digestive tolerance is good.
For those new to barley grass, the right approach is to start with 1 teaspoon of powder in the smoothie during the first week, then gradually increase to 1 tablespoon in the second week. This gradual increase limits the transient effects detailed in the precautions section.
To explore other uses of barley grass in cooking, see the surprising no-bake raw cacao and barley grass brownie recipe.
Precautions and Contraindications
Transient effects at the start of consumption. Chlorophyll and plant fibers can cause temporary diarrhea, bloating, or mild headaches in some people during the first few days. These are the effects of a fiber intake you are not used to. The solution is simple: reduce the dose of barley grass, increase it gradually, and drink more water throughout the day.
Celiac disease. Barley grass is harvested young, before heading, at a stage where the plant theoretically contains very little or no gluten. In case of diagnosed celiac disease, still request a certified gluten-free product or avoid it as a precaution.
Grapefruit and ongoing treatments. Documented interaction with statins, immunosuppressants, vitamin K antagonists, and calcium channel blockers. Seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. As a precaution, seek medical advice before any regular supplementation with barley grass.
Children. Adjust portions to about one-third of the adult dose for a child from 6 years old. For additional information on uses and precautions, you can consult the MedicineNet page on barley grass.
