If you’re up-to-the-minute when it comes to foods trends (whether or not you actually participate in them), you’ve probably seen evidence of Blue Majik by now. Maybe you didn’t know there was a name for those bright blue açaí bowls you’ve seen on your feed or for that blue juice at your local smoothie joint, but this colorful powder is changing the food scene everywhere.
So, what is Blue Majik, exactly?
First, Blue Majik is used as a common noun. But it’s actually a branded powder product that is claimed to be a unique spirulina extract. “Spirulina is blue-green bacteria sometimes called ‘blue-green algae,’ and a type of seaweed,” says Maggie Moon, M.S., R.D., author of The MIND Diet.
Blue Majik is pricey-$61 for 50 grams on Amazon-but the appeal is clear. “Naturally blue foods have a health halo: Think of blueberries or purple potatoes,” says Moon, which have science-backed nutrition bonus points.
But are there any health benefits behind that bright blue hue?
Should you try Blue Majik?
Because it’s derived from spirulina, which is packed with B vitamins, minerals, and a surprisingly nice dose of protein, there are some health benefits to the neon food trend.
Plus, it gets its beautiful blue hue from C-phycocyanin, a protein that has been shown to have antioxidant qualities and to reduce inflammation, as shown in a 2016 study in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
It’s not all rainbows though. Moon says that since the blue-green algae is essentially a bacteria, it can upset some people’s stomachs and cause not-so-pleasant side effects such as “mild nausea, stomach upset, fatigue, and dizziness.” If you try Blue Majik and your body just isn’t loving the trend as much as the internet is, it’s definitely OK to skip out on this one.
Learn how to eat Blue Majik.
You might think Blue Majik is only for smoothies and cold-pressed juices. But you can also use it in chia bowls, pasta dishes, sauces, and more. And you can always mix it into a spread such as light cream cheese and hop on that mermaid toast trend.
“Smoothies are a great way to mask the flavor” if you aren’t a seaweed girl, says Moon. “You could add a teaspoon to a green smoothie with spinach, pineapple, fresh ginger, and pomegranate juice,” she says. Or make a smoothie bowl and take a little extra time to scoop up the good stuff (but not before snapping a pic, duh).
Blue Majik chia seed pudding makes a quick breakfast that’s high in healthy fats and filling protein. Toss in some berries for antioxidants and fiber. Add it to oatmeal or Greek yogurt as another fun twist on a protein-packed morning staple.
But don’t forget to look beyond the glass or bowl. “Use the fishiness to your advantage, and add it to tomato sauces or pestos that will be used on fish,” says Moon. Or add pitaya powder and spirulina to sticky rice for one creative way to enjoy sushi that has nothing to do with raw fish.
You can use Blue Majik to make a sweeter sauce for pancakes, waffles, crêpes, and more. Add it to desserts such as a cheesecake or yogurt popsicles as it’ll blend well with the creamy, rich texture.
When all else fails, there’s always the toast trend to fall back on. Topping a slice with something sparkly, playful, and bright blue is always a fun way to kick basic bread up a notch.
