Nomilkshake

The first shake, or rather milkshake, was prepared in 1885 and was an alcoholic cocktail made from whisky and milk, somewhat similar to eggnog (someone in Germany, I can't remember who right now, produces vegan eggnog, quite good! more artisanal than industrial). However, around 1900, the shake became a "healthy" milk drink with the addition of flavored syrups, often including ice cream as well.

**INGREDIENTS:** 
- 10 pitted plums (340 g) 
- 100 g peanut butter 
- 450 g oat milk 
- 100 g dates 
- 100 g chickpeas 
- 20 g (2 tablespoons) powdered coconut milk (optional) 
- a pinch of salt (optional)

**PREPARATION:** 
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

**VARIATIONS:** 
The possibilities are endless. The basic inspiration here was plums, but you can just as well use blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or whatever seasonal fruits you have or that are currently available at a low price. Instead of oat milk, you can use a different type of milk, and you can add a bit of coconut milk (in that case, skip the powdered coconut milk). Instead of dates, try other sweeteners, and substitute tofu for chickpeas. The shake turns out quite thick; you can thin it out with milk or omit the chickpea addition. You can also use ice cream, sorbets, and frozen fruits to make the cocktail (wait a bit for them to soften before blending, unless you have a blender with an ice crushing function).

**NOTES:** 
This was again done by rummaging through the pantry and fridge. I had dates, powdered coconut milk, and plums on hand, so that's why I used them. The key player here is the peanut butter, specifically the fat content in it. Evolutionarily, this cocktail includes the flavors we need to derive pleasure from food on a basic physiological level. A touch of salt enhances these sensations.

**SERVING:** 
Serve chilled in a glass. You can drizzle citrus juice and/or sesame oil on top.

**NUTRITIONAL VALUES:** 
One serving of 220 g contains 310 kcal, 7 g of protein, 16 g of fat, and 38 g of carbohydrates, including 25 g of sugar. The given proportions yield around 5 servings of approximately 220 g each (roughly one glass).

The breakthrough in the production and composition of shakes came with the invention of the electric blender. On one hand, it gave milkshakes their final character as we know them today; on the other hand, it facilitated and popularized the making of shakes, not only in establishments but also at home.

Even from my childhood, I remember the pitcher blender and the shakes made in it (mid-1970s!). Interestingly, they were mostly based on kefir and cultured milk rather than regular milk, and they were thicker and richer than what you find in stores nowadays. This type of milk was bought in a liter glass bottle and left to ferment.

In the 1940s, milkshakes became popular in various parts of the world, from the UK to Australia, where a version with mint and lime was created. This was a result of World War II, which marked the beginning of the global invasion and dominance of American culture. This was likely due to soldiers drinking their favorite milk-based cocktails on various fronts and in different countries.

In the game Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus from the Wolfenstein series, in one of the scenes, a German officer from the occupying forces in America admires a milkshake. Of course, this doesn't save him from being shot in the head by one of the anti-fascists. Watch and learn, kids.

The latest trends involve shakes with less fat and sugar, using plant-based beverages instead of cow's milk. There are also increasingly innovative ideas, like the blue (with spirulina) shake at Joe and The Juice, a small but international Danish chain present in Germany, particularly in Hamburg. The shake trend reached Poland a few years ago as well.

It's worth noting that, despite appearances and the fruit content, these are not necessarily healthy drinks. A high sugar and fat content is not a good dietary recommendation. Drinks sweetened with fruits like dates (fiber) and made solely from plant-based ingredients (less saturated fats) are definitely better. However, a serving of such a cocktail still contains several hundred calories, so treat it as a separate meal.

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