Aojiru nutrition facts show low calories, modest fiber, and near-zero fat per scoop, with vitamins varying by greens and brand.
Calories (Low)
Calories (Mid)
Calories (High)
Water Mix
- Fast whisk in cold water
- Light taste, no extras
- Great pre-breakfast
Lean
Latte Style
- Blend with milk or soy
- Creamier mouthfeel
- Adds protein & kcal
Satisfying
Smoothie Boost
- Pair with yogurt/fruit
- Good post-workout
- Use 1 stick only
Balanced
Aojiru Nutritional Profile — What You Get Per Serving
Aojiru is Japan’s classic “green juice,” usually made from kale, young barley leaves, or blends with ashitaba and komatsuna. Most powders land in the single-digit calorie range per 3-gram stick, while ready-to-drink shots climb a bit higher. The exact mix of micronutrients depends on the plant base and how concentrated the powder is.
This first table rounds up common label values so you can scan the typical macro and vitamin picture at a glance.
Serving Type | Typical Macros (per serving) | Vitamin Highlights |
---|---|---|
Powder stick (3 g) | ~9 kcal • ~0.7 g protein • ~0.2 g fat • ~2 g carbs • ~1.3 g fiber | Vitamin K tens of µg, vitamin A as beta-carotene, small vitamin C |
Powder stick (4–7.5 g) | ~12–25 kcal • ~1–2 g protein • ~0.2–0.4 g fat • ~3–6 g carbs • ~2–3 g fiber | Higher K, more beta-carotene; iron in fractions of a milligram |
Ready-to-drink shot | ~30–60 kcal (brand-dependent) | Micros vary; often vitamin C and K, plant pigments, chlorophyll |
Numbers differ because aojiru isn’t one single recipe; kale-based blends skew toward vitamin K and beta-carotene, while barley leaf versions emphasize chlorophyll and fiber. Brand extras like lactic acid bacteria or dextrin add to the label but don’t change calories much.
What Counts As One Serving?
Most stick packs range from 3 to 7.5 grams. If you’re using loose powder, a level teaspoon is usually near 2–3 grams. Mix with cold water, milk, or plain yogurt, and check the label for any additives. Some blends include prebiotic fiber or sweeteners, which push carbs up a touch.
You can sanity-check leafy references with USDA kale data to understand why vitamin K and A show up so often on labels.
Ingredient Bases And Why They Matter
Kale-Forward Blends
Kale delivers vitamin K and A in small but steady amounts even in tiny sticks. Raw kale carries vitamin C, potassium, and calcium in modest doses; powders reflect a concentrated version, scaled to serving size.
Young Barley Leaf Blends
Barley grass powders are valued for chlorophyll, fiber, and a leafy mineral profile. Labels often list vitamin K, beta-carotene, and small amounts of iron and magnesium. Some brands add lactic acid bacteria to the mix.
Mixed-Greens Blends
Many products combine kale and barley leaves with extras like mulberry leaf, komatsuna, broccoli, or matcha. These blends chase a smoother taste and a wider micronutrient spread. Enzyme or probiotic add-ons are marketing-led; treat them as a bonus, not a core reason to buy.
How Aojiru Fits Calories, Carbs, And Fiber
Even doubled-up, two small sticks still sit under a small snack. Most of the carbohydrate is fiber, not sugar. If you’re watching carbs, stick with water mixes and check labels for maltitol or brown sugar in flavored blends.
For barley-first products, values like vitamin K and iron per 3 grams match figures reported for young barley leaves, which helps explain the micro profile you see on many tins.
Protein And Fat
Protein is present but tiny. Fat is near zero because the source leaves are extremely lean. You’ll see gram-level protein only once serving sizes climb above 5 grams of powder.
Vitamins And Minerals You’ll Actually Get
Vitamin K is the consistent standout, with micrograms per stick. Beta-carotene shows up across kale and barley leaf bases. You may also see vitamin C, small iron, and a pinch of magnesium and potassium. The exact figures sit on the nutrition panel and swing with growing conditions and processing.
Does It Contain Caffeine?
Plain kale or barley-leaf powders don’t carry caffeine. When matcha appears in a blend, you’ll get some caffeine from the tea. If you’re sensitive, pick a plain greens product.
How It Compares To Eating The Greens
You’ll get different totals from raw leaves versus powders. Powder concentrates some vitamins per gram but trims water weight. Eating the actual vegetables adds chewing, volume, and more potassium overall; powder wins on convenience and consistency.
Smart Ways To Mix It
Water Or Seltzer
Clean taste, no extra calories. Chill the water and whisk well to avoid clumps.
Milk Or Soy Milk
Richer mouthfeel and extra protein. Keep in mind that milk adds lactose sugar and calories.
Smoothies
Great for breakfast. Pair with a banana half, yogurt, and a spoon of oats for a steady morning blend.
Who Should Be Careful With Vitamin K?
People on warfarin need steady vitamin K intake. If that’s you, keep servings consistent and talk to your care team before you change the amount.
Quality Checks Before You Buy
- Ingredients: Look for a short list. Greens first; extras second.
- Serving honesty: Numbers should match the scoop size. Tiny sticks can’t deliver huge vitamin claims.
- Certs and cues: Organic or pesticide-free claims should name the standard or certifier.
- Taste plan: If you dislike strong kale, target barley-forward blends or those with yogurt mixes in mind.
Storage, Prep, And Safety
Keep sticks sealed and dry. Mix with cool liquids. Very hot water can mute flavor and may dull heat-sensitive vitamins like C. If you notice clumping, sift before mixing.
Sample One-Week Use Plan
Day one, start with a single 3-gram stick in cold water. If you like the taste, step up to two sticks on days with lighter vegetable intake. On smoothie days, skip the second stick; your produce already does the heavy lifting.
Real-World Labels: Three Examples
Here are pulled-from-label examples to show the scale of actual servings. Use them as a reference next time you compare tins.
Brand/Type | Per Serving | Notes |
---|---|---|
Fine Japan (3 g) | 9 kcal • 0.14 g protein • 0.03 g fat • 1.38 g carbs • 1.30 g fiber • vitamin C ~33 mg • vitamin K listed | Blend of barley leaves, kale, bitter gourd; tiny sodium |
YUWA Young Barley Leaves (3 g) | 8.76 kcal • 0.69 g protein • 0.17 g fat • 1.9 g carbs • 1.57 g fiber • vitamin K ~81 µg • iron ~1.41 mg | Organic barley leaf powder; caffeine not detected |
Yakult “Meguri” (15 g label) | Fiber ~3.1 g • vitamin K 41–138 µg • β-carotene 190–1600 µg • iron 0.3–1.7 mg | Bigger serving; numbers scale down if you use half |
Cost Per Serving And Value
Most tins work out to a few cents per gram. A 3-gram stick that delivers a gram or more of fiber with leafy micros can be a fair trade if you struggle to hit vegetable targets. If you already eat salads and cooked greens daily, you may not need a daily stick.
Make It Work With Your Meals
Slot a water mix before breakfast, or stir powder into plain yogurt as a quick snack. If you’re training early, a simple water mix keeps the stomach light. Milk mixes suit late-night cravings when you want something filling without a heavy dessert.
Who Might Skip The Add-Ins
If you’re sensitive to sugar alcohols, choose products without maltitol or erythritol. If you avoid dairy, skip blends that list lactic bacteria grown on milk. Gluten isn’t a concern in leaf powders, but always read the label when blends include grains.
Bottom Line For Everyday Use
A serving slides in as a light, fiber-leaning, vitamin-rich add-on to breakfast or a snack. It won’t replace salads, but it can plug small gaps when life gets busy.