Rinse 1 cup of strawberries, hull them, and dice into pieces about the size of a pea. Small pieces collapse fully in 12 minutes. Larger chunks stay lumpy even after blending.

Add the diced strawberries, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon lemon juice to a small saucepan. Cook on low for 12 minutes, stirring every minute or so.

The berries should slump into dark red syrup with a few soft pieces. Once I turned away for 4 minutes and scorched the bottom. Should the edges darken, add 1 tablespoon of water and lower the heat.

Pour the glaze into a heat-safe measuring cup. Run an immersion blender gently up and down until no berry pieces remain. Keep the head under the surface to stop splatter.

Let it cool for 15 minutes. A warm glaze melts the coconut cream streaks later.

Set a tall 24-ounce glass in the freezer for 10 minutes while the glaze cools. A cold wall keeps the coconut cream streaks from sliding down.

Pour in 1 cup + 2 tablespoons of almond milk first. Add ¾ cup frozen banana, 1½ cups frozen strawberries, ¼ cup frozen avocado, ½ date, and 2 scoops of collagen. Liquid on the bottom keeps the blades from stalling.

Blend on high for 45 seconds, stopping once to scrape the sides. My old Oster has a cracked lid, so I press a dish towel over the top.

The smoothie should fall from a spoon in a slow ribbon, like soft-serve. Should the blades whine, add 1 tablespoon almond milk and pulse twice.

Sip a spoonful before pouring. Add 1 teaspoon of glaze, not syrup, to sweeten it. The glaze brings fruit flavor along, so the drink stays berry-forward.

Stir 1 teaspoon coconut cream until loose. Dip a small brush and paint 4 uneven streaks up the inside of the chilled glass.

Aim for ribbons, not blobs. Wipe drips with a paper towel.

Spoon 1 tablespoon cooled glaze into the bottom. Pour in half the smoothie, add 1 more tablespoon glaze, then pour the rest. Finish with a last tablespoon on top.

Spreading the glaze keeps the first sip from tasting like pure syrup.

Sip through a wide straw within 10 minutes. The layers blur as the glass sweats, and the coconut streaks soften.