🍵 Matcha green tea smoothie
It’s the morning and you need energy, but you can’t drink coffee because you crash so hard. Instead, try a matcha green tea smoothie, and it’s creamy, packed with antioxidants, and provides energy that lasts. And it’s Zen, and this is because of its unique properties.
⚡ Why it’s awesome
- You can make it in 90 seconds
- it’s got only 4 ingredients: Matcha, banana, almond milk, and ice
- you don’t crash
- The caffeine in matcha kicks in slowly, and antioxidants galore are also present
- It’s good for your skin, and you can switch it up with protein, vegetables, or sugar, thus making it a versatile option
🛒 Ingredients include
- Matcha powder, which has antioxidants and slow-release caffeine
- banana, which has sweetness and potassium
- Almond milk has calcium, no dairy
- ice keeps it cold, therefore making it a refreshing choice
Pro tip: Buy ceremonial matcha for the best taste, because it is of higher quality.
The food is alright but not as creamy, so you may want to add something to enhance the texture, and some history on matcha is that samurai warriors drank matcha before battles to help calm their minds.
They grow their leaves in the shade, then they grind the leaves, and it retains all the nutrients, thus preserving its natural benefits.
Some brands like Ippodo do that, and that’s why it costs a lot of money, because of the high-quality production process.
📏 Ingredients to make the Matcha Smoothie include
- 1 teaspoon of ceremonial matcha, 1 large ripe banana, 1 cup of almond milk, and 4-5 cubes of ice, which are all essential for the recipe.
🌀 Directions to make a matcha smoothie include
- Pour the almond milk in first, add the banana and ice, and add the matcha powder last, thus creating a harmonious blend.
- Blend on high for 45-60 seconds, and taste test and adjust accordingly, because the flavor may vary.
- If too thick, you can add more dairy, and if too grassy, you can add honey, thus customizing the taste.
🎨 Tips include
- Wash the blender immediately, because matcha clings, and add protein for muscle and spinach for leafy greens.
- Use mango and coconut water for tropical, and add yogurt and vanilla for dessert, thus exploring different flavors.
- Add chia for fiber and omega-3, and this will enhance the nutritional value.
💪 Benefits include
- Antioxidants combat free radicals, and L-theanine and caffeine enhance focus, thus improving mental clarity.
- Banana prebiotics support the gut, and almond milk calcium supports bones, therefore promoting overall health.
🆚 Matcha Smoothie vs. Latte
- A smoothie is thicker, and a latte is lighter, and a smoothie is quicker, thus making it a convenient option.
- Latte requires whisking, and smoothie is fiber-rich, and smoothie keeps you fuller, therefore making it a more satisfying choice.
❓ FAQ
- Can I make it ahead? The answer is yes. Then blend it and let it sit for 48 hours, and pour some ice on top.
- Is this more of a culinary use or something more ceremonial? Culinary is fine, but ceremonial is better because it has a deeper cultural significance.
- Do your children like matcha? They do, and I often use oat milk and less matcha and add some orange, thus making it a family-friendly option.
