Energy-Boosting Matcha Smoothie

There are very few recipes that I come back to as often as this energy-boosting matcha smoothie. I don’t know if it’s the greens, the banana, or the matcha powder, but this smoothie clears my mind and gives me more energy than anything else I’ve tried. If I had to pick between drinking coffee or my green smoothie for the rest of my life, I would hands-down go with the latter.

If you think I’m crazy, let me show you what you’re missing.

Matcha Smoothie Health Benefits

Unlike many so-called “healthy” smoothies that you might find in the produce aisle, this drink only has simple, clean ingredients, meaning there are NO added sweeteners! The vibrant green color is from a combination of spinach, kale, and matcha powder. Luckily, if you’re blending with fresh ingredients, these both have very mild flavors which help to elevate the sweetness of the banana, eliminating the need for added sugar.

Kale, banana, and spinach offer an impressive array of health benefits, making them invaluable additions to your morning routine. Kale is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and fiber, promoting eye health, immune function, and digestion. Bananas are renowned for their high potassium content, crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and heart function, while also providing a quick energy boost thanks to their natural sugars. Spinach, rich in iron, vitamins, and minerals, supports bone health, aids in muscle function, and contributes to overall vitality. Together, these three ingredients form a potent combination that supports a balanced diet, offering both essential nutrients and delicious flavors.

What really pulls this smoothie together is the addition of a teaspoon of matcha powder. Matcha powder, derived from finely ground green tea leaves, offers a plethora of health benefits. Packed with antioxidants, matcha boosts metabolism, aids in weight management, and supports the body’s natural detoxification process. Its high concentration of L-theanine promotes relaxation and mental clarity, counteracting the jittery effects of caffeine. Additionally, matcha provides a sustained energy boost without the crash often associated with coffee, making it an ideal choice for sustained focus and productivity.

I also like to add a spoonful of ground flaxseed, which contributes to improved bowel function and digestion throughout the day.

Ingredients

So let’s review what we’re packing into this smoothie.

Banana: I find the best time to use bananas in this smoothie is when they’re slightly over-ripened for optimal sweetness

Spinach: The best way to incorporate spinach into a smoothie is to freeze it when it’s fresh. This makes it easier for your blender to finely blend the leaves and minimizes the risk that you’ll end up with an overly spinachy drink.

Kale: I usually use organic common curly kale, but any kale will do.

Organic Matcha Powder: My all time favorite matcha powder is “Everyday Matcha” by Rishi Tea. It is made purely from Japanese green tea leaves and doesn’t have the unnecessary additives that other matcha’s contain. All you need is one teaspoon to get the full effects of this matcha powder!

Ground Flaxseed: In order to preserve it’s freshness, I like to keep my flaxseed in the fridge. Leaving it out can lead to accelerated oxidation and rancid flaxseed.

Unsweetened Almond Milk: This gives the smoothie the creamy and mildly nutty flavor that makes it so irresistible.

4-5 Ice cubes

Equipment

Matcha Smoothie Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

The good news is that this smoothie takes no longer than 2 minutes to make. First, you’ll need to assemble your fresh ingredients, including the kale, spinach, and banana, and add them to the blender.

Step 2

Then, add a half tablespoon of flaxseed and a teaspoon of matcha. Pack in 4-5 ice cubes.

Step 3

Fill your blender with almond milk until 3/4’s of the ingredients are covered in the milk (about 1 cup).

Step 4

Blend for 2-3 minutes, or until the ice cubes are completely ground up.

Step 5

Transfer to a clean glass and enjoy!

Yield: 1 smoothie

Energy-Boosting Matcha Smoothie

Print

This recipe uses a blend of natural ingredients like green-tea matcha, kale, banana, and spinach, to create a delightfully sweet and incredibly nutritious morning drink.

Prep Time 1 minute

Cook Time 2 minutes

Total Time 3 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 large, ripe banana
• 1/2 cup spinach (frozen)
• 1/2 cup kale
• 1 tsp matcha powder
• 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 4-5 ice cubes

Instructions

1. Assemble your fresh ingredients, including the kale, spinach, and banana, and add them to the blender.
2. Then, add a half tablespoon of flaxseed and a teaspoon of matcha. Pack in 4-5 ice cubes.
3. Fill your blender with almond milk until 3/4’s of the ingredients are covered in the milk (about 1 cup).
4. Blend for 2-3 minutes, or until the ice cubes are completely ground up.
5. Transfer to a clean glass and enjoy!

Notes

• For optimal flavor, use frozen spinach leaves that were frozen at peak freshness. Otherwise, you might end up with a strong spinach flavor in your smoothie or leaves that don't blend well.
• Use a fully ripe or slightly over-ripened banana to enhance the sweetness of your smoothie. Remember, there are no added sweeteners, so an under-ripened banana could make for a really bland or even bitter smoothie.
• Use organic matcha powder that has no extra additives in it! Lots of matcha companies like to sneak in unhealthy ingredients that could damage your gut microbiome.