Matcha is a super powered version of green tea with a soft and refreshing flavor and some incredible health benefits. Made from the finely ground shoots of green tea leaves that are specially grown in the shade to enhance their nutritional content, Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest beverages available.
Aside from brewing up the tea, you can also use Matcha to make a green tea smoothie and ahead is a great tasting and extremely healthy recipe for it. It’s quick and simple to make and is a delicious breakfast or a potent mid afternoon pick me up.
3 Reasons Why is Matcha so Healthy
Here are the 3 main reasons why Matcha green tea is so good for you and well worth adding to your diet for more energy, disease prevention and better health in general.
1. L-Theanine
The rare amino acid L-Theanine is found primarily in the Camellia Sinensis tea plant and has the unusual ability to promote a sense of calm and alert energy and mental clarity.
L-Theanine has also been studied for promoting lower blood pressure, improved cognitive abilities and memory, stimulating alpha brainwave patterns and even enhancing the quality of your sleep.
Matcha green tea is by far the best natural source of L-Theanine and the smoothie recipe ahead is full of this powerful nutrient.
2. Chlorophyll
The bright green color of a high quality matcha tea like this one I drink is a testament to the exceptional levels of chlorophyll found in the young green tea leaves.
Chlorophyll is the great alkalizer and blood detoxifier and a big part of why green leafy vegetables and wheatgrass are considered so healthy.
3. Antioxidants
Matcha has one of the highest antioxidant ratings of any superfood with an ORAC ranking of 1384 TE/g. This is higher than even acai berries at 1027 TE/g and over 10 times more powerful than pomegranates at 105 TE/g.
The abundant antioxidants in Matcha neutralize free radicals formed in your body from dietary and environmental toxins. Many studies conclude that the more antioxidant rich foods in your diet the lower your risk of life-threatening conditions like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.
Matcha has a gentle, almost creamy flavor without the aftertaste of some cheap green teas. One of the easiest and best tasting ways to have it regularly is in the high-powered smoothie recipe next.
A Simple Green Tea Smoothie Recipe
Here is a satisfying, easy to make and incredibly healthy Matcha green tea smoothie recipe. It’s great for a quick breakfast when you need your energy levels and focus to be at their best. It also makes for a powerful afternoon pick me up if you’re lagging (though due to the small amounts of caffeine it isn’t recommended too close to bed).
You’ll need a good blender to make up this smoothie and many of the other nutritious recipes here on Health Ambition. I’ve used this one for many years and can highly recommend it for getting the job done.
Smoothie Ingredients for 2
- 1 cup of unflavored bio-live yogurt (avoid the sugar saturated fruit kinds that are virtually devoid of probiotics). Alternatively, a cup of healthy almond milk, hemp milk or organic cow’s milk if you tolerate it. Estrogenic soy milk and conventional supermarket milk with antibiotic issues can’t be recommended for truly healthy green tea smoothie.
- 1 heaped teaspoon of organic Matcha green tea, preferably Japanese, widely considered the best. If you really need a high energy day you can try 2 teaspoons, but start with 1 first and avoid coffee – you won’t need it!
- 1 small or half a large avocado. Avocado adds a creamy texture, more antioxidants and heart healthy monounsaturated fats.
- 1 organic apple. If not organic then scrub the skin well with a splash of apple cider vinegar to minimize sprays.
- A couple of drops of no calorie Stevia glycerite if you’d like a little extra sweetness.
Optional Extras
Berries
Berries like blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are high in fiber, quite low in sugars and full of antioxidants. They make a great tasting addition and in the case of blackberries or raspberries will turn this green smoothie a beautiful deep pink.
Flax Seed
Ground flaxseed adds a subtle nutty flavor and an abundance of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Another option is chia seeds, also full of 0mega-3s and healthy digestive fiber that swells up. A few teaspoons of chia seeds will turn your smoothie the consistency of a frothy dessert mousse.
Leafy Vegetables
Green leafy vegetables. To really green up this green tea smoothie you can add a handful of mild tasting greens like spinach or kale. They’ll blend up so well you won’t taste them but they’ll certainly increase the amount of detoxifying chlorophyll and anti-cancer compounds you’re drinking.
Instructions
Start with roughly chopped avocado, apple and any optional extras in the bottom of your blender. Throw in the green Matcha tea, pour the yogurt or milk over the top, add a couple of drops of Stevia and blend it all up on high until the consistency looks good to you. Drink immediately for the best taste and most health benefits.
I hope you enjoy my green tea smoothie recipe and feel free to add any other healthy foods you think would go well with it.
Drinking Matcha tea instead of cortisol raising coffee or especially fattening soda is a highly beneficial dietary change to make. Blend up this green tea smoothie regularly as well and you’ll be on your way to a higher level of health and energy in each day.
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