I may be a little obsessed with matcha, but for good reason. I drink it every.single.day.  It makes me feel so balanced- alert, focused, energized. And I just love all the magic it’s working on the inside as well- reducing inflammation, fighting free radicals, promoting healthy estrogen metabolism, and protecting my DNA from damage that could lead to cancer. 

What is matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground, powdered green tea made from shade-grown tea leaves

Health Benefits

• Antioxidant powerhouse: Matcha contains at least 3x more antioxidants than other types of green tea, and up to 137 times more than some brands!
• Sustained energy (no jitters!)
• Heightened focus and concentration 
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-aging
• Boosts metabolism
• Reduces anxiety (thanks to the L-theanine content)
• Hormone balance

Caffeine content

Matcha                                      vs.                               Coffee

70 mg per tsp (slow release thanks to L-theanine)          95 mg (quick jolt but often followed by jitters and crash)

Choosing a quality matcha

Always opt for organic and ceremonial. Ceremonial grade matchal is more expensive but worth every penny. Trust me on this one!

Regular matcha (culinary)      vs.                               Ceremonial

• Made from older leaves, may include stems          – Made from younger leaves, no stems
• Dull, yellowish-green                                             – Vibrant, bright green
• Bitter and slightly rough                   – Less bitter and smooth

Favorite Brands

I always look for organic and ceremonial grade matcha. Ceremonial matcha can be expensive so I try to look for more affordable options as well. Below are some of my favorites:

Matcha Organics

I plow through matcha so I am always on the hunt for bulk bags. I found this one on Amazon that I am enjoying. It’s organic, tastes good, ceremonial grade, and *relatively” inexpensive. ($11.32 per ounce)

Pique Sun Goddess Matcha ($27.20 per ounce)

Screened for pesticides, heavy metals, and mold

Kenko ($27.99 per ounce)

Matcha Love ($31.41 per ounce)

Ordering matcha at a coffee shop

Did you know many coffee shop matcha letts contain more sugar than a scoop of ice cream? On its own, matcha is one of the healthiest drinks. But it can become a sugar bomb if you’re not mindful of added ingredients. A 12 ounce almond milk matcha latte from Starbucks contains 20 grams of sugar. That;s 5 tsps of sugar, which is more than a scoop of ice cream. 

When ordering matcha lattes out at a coffee shop, ask if their matcha contains added sugar.

When buying matcha for homemade matcha lattes, opt for ceremonial with no added sugar.

Knowledge is power!

Recipes:

Hot Matcha Latte

The most common way I drink matcha is a hot matcha latte in the morning. I make it in a blender, which is not the traditional way to make it. The traditional way to make matcha is with a whisk, but the blender froths it up perfectly! I like to add a touch of sweetness with a clean creamer (Malk or Laird). You can also just add honey or maple syrup in place of the creamer.

Blend the following in a blender:

-12 ounces hot water

-1-2 tsps ceremonial matcha

-4 ounces almond milk (I like Malk or Organic Califia)

-1 TBSP of  Malk vanilla creamer or  Laird superfood creamer (Sweet and Creamy flavor) *both found in the fridge section

Iced Matcha Latte

-¼ cup hot water

-1-2 tsps ceremonial matcha

-8-12 ounces of almond milk (I like Malk or Organic Califia)

-1 TBSP of  Malk vanilla creamer or  Laird superfood creamer (Sweet and Creamy flavor) *both found in the fridge section

-Ice cubes

Add matcha to a glass. Add ¼ cup hot water and whisk together either with a hand whisk or an electric handheld whisk. Add ice cubes. Pour almond milk and creamer into the glass. Whisk again.

Matcha Yogurt Bowl

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Greek yogurt (I like Fage full fat)
• 1/2-1 tsp ceremonial matcha 
• Toppings of your choice- berries, chia, flax, cacao nibs, bee pollen, nuts

Instructions:

1. Add yogurt and matcha to a bowl and mix together.
2. Add toppings of your choice.

Matcha Smoothie Bowl

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup almond milk
• 1 tsp matcha
• 1 TBSP frozen avocado
• 1-2 cups spinach
• 1 TBSP chia or ground flax
• 1 TBSP almond butter
• ½ frozen banana
• ½ inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 scoop plant-based protein powder, such as Sunwarrior
• 4-6 ice cubes

Instructions:Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Put in a bowl and top with cacao nibs, shredded coconut, or a low-sugar granola. Pro tip- opt for a store-bought granola with less than 5 grams of sugar or make your own. This homemade golden granola is my favorite!

Glowing Green Smoothie

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend on high until smooth.

Matcha Electrolyte Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ceremonial matcha powder
• 12-16 ounces of water
• 1 scoop electrolyte powder (Ultima, LMNT, Drink Zyn, and Cure are all good ones)
• Ice

Combine matcha, water, and electrolytes in a glass. Whisk together either with a hand whisk or an electric handheld whisk. Add ice cubes.