Usually when there is a new trendy food or fad diet if we haven’t already heard about it, either our New York City clients ask us about it or we get a call from the media to give them the scoop. In the case of matcha, both were happening. We contributed to this Shape article on matcha the same week that we were called by the local news to talk about it—and bombarded by questions from our clients. So we knew we had to give this new hottie a whirl!
Before this, Green tea was getting the green spotlight—and that’s why we created our Detoxifying Green Tea Smoothie and this Avocado and Apple Green Smoothie so you could get it even if you aren’t a tea drinker. 😉
But as fab as green tea is, matcha is green tea on healthy steroids. So what’s the big deal about this green powder? Matcha comes from a tea leaf that is steamed, dried, then ground into the fresh green powder that you use to cook with! Matcha is even more powerful than green tea because instead of just getting the benefits and the antioxidants that leach into the tea, when you drink matcha you drink the entire ground leaves and 100% of the nutrients in this leaf, so you get more potent antioxidants and benefits. That means you consume more of the catechins that have been associated with everything from reducing cancer and blood pressure to protecting your brain against aging.
Wondering if matcha may help with weight loss the same way green tea does?
The phyntonutrient in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that research shows may help to boost metabolism is much higher in matcha. Score for matcha! So while more studies are needed to confirm that matcha can actually boost your metabolism, it’s so good for you and it will save calories over any drink with calories, so you can’t go wrong by improving your health and making your body stronger so that you can feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day’s activities! Let’s face it- it’s hard to even think about losing weight when you don’t feel good. So if you don’t want to sip some matcha, add its calorie-free green goodness to this drink!
Summertime Matcha Smoothie
This recipe also calls for hemp, which is an excellent source of protein and fiber and combined with phytonutrient-packed matcha is great for a post workout energy booster, or just to start off your day on the right foot! Once you try it, you’ll be hooked!
Serves 1
Ingredients
½ cup strawberries
1 peach (medium)
½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
2 tsp matcha
1 tbsp organic hemp protein powder (or protein powder of choice)*
½ cup ice cubes
Directions:
1. Cut the strawberries into halves, then measure out a ½ cup portion.
2. Slice the peach and remove the seed from the inside. Combine the strawberries and peach slices in the blender.
3. Place the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Mix the matcha and hemp into the Greek yogurt, then place this mixture into the blender. This will help prevent the matcha and hemp powder from sticking to the sides of the blender.
4. Lastly, add the ice cubes into the blender. Mix all the ingredients together. Enjoy!
*Note, if you skip the protein powder, the flavor will not be affected, but eat a source of protein such as a Nonfat Greek yogurt with it for satiety.
Yield: 1 smoothie
Serving Size: 12 ounces
Nutrition Information
Calories: 182
Carbohydrates: 30 g
Fat: 1 g
Protein: 16 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 58 mg
Sugars: 20 g
Fiber: 8 g
- ½ cup strawberries
- 1 peach (medium)
- ½ cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp matcha
- 1 tbsp organic hemp protein powder (or protein powder of choice)*
- ½ cup ice cubes
- Cut the strawberries into halves, then measure out a ½ cup portion.
- Slice the peach and remove the seed from the inside. Combine the strawberries and peach slices in the blender.
- Place the Greek yogurt in a bowl. Mix the matcha and hemp into the Greek yogurt, then place this mixture into the blender. This will help prevent the matcha and hemp powder from sticking to the sides of the blender.
- Lastly, add the ice cubes into the blender. Mix all the ingredients together. Enjoy!
- *Note, if you skip the protein powder, the flavor will not be affected, but eat a source of protein such as a Nonfat Greek yogurt with it for satiety.