People love matcha, and there's good reason for it. That gorgeous green powder is full of nutritional benefits. There are so many ways to enjoy matcha, from drinking it in hot teas and lattes to adding it to desserts like cookies and donuts. I love using matcha in smoothies. This pineapple matcha green smoothie is so refreshening, has a tropical vibe, and is an easy way for you to get a powerful dose of antioxidant and immune supporting nutrients. It's the perfect drink for breakfast or when you need a healthy lift throughout the day.
What is Matcha?
Matcha is made from a type of green tea leaf that is grown in the shade. This increases the presence of chlorophyll and ultimately the overall nutritional value of the leaves. According to recent studies, matcha contains more powerful levels of antioxidants than any other tea leaf.
Health Benefits of Matcha
Certain substances in matcha have been identified and shown to be beneficial in preventing cancer, heart disease, inflammation, cognitive decline and even for improving carbohydrate metabolism.
But, is matcha the magical pathway to health? Not at all. Using so called "superfoods" like matcha, is only part of the equation. If most of the food you eat is of poor nutritional quality, then drinking a matcha latte once in awhile is not going to fix that. However, if you are looking to add matcha as part of your healthy diet regimen and you enjoy it, then by all means include it. This pineapple matcha green smoothie is the perfect recipe if you are new to using matcha powder, because it blends easily and the green tea flavor is not too overwhelming.
Matcha does contain higher amounts of caffeine than most teas and coffee. But, because of the presence of an amino acid called L-theanine, caffeine is absorbed much more slowly, causing less of a caffeine crash that is commonly associated with coffee. People who are sensitive to caffeine can sometimes tolerate matcha much better.
Recipe Ingredients and Notes
I love the combination of pineapple and coconut water in this recipe. The matcha flavor blends so nicely with the fresh, green kale. To add thickness, I used some chopped bananas and the result was a delightful, tropical flavor that was super refreshing. But, this smoothie definitely needs to be served cold. So, I added a good handful of ice right before blending. You could also use frozen bananas or pineapple to help achieve the perfect temperature of your smoothie.
Pineapple Matcha Green Smoothie
Equipment
- high powered blender
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup coconut water
- ½ cup fresh juicy chopped pineapple
- 1 banana
- 1 cup kale
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- large handful of ice
Instructions
- Add ingredients in the order listed to a high powered blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Serve in chilled glasses if desired.
Nutrition
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