Matcha is a very popular beverage, with chain coffee restaurants adding to the craze over the past few years. This strawberry matcha smoothie is a nice fruity twist on the classic green matcha drink.
I’ve even been practicing how to get those beautiful layers of green matcha and pink strawberry for you. See my sad pics for proof lol. If you have tips, I’m all ears! Either way, the taste is fantastic and the health benefits make this beverage a winner in my book.
Try this recipe: Healthy Green Tea Latte Recipe (Without Matcha)
What Is Matcha?
Matcha is a type of powdered green tea that is made from ground up whole, green tea leaves. The many health benefits linked to matcha consumption are largely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Matcha powder contains numerous active compounds, including L-theanine, caffeine, chlorophyll and multiple types of catechins. The main catechin in matcha powder is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
Is Strawberry Matcha Good?
You bet it is! If you like strawberries and the taste of matcha, then you’re going to the love the combination of strawberry and matcha together.
Strawberries are naturally sweet and obviously fruity. The red color of the strawberries contrasts with the green matcha, which is why it looks so beautiful as it swirls together in your glass.
And matcha powder is made from crushed green tea leaves. It is a great alternative to coffee, as it also contains caffeine.
The taste of matcha is mellow, earthy, and slightly sweet. It’s hard to describe without tasting it for yourself, so give this strawberry matcha smoothie a try and see for yourself!
Note: An 8-ounce cup of coffee can contain anywhere from 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine. This strawberry matcha smoothie contains 70 milligrams of caffeine per serving. In addition, it has nearly 8 grams of fiber and 1100 milligrams of potassium!
While matcha does have health benefits and a TON of antioxidants, those with caffeine sensitivities, pregnant women, or those with high blood pressure may need to avoid caffeine altogether. Studies do show that caffeine may temporarily increase your heart rate and blood pressure. However, if you are a daily caffeine consumer, it may not have an impact on blood pressure or heart rate.
Matcha Powder in Smoothies Benefits
The active components in matcha powder (mainly EGCG) have been linked to a number of health benefits, including:
- Improving heart health: The EGCG and a phenolic compound called rutin in matcha may help protect the heart and arteries from damage. Studies show that EGCG can help lower LDL cholesterol and inhibit factors that contribute to heart disease.
- Improving blood sugar levels: Consuming matcha has also been shown to have blood sugar lower abilities by limiting the sudden release of glucose in your GI tract.
- Boosting metabolism: Matcha contains caffeine and EGCG, which can help boost metabolism, promote weight loss, and suppress your appetite.
- Improving brain function: The caffeine, L-theanine, and EGCG in matcha may improve cognitive function and memory. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety and may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer’s dementia.
- Cancer prevention: Matcha contains catechins, which have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that drinking matcha may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as colon cancer and biliary duct cancer.
- Antioxidant protection: Matcha is high in antioxidants, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and chronic diseases.
- Immune protection: One study shows that matcha may even help boost immunity and prevent viruses, including COVID-19.
Related Article: Tea for Heart Health: How a Cup a Day Can Improve Your Cardiovascular Health
My Matcha Recommendation
For an absolutely amazing tasting matcha powder, I recommend Paromi Tea’s organic matcha with vanilla. They have other flavors as well, including a matcha powder with cocoa that I’ve been dying to try.
Ingredients
With only a few simple ingredients, you can have an aesthetically pleasing strawberry matcha smoothie that looks just as impressive as any coffeehouse matcha smoothie. Here’s what you’ll need:
Almond Milk– This is my base liquid of choice in this matcha smoothie recipe. You can use any other plant-based or dairy milk of your choosing.
Frozen Strawberries– Freshly picked, sweet strawberries that are pre-frozen are perfect for smoothie recipes like this! They add a touch of fruity sweetness without needing any added sugars. However, if you don’t have any fresh strawberries, frozen will work just fine.
Frozen Banana– Using frozen bananas in this strawberry matcha smoothie is a great way to add thickness and sweetness.
Matcha Powder– I love the Paromi tea brand and their organic matcha powder with vanilla.
Spinach– Use just a handful of spinach in the matcha portion of this smoothie to add to the vibrantly green color and provide some additional nutrients, such as vitamin K, vitamin C, iron, and potassium.
Avocado– the creaminess of avocados is so underrated. They are a great addition to smoothies where they add richness and healthy fats, which are excellent for heart health!
Ice cubes– Add some ice to your smoothie if you like that extra frozen texture. In this recipe I add them between layers, attempting to get those impressive, separated layers of pink, white, and green.
How to Make Strawberry Matcha Smoothie
There are a few steps if you prefer to layer your smoothie. I cover this in the recipe instructions. However, if you don’t care much for the layered look, follow these steps:
1. Prep Your Ingredients
Start by gathering all your ingredients, measuring each one out according to the recipe. Each recipe will make one single strawberry matcha smoothie.
2. Blend Ingredients
As mentioned, if you don’t want to layer your smoothie, just add all of the ingredients to your blender and blend everything for at least one minute, or until the mixture is completely smooth. Then enjoy!
FAQ
Yes. Matcha contains ingredients that may aid weight loss, including an antioxidant polyphenol called EGCG. Studies mainly focus on green tea extract, however matcha contains up to 10 times the amount of polyphenols than green tea. Studies also show that EGCG may help reduce overall weight and waist circumference by decreasing hormones that make you feel hungry.
While this smoothie will taste best when its consumed right away, you can make it up to a day ahead. Simply blend and pour per the recipe instructions, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or cup with a lid. Freeze until ready to drink. Let this thaw for 1-2 hours, then blend again, adding extra water or almond milk as needed.
Yes, all ingredients are plant-based and free of any animal products. You can vary the flavor slightly and keep this vegan by using other vegan milks, like soy, cashew, rice, pea, or coconut.
Other Smoothie Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Beet Smoothie for High Blood Pressure
- Seriously Delicious Cranberry Lemonade Smoothie
- Green Passion Smoothie (COPYCAT)
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie [Vegan]
- (Heart Healthy) Bahama Mama Tropical Smoothie Recipe
Other Recipes Using Matcha Powder
- Iced Matcha Latte (Starbucks Copycat) by Registered Dietitian Megan Byrd
- Oat Milk Matcha Latte by Angela Lago, MS, RDN, LDN, FAND
- Iced Matcha Lemonade by Mary Ann from Life is Better With Tea
- Matcha Tea Smoothie Bowl by Sharon Palmer, RDN, MSFS from the Plant-Powered Dietitian
Strawberry Matcha Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 blender
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Layer
- 4 ounces unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ medium frozen banana
For the Matcha Layer
- 6 ounces unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp matcha powder (I use Paromi Tea brand)
- ¼ avocado
- ½ medium frozen banana
- ½ cup spinach (about a handful)
Additional Ingredients
- 2 ounces unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Layer
- Blend the three strawberry layer ingredients in a blender until smooth. Then pour into a large glass.
Make the Matcha Layer
- Blend the matcha later ingredients together in a blender until smooth.
Assemble the Smoothie
- Before adding the matcha layer to your glass, carefully pour the additional 2 ounces of almond milk into your strawberry layer.
- Then carefully pour the green, matcha layer into the same glass. You can swirl the ingredients slightly to see a pink, green, and white swirling effect.
- Enjoy your strawberry matcha smoothie!
Video
Notes
- Layering beverages can be very tricky. If you want to get a more separated layer effect, try adding ice cubes between each of the different colored layers, carefully pouring the next layer onto an ice cube so it stays at the top.
- This recipe make 1 serving of match strawberry smoothie which contains ~70 mg of caffeine. In comparison, an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains ~95 mg of caffeine.
- If you have a low potassium level, this smoothie contains a whopping 1100 mg of potassium!
Share with me: How did you do with the layering of this recipe? Leave me a comment and share what you thought of the taste, process, or anything else. I love hearing from you!
Kiran Campbell is a registered dietitian and entrepreneur with 13 years of experience. She has a degree in psychology as well as dietetics. She is also a proud member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ and its Cardiovascular Health and Well-being Dietetics Practice Group among others. Kiran proudly presents and promotes the most up-to-date, science-based nutrition information on all things heart-related. She aims to serve not only individuals with heart disease, but also those wanting to protect against it. Learn more about Kiran by visiting her About Page.