5 Matcha Tea Smoothies to Lose Weight and Boost Your Health
I’ve been a big fan of green tea for years, so you can guess how excited I was when I recently found out about a type that is even more potent (and healthy) than even traditional green tea!
I couldn’t wait to start taking advantage of the extra benefits, so I started looking around for ways to include it in my smoothies.
I wasn’t sure what kind of smoothies to use it in, to begin with, but soon found out it’s actually pretty versatile and works well in a lot of different recipes.
Want to easily lose weight with smoothies?
Get our secret smoothie recipes e-book for free!
Delicious * Easy * Quick
Adding matcha green tea to your smoothies is a really easy way to take advantage of its impressive qualities.
In this post, I’m going to share some of the healthiest and most delicious ways to enjoy its goodness as part of your smoothie habit, as well as what to beware of when using Matcha.
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a look at what matcha is and exactly how it can help you to get healthier and lose weight.
What is Matcha Tea?
Matcha comes from the Camellia sinensis plant and has been popular in Asia for more than a thousand years. It’s specifically grown in the shade, and this is what gives it such a vivid green color.
For centuries, Japanese monks meditating for long hours used matcha tea to remain alert while keeping calm.
Researchers have confirmed that matcha can aid in achieving this “relaxed alertness state” and concentrating better, which is beneficial if you’re studying or meditating.
The reason for these benefits of matcha tea is the high contents of the amino acid L-Theanine. Matcha has 5 times more L-Theanine than usual green or black teas.
Unlike other green teas, you ingest the whole leaf, which is crushed into a fine powder, and not just the leaves brewed in water. This brings a whole heap more health benefits!
Health Benefits of Matcha Tea
Matcha green tea is one of the healthiest things you can add to your smoothies, and here’s why:
- Full of antioxidants: Green tea is known for having lots of antioxidants, but matcha is in a league of its own, particularly when it comes to Catechin (a really powerful type of antioxidant) called EGCG. Matcha has a staggering 137 times more EGCG than what we typically think of as green tea.
- It can fight diseases: Catechins such as EGCG have a big role to play in fighting diseases and can be more effective than vitamins C and E in reducing oxidative stress on cells.
- It can protect against cancer: Studies have shown that matcha can reduce the risk of developing certain cancers, notably bladder, colon and rectal, breast, and prostate cancers. It’s thought that this is another effect of the high levels of EGCG in matcha.
- Antibiotic: The high amount of EGCG also gives matcha tea anti-infective and antibiotic qualities.
- Improves cardiovascular health: EGCG has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, and green tea catechins can also reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels.
- Reduces diabetes risk: Studies have shown that green tea can reduce insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose levels.
- Improves mental health: The high concentration of L-Theanine in matcha has been shown to help treat anxiety.
- May be able to treat chronic fatigue: Matcha is known for providing an energy boost, but studies on mice have suggested that it can even treat chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Detoxes the body: Matcha contains high levels of chlorophyll, which is believed to have detoxifying qualities.
What's My Favorite Matcha?
I'm often asked which tea brand I would recommend.
So, here's the one (drumroll)…
I absolutely love this authentic Japanese brand.
How Matcha Tea Helps You Lose Weight
Matcha has been found to help you to lose weight in two important ways:
- Reduces body fat: Consuming tea that contains lots of catechins has been shown to reduce body fat much more effectively than tea that has fewer catechins. In other words, matcha tea has a real fat loss advantage over regular teas.
- Reduces appetite: EGCG can reduce appetite by quite some margin, which means it can help you reduce food quantities and cravings.
How Much Should I Consume a Day?
With matcha, you’re drinking the whole leaf, and this makes the effects a lot more potent.
This means you don’t need to go overboard with how much you drink, and one cup a day is enough when it’s drunk as tea.
This goes to adding it to your smoothies as well - if you add the same amount of matcha powder to your smoothie as you would add to a cup of tea, you should limit it to a single matcha serving per day.
Precautions - Can Matcha Be Unhealthy?
I’ve introduced you to some of the reasons why matcha is so highly regarded as a health food, but there are some potential downsides to be aware of too:
- Not all matcha has the same qualities; some products vary in terms of the catechins and caffeine they contain, and this can affect how healthy your matcha really is. Teas with fewer catechins won’t have the powerful benefits that I’ve talked about in this post - go for reputable brands.
- Some matcha products contain a fair amount of lead, which is naturally absorbed by the plant leaves from the environment. The report suggests this is more the case with some Chinese sourced matcha, while Japanese sourced teas were cleared.
How Long Can I Store Matcha Tea?
Matcha needs to be kept away from heat, light, and air. If it’s exposed to these elements, the nutrients will degrade quickly.
Storing the matcha container in the refrigerator before you start using it can help it to stay at its best for longer. Once it’s open, transfer the matcha to an airtight container and keep it in a dark cupboard or in the refrigerator.
For the most part, matcha will last for at least 6 months and sometimes up to a year, but it will usually be past its best after that.
What are the Different Types of Matcha?
Matcha powder comes in two main types and several varieties.
When you compare them to one another, you’ll notice not only a difference in color and fineness of the powder but also in the intensity of taste.
Ceremonial Grade
The highest grade and the most expensive type. The major tea schools and Buddhist temples in Japan are using Matcha of this grade, but outside Japan, it is rare to find it.
Ceremonial Matcha is made from the youngest tea leaves, which are stone ground. You'll recognize it by the bright green color and thick texture of the tea.
Culinary Grade
The more readily available version, and the one used for drinking, cooking, and baking.
It isn’t necessarily of lower quality than Ceremonial Grade; it is just prepared in a slightly different way.
There are several varieties of Culinary Grade Matcha:
Premium grade
Quality is usually high, but at a lower price than ceremonial. It is suitable for drinking as well as a high-quality addition to smoothies and other recipes.
There have been reports that some companies label their powder as “Ceremonial” when it is actually Premium grade. Since there’s no regulatory body controlling these labels, we advise buying only from reputable brands and from a reputable source.
This brand is one of the most reputable and highest qualities we know.
Café Grade
This variety is made from less delicate leaves and features a very strong flavor. That's why it is often used for cooking and baking, where its smell and taste can shine through more clearly.
Ingredient grade
A lower quality grade but works very well for recipes that contain milk and other dairy products such as smoothies, cakes, and ice cream.
However, for use in smoothies, where you make a green smoothie with mainly vegetables and pour the tea into your blender jar as a base, many still prefer the better and fresher tasting Premium grade.
Kitchen Grade
Made from the least delicate leaves, which is why it is the cheapest. It has a sharp flavor and is often used for experimenting with new recipes before applying finer matcha powders.
What Flavors Taste Good with Matcha?
It is always a good idea to infuse a little fruit flavor into your green tea. You can do this by using fresh-cut fruit. Citrus pairs very well with matcha. So, don't be afraid to use a little lemon or orange to impart that citrus flavor into your matcha smoothie.
You can also use, frozen blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries as well. For even more outside of the box thinking, try watermelon, cantaloupe, nectarine, and even peaches.
You can also add in a few splashes of fruit juices like cranberry, orange, or grape juice. This will enhance the matcha's flavor and make for a delicious treat.
Remember, though, when making a smoothie or even a glass or cup of tea, you want to be careful about how much sugar you are adding. This is especially true if you are using it to help with weight loss.
Too much sugar can cause weight gain. So, when you use the fruit, it is sometimes best to refrain from adding additional sugar. The fruit is naturally sweet all on its own.
What Else Can You Do with Matcha Powder?
If you want to make other things besides a smoothie, there really are endless possibilities when it comes to matcha powder. In addition to a green smoothie containing a banana peeled, almond milk unsweetened, honey, and matcha, you can also make delicious Fro Yo Pops.
To make this treat, simply mix matcha powder with plain yogurt and drizzle in a small bit of honey. You can then freeze the mixture into molds. It makes a great on the go treat.
Want a pick me up in the morning? Combine one teaspoon of your matcha powder with hot water and then pour a few ounces of steamed milk (your choice) over the powder and mix for a delicious and health-boosting matcha latte.
Why Is Matcha Good for Weight Loss?
It has been said that matcha can help you boost your calorie-burning up to four times, which can definitely help you if your goal is to lose weight. Matcha also contains 137 times the antioxidants than you would find in regular tea. These powerful antioxidants help increase your metabolic rate during each of your workouts, which ultimately also helps with your weight loss.
For weight loss, you should consider consuming between one and four teaspoons of matcha powder each day. It can also provide you with a good lift to your day if you choose to drink it in the morning. It can also be a great pick me up for the afternoon, or even help in the evening when you want to wind down or focus and concentrate. It is incredibly versatile and helps burn calories.
How Green Tea Lowers Your Body Mass Index
There was a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that said that green tea and caffeine helped to significantly lower a person's body mass index (BMI) compared to a caffeine-free green tea variety.
When the tea goes through a decaffeination process, the number of flavanols and antioxidants in the tea is reduced drastically. These are the agents that help with weight loss and weight loss management. Therefore, caffeine helps.
Is Matcha a Superfood?
Many do believe that matcha is a superfood that can help super charge you. There are over six times the powerful antioxidants when compared to other superfoods. It is energizing and works as a good anti-inflammatory for your workouts.
When you drink matcha, it can help fight off free radicals, it is higher in chlorophyll when compared to regular teas and can help protect the blood and heart while preventing joint inflammation.
It has also been found to raise your metabolism in a more natural way instead of having to turn to energy drinks and diet pills for a pick me up and weight loss aid.
What's the Best Tea to Use for these Recipes?
I'm often asked what tea brand can I recommend? So here's the one - I absolutely love this authentic Japanese brand - you can check it out here.
Delicious and Healthy Matcha Tea Smoothie Recipes
Matcha tea powder can be used in lots of different smoothies, but there are some ingredients that it works particularly well with.
Keep reading to discover some of the best matcha green tea recipes we’ve found!
1. Energizing Matcha Green Tea Smoothie Recipe
Recipe and image via jessicagavin
This recipe combines the creaminess of matcha green tea with a hint of tang from the peaches, and the result is totally refreshing!
If you prefer, you can easily swap out the pistachios in favor of other nuts and replace the coconut milk with almond milk or regular milk to suit your preferences.
Servings: 3 Cups
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups peaches frozen
- 1 banana sliced
- 1 cup baby spinach packed
- 1/4 cups pistachios shelled and roasted (salted okay)
- 2 teaspoons matcha green tea powder Green Foods Matcha
- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 cup coconut milk unsweetened
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a blender
- Blend for about 90 seconds until the mixture is smooth
- Add vanilla to taste if desired
2. Coconut Vanilla Matcha Smoothie
Recipe and image via acouplecooks
The combination of coconut, vanilla, and matcha works really well in this smoothie, and you can add a touch of extra sweetness with some agave nectar.
If you prefer, you can swap this out for something like maple syrup and honey for the same effect. Plus, you’ve got banana and pineapple to make it super healthy!
Servings: 3 Cups
Ingredients
- 1 can light coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon Aiya cooking-grade matcha
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ tablespoons agave nectar
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup frozen pineapple
- ½ ripe banana
- ½ ripe banana
- Small pinch salt
Instructions
In a blender, blend all ingredients together on high-speed, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary.
See here for the blender food processors!
3. Matcha Protein Smoothie
Recipe and image via fortheloveofbasil
This smoothie is packed full of super healthy foods and protein. It’s ideal as a post-workout energy boost or just for days where you really need a big pick-me-up at breakfast time for the hours ahead.
Fan of breakfast smoothies? Click here for more recipes!
If you’ve ever tried (and loved!) matcha lattes from Starbucks, this recipe is pretty close to that and was actually inspired by it!
Servings: 3 Cups
Ingredients
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 cup kale
- 2 tablespoon vanilla coconut yogurt
- 1 cup of coconut water
- ½ scoop of vanilla protein powder
- A handful of ice - optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend together until smooth.
- Add more coconut water if needed.
4. Matcha Vanilla Smoothie
Recipe and image via loveandlemons
This smoothie uses two of my go-to ingredients for healthy, yummy smoothies - almond milk as a base and bananas as the main ingredient. This makes for a creamy texture, and with the added vanilla, it tastes much sinful than it actually is!
This recipe is perfect for days when you want a bit of a sweet hit but still want to know that your smoothie is packed full of goodness.
5. Mango, Banana & Spinach Matcha Smoothie
Recipe and image via lovingitvegan
This may look like a purely green smoothie, but I love that it contains fruit and vegetables, so it’s a great way to pack in lots of nutrients, plus your matcha boost, of course!
It has a creamy and smooth texture that you’re sure to love and doesn’t take much prep time either.
Just be aware that it’s recommended to freeze the bananas beforehand.
Which recipes will you be trying out next? I’d love to get your thoughts in the comments.
I really hope you enjoyed reading this post. Please go ahead and share it on social media!
