Banana Matcha Smoothie

Banana Matcha Smoothie

This recipe makes one satisfying smoothie. Feel free to adjust the quantities to make more.

You’ll Need:

• 1 ripe banana, peeled and sliced (fresh or frozen works well; frozen will make a thicker smoothie)
• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy options like almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk all work great)
• 1 teaspoon matcha green tea powder (adjust to your taste preference; start with less if you’re new to matcha)
• ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
• A few ice cubes (optional, especially if using fresh banana and you prefer a colder, thicker smoothie)
• Optional additions for extra flavor and nutrition:
  • ½ teaspoon chia seeds or flax seeds
  • A small handful of spinach or kale (you won’t taste it much, and it adds nutrients!)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Garnish (Optional):

• A few slices of banana
• A sprinkle of extra matcha powder

Instructions:

1. Combine Ingredients in the Blender:

   • Place the sliced banana in your blender.
   • Pour in the milk of your choice.
   • Add the matcha green tea powder. It’s often helpful to sift the matcha through a fine-mesh sieve if it tends to clump, ensuring a smoother smoothie.
   • If you’re using a sweetener, add the honey or maple syrup.
   • If you’d like to add chia seeds, flax seeds, spinach, kale, or vanilla extract, add them to the blender now as well.
   • If you’re using a fresh banana and prefer a colder, thicker smoothie, add a few ice cubes. If you’re using a frozen banana, you might not need ice.

2. Blend Until Smooth:

   • Secure the lid tightly on your blender.
   • Blend all the ingredients on medium speed initially, then increase to high speed until the smoothie is completely smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no clumps of matcha powder or banana pieces remaining. This usually takes about 30-60 seconds, depending on your blender’s power.

3. Check Consistency and Taste:

   • Pour the smoothie into a glass.
   • Take a sip and check the consistency. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk (a tablespoon at a time) and blend briefly until you reach your desired consistency.
   • Taste for sweetness and matcha intensity. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey or maple syrup and stir it in. If you want a stronger matcha flavor, you can carefully whisk in a tiny bit more matcha powder (be mindful, as too much can make it bitter).

4. Garnish (Optional):

   • If you’d like to make your smoothie look extra appealing, you can garnish it with a few slices of fresh banana on top.
   • For a visual touch, you can also lightly sprinkle a tiny amount of extra matcha powder over the top.

5. Serve Immediately and Enjoy:

   • Your delicious and energizing Banana Matcha Smoothie is best enjoyed fresh!

Enjoy your healthy and flavorful smoothie! Let me know if you have any other questions.