Summer’s officially here, which means frozen drinks are a must-have. Nothing beats the heat like an iced coffee or a cold smoothie, right?

Speaking of smoothies, you might be looking for a new recipe to keep you cool while you enjoy the summer sun. Read on for our favorite smoothie recipe that blends the benefits of matcha, collagen, and functional mushrooms.

What Is Matcha?

Matcha is a powdered form of green tea. It’s much higher in caffeine, L-theanine, and chlorophyll than regular green tea, which is why its benefits are so much stronger.

While many commercial lattes and smoothies are made with culinary-grade matcha, this lower-quality matcha can often taste extra grassy and bitter. When it comes to smoothies, we prefer to use culinary-grade matcha, which is a more pure version of matcha with a much sweeter taste.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a type of protein that can be found throughout your body. Some people take collagen supplements as well to help support their health.

Some of the main benefits of collagen supplements include:

• Supporting the intestinal walls
• Encouraging hair and nail strength
• Supporting more youthful-looking skin
• Encouraging joint health

The Best Matcha Collagen Smoothie

Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for. Here is the recipe for our tried-and-true matcha collagen smoothie. Inside, you’ll find tons of probiotics, prebiotic fiber, brain-supporting bioactives, and a pinch of refreshing sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon of Everyday Dose Mushroom Matcha+
• 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt for a vegan option)
• 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 handful of spinach (optional, for extra nutrients)
• 1/2 cup of ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Matcha: In a small bowl, froth the matcha powder with a few tablespoons of hot water until it forms a smooth, thin paste. This helps dissolve the matcha and prevent clumping.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a blender, add the matcha paste, almond milk, frozen banana, Greek yogurt, sweetener, vanilla extract, and spinach.
3. Blend: Blend the ingredients on high until the smoothie is smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can add more ice cubes or frozen bananas. If it's too thick, add a little more almond milk until you reach your desired consistency.
4. Taste and Adjust: Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness if needed by adding more honey or maple syrup.
5. Serve: Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Tips:

• For an extra boost of protein, you can add a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder. If you’re not sure how much protein you need, talk to a dietitian to make sure you’re not getting too much protein.
• If you like a more tropical flavor, try adding a handful of frozen mango or pineapple.
• To make it even creamier, you can add a tablespoon of almond butter or cashew butter. These are sweeter than peanut butter and will go better with the earthy matcha flavor.

Wrapping It Up

There you have it! We love matcha for its taste, but the real reason we’re mad about matcha is its benefits. This smoothie perfectly balances the grassy flavor of matcha with the tangy sweetness of other ingredients, which makes it a delicious way to get those benefits throughout the day.

If you love matcha but aren’t quite sure how to use it, you’re in luck! You can find more recipes, health tips, and health-supporting products on the Everyday Dose blog.

Sources:

What is the benefit of collagen in your diet? | Gundersen Health System

The Important Health Benefits Of Matcha Tea | Piedmont Healthcare

Functional Mushrooms: What’s Up with These Fun Guys? | University of Utah Health

Are you getting too much protein? | Mayo Clinic Health System