Matcha is all the rage these days and for good reason. Matcha is the powder from finely ground green tea leaves that are specially cultivated and processed. Because you are actually ingesting the entire leaf, as opposed to brewing from regular teas leaves, you are consuming a higher amount of nutrients and antioxidants.
Matcha is a great source of caffeine, but doesn't give you that crazy jolt that fizzles out way too soon. I can personally attest to this and it's probably my main reason for using matcha in the first place. When I'm looking for that boost, the first thing that comes to mind is an ice cold coke, and while I'm obviously not a health nut even I know that sodas aren't good for you. If I decide to go with coffee, I usually end up feeling jittery and shaky. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to have both of these things at times and don't even get me started on how much sweet tea I can drink, but matcha gives that "slow burn" where I feel awake and clear headed without some of the nastier side effects.
The down side to matcha is that it's not always easily found and it can be fairly expensive. There are different grades of matcha and the higher the grade the pricier it is. I bought mine at Cost Plus World Market and I know that some Whole Foods sell it. And of course there is always Amazon. Just be sure to purchase the pure powder, not a latte mix that contains other additives.
This drink is a quickly made, refreshing treat that's perfect for summer days. Blueberry season is upon us so fresh picked ones will be great, but frozen always works well. I used an immersion blender to make this single serving. If you don't mind the pulp there is no need to strain it, and if you don't have any sort of blending machine just use a fork or masher to smush up the berries in the water. I added a small bit of agave to balance out the tart lemon juice. It's totally up to your taste buds. Strawberries or blackberries would be a great alternative if blueberries aren't your thing!
INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp matcha powder
Juice of one small lemon
1 cup of water
Handful of blueberries (fresh or frozen)
Optional: sweetener of your choice
INSTRUCTIONS
1) Place blueberries in blender with lemon juice and 1 cup of water
2) Blend until smooth, then strain out any blueberry pulp
3) Add in matcha powder until completely mixed in
4) Taste and adjust for desired sweetness
5) Pour over ice to serve
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