Morning Matcha Smoothie Recipe
Rise and shine with this energizing matcha smoothie recipe! Banana, pineapple, and coconut milk blended into a creamy spinach smoothie with matcha powder—for a refreshing morning caffeine boost, plus a powerful dose of antioxidants! All the benefits of matcha green tea, packed into a naturally sweet green smoothie with no added sugars or sweeteners.

What is matcha powder?
Matcha green tea powder is a finely ground powder made from specially grown tea leaves. Although matcha comes from the same plant as other varieties of green tea, matcha tea plants are grown in the shade, harvested when they’re young, and the leaves are ground into a fine powder. With the nutrients from the entire leaf, matcha powder is higher in caffeine and antioxidants than other green teas, and it has a more vibrant green color. Instead of steeping matcha, the powder is simply whisked into hot water to make matcha tea—or you can blend matcha in a smoothie!
Is matcha good in smoothies?
Generally, matcha powder has an earthy, bitter, almost grassy flavor that can be quite potent. Honestly, I’m not usually a fan of matcha-flavored anything, but I love how its flavor transforms in a matcha fruit smoothie! Sweet, tropical fruits like banana and pineapple complement matcha’s flavor wonderfully—mellowing out its bitterness and highlighting its subtle sweet notes. And, you can make any smoothie more energizing with matcha powder, thanks to its powerful combination of caffeine and L-theanine!
Matcha Green Tea Smoothie Benefits
- Rich in Antioxidants. Matcha powder is an incredible source of antioxidants—with more antioxidants than any other type of green tea! Adding matcha to smoothies is a great way to increase your overall antioxidant intake, which can reduce free radical damage and lower the risk of numerous chronic diseases.
- Anti-Carcinogenic. Among all its antioxidants, matcha powder is particularly rich in catechins—and more specifically, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). This is a unique type of catechin that has demonstrated powerful anti-cancer effects, helping to slow the growth of some cancers, and even kill certain types of cancer cells.
- Boosts Brain Function. Matcha is also a powerful ingredient to use in smoothies for focus and energy. This matcha smoothie contains around 70mg of caffeine from 1 tsp of matcha powder, which is almost as much caffeine as a standard cup of coffee. But matcha also contains a compound called L-theanine, which enhances caffeine’s effects: promoting alertness and focus, while preventing the post-caffeine energy ‘crash.’ In combination, the caffeine and L-theanine in matcha can help boost brain function and regulate stress levels—making this healthy smoothie the ultimate morning beverage!
What is the best matcha for smoothies?
Whether you’re making a cup of matcha tea, a matcha latte, or adding matcha powder to smoothies, using a higher-quality matcha powder can make a big difference. Ceremonial-grade matcha is the highest quality (and the most expensive)—with a noticeably sweeter palatable flavor, more vibrant green color, and higher antioxidant content. More commonly, you can find culinary-grade matcha powder that’s a bit more affordable and still good quality, although it’s not quite as high-quality as ceremonial-grade. Personally, rather than searching for ceremonial-grade, I’ll compromise by splurging for an organic culinary-grade matcha powder.
Matcha Smoothie Ingredients
- Spinach. I love a simple green smoothie with spinach, fruit, and milk. You can pack tons of fresh or frozen spinach into this recipe, and you won’t even taste it once it’s blended up! Or, feel free to substitute with different greens like kale, romaine, or arugula.
- Banana. Frozen banana provides natural sweetness and creaminess, balancing out the earthier flavors in this matcha and spinach smoothie. As a substitute for banana, you could use additional pineapple or another fruit like mango. Or, add the same creaminess without additional sweetness by using a frozen avocado instead!
- Pineapple. The tropical, syrupy sweetness of pineapple pairs perfectly with matcha powder’s bitter notes. You can use fresh pineapple if preferred, but frozen fruit makes the texture ultra-thick and creamy—more like a matcha shake! If you want a substitute, you could use mango, peaches, kiwi, or additional banana instead.
- Coconut Milk. Paired with banana and pineapple, the silky-smooth texture of coconut milk makes this creamy vegan smoothie taste like a breakfast piña colada! Of course, you can use any variety of milk you prefer—dairy or nondairy. Or substitute with an alternative like coconut water or fruit juice for added sweetness.
- Matcha Powder. Last but not least, this matcha green tea smoothie needs a dash of matcha powder! Again, the best option is a higher-quality ceremonial-grade or culinary-grade matcha for smoothies and shakes. If you don’t have matcha at home, you could also make an antioxidant-rich smoothie with green tea instead—or any variety of tea you like, really.
What else can I make with matcha powder?
Once you have matcha powder at home, there are loads of different ways to use it. Besides making a warm cup of matcha tea or adding matcha to smoothies, you can also make other beverages with matcha—like a refreshing pitcher of matcha lemonade, or homemade matcha bubble tea. And, you can even use matcha powder to make comforting baked goods, like vibrant matcha cakes and bright green matcha cookies!
Matcha Smoothie
Ingredients
Matcha Smoothie:
- 2 ripe bananas frozen
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 2 tsp matcha powder
- 1 cup spinach, frozen if desired
- ¼ cup frozen pineapple
Optional Toppings:
- coconut shreds
- toasted coconut flakes*
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass, serve, and enjoy!
- I like to top mine with coconut shreds and some toasted coconut flakes, but you can use any toppings you prefer!
Notes
- Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 350°F (180°C).
- Spread coconut chips or coconut flakes on a baking sheet.
- Toast for 3-4 minutes. (Make sure to watch while they toast because they’ll brown and burn quickly!)
2 Comments on “Morning Matcha Smoothie Recipe”
Wanted a matcha smoothie recipe and this fit the bill! Love that I get the benefits of matcha but in a sweet smoothie that doesn’t taste bitter at all. Thanks for the recipe
Hi Noe, so happy to hear that this morning matcha smoothie was what you were looking for! We appreciate you trying the recipe & sharing your feedback with us 🙂