St. Patrick’s Day may just be the ideal way to ring in spring. No other holiday combines celebratory reveling with the fresh and vibrant color of the season — verdant, gorgeous green. Of course, St. Patrick’s has garnered more of a party reputation over the years, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Instead of imbibing in green-dyed cocktails, why not support your wellbeing with the all-natural stuff? Green tea has enjoyed a bump in popularity over the past several years, but its close cousin, matcha, may just have it beat.

What is Matcha?

Though matcha originated in China, the best-quality matcha typically comes from Japan, where it’s used in tea ceremonies. If you’ve been wondering what the difference between traditional green tea and ceremonial grade matcha, the difference is in the quality and preparation. Where regular green tea is made by simply steeping the leaves, matcha is the whole leaf ground into a fine powder. Like most whole foods, consuming matcha guarantees you reap the maximum rewards because you’re drinking the entire plant, like potent skin-loving antioxidants and gentle energy thanks to L-theanine.

While traditional matcha is prepared by gently whisking the tea powder together with hot water, there are plenty of ways to shake things up a bit. Energize your St. Patrick’s Day morning by whipping up a nourishing matcha latte using detoxifying Hawaiian Spirulina, digestion-friendly cinnamon and creamy coconut butter. But why stop there? Try adding in your favorite adaptogens, brain-boosting MCT oil or collagen peptides to make a filling drink to sip in the morning or afternoon. Ready to get started?

St. Patrick’s Day Green Matcha Latte

{makes 1 serving}

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 – 1 ½ tsp ceremonial grade matcha powder
  • ½ tsp spirulina or chlorella powder (we used Nutrex Hawaiian Spirulina)
  • 8-10 oz. hot water (not boiling)
  • 1 -2 Tbsp coconut butter
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon

 

Optional:

  • 1 scoop collagen peptides
  • 1 tsp – 1 Tbsp MCT oil (if you’re new to MCT, start out small)
  • Adaptogens

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender and blend on high, 30 seconds to 1 minute (or until frothy and well-mixed). Pour into a mug & enjoy!

 

Do you have a favorite matcha recipe? Share yours with us on Instagram or Facebook with @AvocadoMattress or #AvocadoGreenMagazine

 

Julie O'Boyle is a freelance writer and content strategist with a background in fashion and DIY and a devotion to the outdoors and functional nutrition. Currently residing in the woods of Maine, when she's not writing you can find her at the beach or on a mountain, or otherwise getting her hands dirty.

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