Creamy matcha lavender date shake
Matcha is one of those things that I absolutely love but somehow can go years without having?
When I’m into it, though, I drink it constantly.
This week, I dreamt up a matcha lavender date shake that was so good I simply had to share it with you here.
Made with almond milk, ground matcha powder, dried culinary lavender, frozen banana, vanilla, ceylon cinnamon and a date for the perfect touch of sweetness, this blend is straight-up to die for (and filled with good for you ingredients).
Keep reading for the juicy health benefits (there are tons!), a few thoughts, tips and suggestions for when you go to make it along with ideas on how to customize it based on your liking or dietary needs. Or just scroll to the bottom for the full recipe.
Health Perks
Matcha is loaded with benefits. A magical green powder so powerful it’s believed to have nutritional equivalence of 10 cups of brewed green tea! It also contains an arsenal of vitamins and minerals, and an unparalleled amount of antioxidants, which help to defend the body against aging and chronic diseases. It’s also said to boost metabolism, lower cholesterol, calm the mind and body, enhance mood and aid in concentration.
It’s low in sugar. Just a single date and half of a banana are your (all-natural sugar) sources here, and that’s it. Ceylon cinnamon is a sweet variety of cinnamon power and does a lot of heavy lifting in this recipe. Check out the recs below if you want an entirely sugar-free option.
Good for digestion and may relieve constipation. Both dates and extra ripe bananas are a great source of fiber and can help promote healthy bowel movements. This, along with the natural caffeine in matcha, will help keep you regular and can offer relief if you’re feeling constipated.
Made with 100% plant based whole foods. That means minimal or no processing of your food, no artificial ingredients, preservatives or added chemicals. Love that for us.
Other Thoughts, Tips and Suggestions
Added protein option. Try 1-2 tbsp of tahini. Or a handful of raw almonds or cashews.
Don’t skip the frozen banana. This is what will give you the creamy “shake” like texture. And be sure it’s extra rip - the more brown spots on the peel, the better!
Lavender free option. Simply leave it out. It offers a nice flowery note, which I love, but it’s not entirely necessary either. If lavender isn’t your thing or you don’t have it on hand, rest assured this blend is just as delicious without it.
Sugar-free option. Omit the dates and banana. If you still want a taste of sweet, try a few drops of plain or vanilla liquid stevia. If you do this, know that it will be less of a shake more of an iced latte in terms of texture.
Try homemade almond milk. This enhances the flavor big time. If you can’t or don’t want to, I recommend using Malk - it’s free of fillers and gums and the taste (and ingredients) is as pure as it gets.
Tools I Used (And Love)
Ensure you have everything you need to prepare your dishes before you set out to make them. And if you don’t, these are the exact tools I used and loved that I know you will too!
Check out the full recipe below. Hope you love it as much as I do!
Creamy Matcha Lavender Date Shake
Prep Time: 2 minutes | Yields: 1 serving
Ingredients:
1.5 tsp matcha powder
1 cup almond milk
1-2 dates, pitted
1 tsp ceylon cinnamon
1 tbsp dried culinary grade lavender
1/8 tsp vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract
1/2 of an extra ripe frozen banana
Pinch of mineral salt
Optional: a few drops of vanilla stevia
Directions
Blend. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender, and blend until completely smooth.
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