Vanilla Superfood Matcha
Lately I’ve been taking a break from my morning coffee and opting for matcha.
Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee – but I’ve been loving my swap for a superfood matcha. It doesn’t contain as much caffeine as coffee, so don’t expect the same jolt 😉 but the caffeine it does contain (along with L-Theanine, an amino acid that promotes balanced energy throughout the day) combined with maca, functional mushrooms, and superfoods makes me feel ready to take on the day.
Here’s what I use & why:
Four Sigmatic Matcha Mix– I’ve been a lover of Four Sigmatic for awhile – all of their products are high quality and the functional mushrooms make me feel so good. This mix comes with organic, ceremonial grade matcha (always something to look for in your matcha!) along with Lion’s Mane, which is a brain-boosting functional mushroom that helps with focus. It also contains Astralagus for immune support and a hint of ginger for digestive support.
If you’ve been wanting to try functional mushrooms, I highly recommend Four Sigmatic’s Matcha Mix. They also make great mushroom coffee!)
Maca Powder– I don’t know what it is about maca, but it makes me feel like a superhuman when I take it. If you’re looking for an additional boost to your morning drink, this is for you. It’s been said to increase energy, improve stamina, enhance fertility and sex drive. I’ll take all of these benefits, please and thank you. The maca I use and love is made by Terrasoul Superfoods.
Inulin Fiber- Inulin is a type of soluble fiber that is great for intestinal health. The inulin I take in made by Micro Ingredients and comes from artichokes – it’s organic, non-GMO and vegan-friendly.
If you’re wondering about the science behind inulin, it is a "fructan" - meaning that it is made up of chains of fructose molecules that are linked together in a way that cannot be digested by your small intestine. Instead, it travels to the lower gut, where it functions as a prebiotic, or food source for the beneficial bacteria that live there.1
Collagen Protein – Collagen is filled with amino acids that support the health of your hair, skin, nails, bones, & joints. Collagen also helps to make your morning drink extra creamy, which I love! Vital Proteins & Sports Research both make a great marine collagen supplement.
Raw Cacao Butter– This stuff is fabulous. It makes your drinky extra creamy, slightly sweetened, and is filled with antioxidant, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids – all of which can support your immune system and heart health. When looking for cacao butter, always opt for raw and unrefined, which means it hasn’t been treated by heat and still has all the vital nutrients. This raw cacao butter by Terrasoul is my favorite!
Vanilla Bean Powder– I love fresh vanilla beans, but let’s be honest, it’s a pain in the ass to scrape them out of the pod and I’d much prefer to spend that time doing something else, like sitting and enjoying my matcha. 😉 They taste delicious and add a boost of antioxidants – and the powder form makes it easy to add. I love this Madagascar Vanilla Bean Powder by Kiva Health- it’s high-quality, organic, and made with pure Madagascar vanilla without any sugar. (If you’re opting for another brand, be sure to check the label – many have hidden added sugar!)
Ceylon Cinnamon– Again, tastes amazing and provides an added health benefit; Ceylon Cinnamon helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels – meaning you’ll experiences less crashes and maintain more even-keel energy throughout the day. Most store-bought cinnamon contains Korintje Cassia Cinnamon – which is still delicious – but doesn’t provide the added benefits of Ceylon, so be sure to check the label. I use this Ceylon Cinnamon from Simply Organics every single day.
I realize this looks like a lot of ingredients – but I promise, this is a super quick and easy drink to make. Once you have all of the ingredients out, it takes just a few minutes.
Vanilla Superfood Matcha Latte:
Ingredients:
1.5 tsp Four Sigmatic Matcha
1 tsp Maca Powder
1-2 scoops Inulin Fiber (start out with 1 if you’re new to it)
1 scoop Collagen Protein
1 piece Raw Cacao Butter (about the size of your thumb)
½ tsp Vanilla Bean Powder
½ tsp Ceylon Cinnamon (or just a few good shakes!)
~3/4 cup each hot water and your favorite milk, warmed up (I love Milkadamia, made from Macadamia nuts, obviously – or Oatly Oat Milk)
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender. I use my Vitamix, but any high-speed blender will work! Blend for ~15 seconds or until creamy. Enjoy!