For many people, the ritual of a hot cup of coffee is the only thing that gets them out of bed in the morning. While coffee may have some benefits, it also can have detrimental side effects like acidity, dehydration, and the potential to cause anxiety. We recognize the power of a warm, comforting mug in the morning, so we’ve created this immunity-boosting matcha latte to get you going without the negative side effects.
If you haven’t heard of matcha yet, you’re about to become addicted! Matcha is a concentrated form of green tea. Rather than simply soaking the leaf, the entire tea leaf is stone-ground into powder and consumed whole, so you get a more potent version of green tea. The list of benefits from drinking matcha tea is long.
Matcha will give you the energy boost many seek from coffee, but because of the large concentration of antioxidants, the absorption of caffeine is slower, so there’s no crash. It’s also a wonderful healthy beverage to drink while participating in the 21-Day Clean Program, so stir it up and go!
Coffee first thing in the morning can also contribute to adrenal fatigue. Our cortisol levels are naturally high in the morning, and a big artificial energy boost from coffee is unnecessary and hard on the hormones that regulate our energy. If you drink coffee, it’s best to do so with food and at least two hours after waking up.
Our bodies have two types of fat: brown and white. White fat stores energy and excessive white fat is linked to heart disease and other chronic illnesses. Brown fat burns energy, and individuals with higher metabolisms and lower BMI typically have more brown fat than those who are overweight or obese. One incredible ability of matcha tea is that it activates brown fat cells. If you are looking for another matcha recipe, try our No-Bake Energy Balls!
While matcha on its own is a great immunity booster, we’ve added spices to double up on cold-fighting power. Both cinnamon and cardamom have antiviral and antifungal properties that assist the body in fighting infections. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, cardamom primarily stimulates our digestive cells responsible for immune response.
Ginger helps remove toxins from our system and is antimicrobial, meaning it can kill microorganisms (it’s even been shown to fight salmonella effectively). If a head cold has already made its way into your system, ginger clears congestion so you can breathe freely again.
2 cups filtered water
1 small piece of ginger, peeled (about the size of your thumb)
1/2 teaspoon whole cardamom
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 cup coconut cream
1 teaspoon matcha powder
1 teaspoon coconut palm sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pour water into small saucepan. Add cinnamon, cardamom, peeled ginger, and a pinch of sea salt to water.
Bring water to a boil over high heat. Immediately turn heat to low and cover. Simmer liquid for at least 15 minutes. Place a fine mesh strainer over a small bowl. Strain liquid and discard ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. Pour liquid back into the saucepan.
Add matcha to water and using a matcha whisk, stir until fully combined and lump-free.
Add coconut cream, vanilla, and coconut palm sugar to matcha.
Note: If you do not have a matcha whisk, or if you prefer a frothy drink, after step three add all remaining ingredients the saucepan, heat through and then use a blender on low to combine.
Recipe and photography by Kaitlyn Noble.
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