Matcha Mania!

It is hard to walk past a New Zealand cafe right now without seeing bright green drinks
all over the tables. Matcha mania has officially arrived, and it is easy to see why. It
tastes great, looks brilliant on your feed, and promises a cleaner, calmer buzz than your
standard flat white.

But if you are drinking it on an empty stomach, that trendy green drink might be setting
you up for a midday slump.

Here is how you can fully enjoy the matcha trend while keeping your energy rock solid,
especially when you pair it with a high protein strawberry snack.

Why Everyone is Obsessed

Matcha is just finely ground green tea leaves, which means you are consuming the
entire leaf rather than just brewing it.

The real magic of matcha comes down to a clever little amino acid called L-theanine.
When L-theanine teams up with the natural caffeine in the tea, it slows down how
quickly your body absorbs that caffeine. Instead of the sharp spike and jittery nerves
you sometimes get from a quick espresso, matcha delivers a smooth, sustained focus.

It is a steady, calm energy, which is exactly what we want.

Caffeine on an Empty Stomach

Even though matcha is gentler than coffee, caffeine is still a stimulant.

If you smash a large iced matcha first thing in the morning or during that 3 PM slump
without any food in your system, it can still trigger a spike in stress hormones like
cortisol. Your blood sugar can take a hit, and before you know it, you are dealing with a
sudden energy drop and a flat mood.

To get the absolute best out of your matcha, it needs a wingman. It needs proper fuel to
sit alongside it.

Enter the power couple:

Strawberry Shnack + Matcha

If you want to ride the matcha wave without the crash, try pairing it with a strawberry
shnack that packs a protein punch.

Strawberries and matcha are a classic flavour combination, the berry sweetness cuts
through the earthy, rich notes of the green tea beautifully. But more importantly, adding
protein to the mix gives your body the slow burning fuel it actually needs.

Here is the golden recipe:

Iced Strawberry Shnack Matcha

Ingredients:
● 1 x Strawberry Shnack
● 4g Ceremonial grade matcha powder
● 3 tbsp warm water
● 1 cup ice
● Optional: plant based milk (add a dash for a creamier drink)

Strawberry Swirl (Optional):
● 3 Fresh or frozen strawberries, mashed
● 1 tsp maple syrup
● 1 tsp water

Method

1. Make the strawberry swirl: Mash the strawberries with the maple syrup and
   water until smooth. Spoon the mixture around the inside of your glass.
2. Prepare the matcha: Sift the matcha into a bowl and whisk with the warm water
   until smooth and frothy.
3. Assemble the drink: Fill your glass with ice. If using milk, pour it in first.
4. Add the Shnack: Pour the Strawberry Shnack over the ice.
5. Top with matcha: Slowly pour the whisked matcha over the drink to create a
   layered effect.
6. Enjoy: Stir before drinking if desired.

   Optional: Add extra sweetener to taste, although the Strawberry Shnack is already
   naturally sweet. 🍓🍵✨