My Whole30-friendly iced matcha latte made with coconut water, collagen, matcha, and non-dairy creamer is my fave new iced morning drink! Move over coffee, here comes something greener!
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Breaking up with coffee
Have you ever been stuck in an unproductive and unfulfilling relationship, but you kept at it because you were too lazy to kill it?
That’s how I felt about my hot-and-cold love affair with coffee. I adore its taste—to me, there’s nothing quite like a creamy glass of cold brew on the rocks—but I can no longer ignore the fact that I get really jittery whenever I drink coffee. It’s been like this for years, but I just ignored it. (This is not unlike how I used to dismiss all my pre-Paleo joint pain and GI distress as “normal.”) The final nail in the coffin was hammered in when I checked my 23andme DNA results recently, and saw that I have a genetic variation in the enzyme that metabolizes caffeine—one which results in the stimulant sticking around longer in my system than in most other people’s.
A-ha! That’s the reason for my jitteriness! Armed with this knowledge, I dumped the coffee…and picked up a new matcha habit.
My replacement? Iced Matcha Latte!
What does a matcha latte taste like?
This jade-green Whole30-friendly beverage is creamy, coconut-y, and a little grassy (but in a good way!), and ever since I switched over, I can’t imagine starting my morning differently. (Okay—sometimes, I eat a couple of my Matcha Coconut Gummies instead, but I don’t always have those cuties chilling in the fridge.)
Matcha doesn’t make me jittery
But wait: doesn’t matcha contain caffeine, too? Yeah, but there’s less caffeine in matcha than in coffee. Plus, matcha contains a compound called L-theanine that’s supposed to exert a calming effect, coupled with increased alertness. Personally, when I drink matcha, I never feel anxious or restless. Instead, I’m able to focus on whatever task I have on hand without freaking out about all the stuff on my to-do list. Win-win!
Collagen for extra protein!
I also add a heaping scoop of easily dissolvable unflavored collagen peptides to my morning matcha latte, which gives my green drink a nice creamy texture and can help with gut, skin, and joint health. This aging mommy is happy to get any help she can get in those last three categories!
Questions about matcha or collagen peptides?
- Start by reading these great articles about gelatin/collagen, and matcha.
- If you’ve never tasted matcha (which is a special type of finely milled green tea powder), try before you buy. Go order a matcha drink at your local hipster coffee/tea hangout, and take a sip or three before deciding whether to drop a small fortune on a fancy tin of matcha
- powder. (Good quality matcha ain’t cheap, people!)
- Matcha mixed with hot water can have a grassy, vegetal flavor loaded with umami; while the taste is not for everyone, I—and most people I know—happen to adore it. When it’s blended into a latte drink, the grassy matcha flavor is muted, and you end up with a tasty, creamy green beverage. My favorite brand is this ultra high-end matcha.
- Make sure you procure a high-quality collagen peptides derived from grass fed animals. And no, it doesn’t make your drink taste beefy. Also, make sure you buy collagen peptides for this recipe—not gelatin—because you want it to dissolve in cold liquid.
- I’ve recently been switching out the non-dairy creamer for plain coconut yogurt. I love the tang, richness, and added benefit of probiotics.
- Psst! You can make this a hot matcha latte by heating up the coconut water first!
Ingredients
- Unsweetened coconut water, chilled: I like Harmless Coconut Water and Taste Nirvana brands, but feel free to use your favorite coconut water! I like using coconut water instead of hot water because of the natural sweetness so there is no need to add additional sweetener, like honey or simple syrup.
- Collagen peptides
- Nutpods or full-fat coconut milk or your fave unsweetened non-dairy creamer or plain coconut yogurt
- Matcha
How to make iced matcha latte
Grab your immersion blender and blending cup. Measure out the coconut water (I used Harmless Coconut water and it’s naturally pink), collagen peptides…
…non-dairy creamer…
…and matcha…
…and place it all in the cup of your immersion blender.
Blend until smooth and serve over ice!
Savor and start your day with a bang! (You can pour it over ice, too!)
More matcha recipes
Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2022).
Iced Matcha Latte
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut water chilled (I like Harmless Coconut Water brand, but feel free to use your favorite coconut water!)
- 1 tablespoon collagen peptides
- 2 tablespoons Nutpods full-fat coconut milk, non-dairy creamer, or plain coconut yogurt,
- 1 teaspoon ceremonial grade matcha
Instructions
- Grab your immersion blender and blending cup. Measure out the coconut water, collagen peptides, non-dairy creamer, and matcha and place it all in the cup of your immersion blender.
- Blend until smooth and serve over ice!
- Savor and start your day with a bang!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
HI Michelle! I’ve been wanting to try this for a while now and WOW am I glad I did!!! Kept thinking I’d order one of the Matcha tea brands you suggested but never got around to it so I just picked up Trader Joe’s brand. I used Great Lakes collagen as that is what I had on hand and full fat coconut milk. This is delicious and felt like such a treat…I follow the AIP and treats are few and far between. Thank you so much for this recipe and your site. I use many of your recipes because I can trust that they will turn out as described since I know you thoroughly test each and every one! I have both of your cookbooks and have met you and Henry twice at the Whole Foods in Paramus NJ. I love the way your recipes are laid out with pictures that guide you through every step. Love you guys…so sweet and approachable! Wishing you continued success. BTW…I made your Crown Roast of Pork with Magic Mushroom Powder for our Christmas dinner this year. It was a winner…very impressive looking but in the end simple and delicious thanks to your recipe and instructions!!! Also your Watercress & Chicken Soup is one of my absolute favs that I’ve made countless times using your pressure cooker bone broth recipe. It is delicious and comforting and I eat it even for breakfast.
Yay! Thanks for being such a loyal Nomster!
Hey there…can you clarify…do you personal buy/prefer Kenko ceremonial or culinary grade? I know you said culinary grade is fine but just wondering.
I normally buy culinary grade!
Thanks Michelle!
This was quite tasty! I added a handful of fresh spinach, a 1/4t of ginger a cardamom pod and a clove for more flavor. May try some cinnamon next time too. It was a delicious accompaniment with my hard boiled eggs and crudités slathered in Romanesco sauce. Quick easy breakfast with some extra hidden veggies. Thanks for the idea.
Just want to say…the green breakfast drink is a good idea….but READ labels people before you buy something! I was so excited about this drink, I just went on to Amazon and bought the recommended ingredients! Those NUT PODS are the worst! I should have read what was in it before I bought it’s! Acacia. Gum, Dipotassium Phosphate…no thank you. Stick with pure coconut milk or cream. Best brand is Aroy-D. 100% pure Coconut milk! A lesson Learned!
Yes, everyone needs to read labels for everything they buy! I’m fine with the Whole30-Approved ingredients in Nutpods, but if you aren’t, I have given other creamer options that you can use.
My very first matcha attempt and it was delicious!! Creamy with collagen in it! I’m just dipping my toes in so used 1/2tsp cold brew matcha from Breakaway! It was almost too sweet for me. Would you recommend half coconut water, half water to help with that? Enjoyed very much with 2T full fat coconut milk! Yum!! Thanks Michelle!
Yes! Coconut water can cary in sweetness depending on the brand so you can sub water for part of it! You can also make a sugar-free Cold Brew Matcha: https://nomnompaleo.com/cold-brew-matcha
Great recipe. So light and refreshing. I love being able to have this early afternoon and still be able to sleep at night.
Made a riff on this using hojicha powder instead of matcha and it turned out really well!