Wake up and cheer up with our Layered Black Cherry Matcha Smoothie that’s stacked with gut-healthy goodness from top to bottom. This gorgeous blend features bright green matcha tea known for its antioxidants and zen-like energizing properties, dark sweet cherries that are loaded with antioxidants and a good source of prebiotic fiber, plus probiotic-rich Lifeway Kefir that’s a powerhouse of protein.
Two types of Lifeway Kefir are used in this recipe, but you can just use one variety if you prefer. No matter which flavor of our kefir you choose, you’re sure to love its deliciously creamy texture, subtle richness that’s easy to digest, and its gut-friendly nature that soothes your stomach and supports optimal microbiome health. Our kefir is virtually lactose-free and contains billions of live cultures per serving. Plus, with 10 grams or more of protein per cup, depending on the variety, it’s an excellent choice to include in smoothies if you’re looking to get enough protein during the day.
So grab your blender, whirl up this wonderful recipe, and sip away your stress with a little help from Lifeway!
Find all our products here, and check out where to buy them near you so you can make this recipe with us!
The Benefits of Cultured Dairy for Better Health:
Research continues to show the importance of eating healthy foods, including cultured dairy such as kefir, for optimal digestion and gut health, a strong immune system, and to support the microbiome. Fermented foods like kefir hold important value in this line of research due to the link between the gut-brain axis and overall health. Specifically, kefir has been shown to help diversify the microbiome, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, support healthier blood sugar levels, and improve satiety since the bioavailable protein it contains triggers the release of GLP-1.
Lifeway Kefir is packed with a variety of vital nutrients important for overall health, including bone and muscle health; these include vitamin D3, K, calcium, and vitamin B12. Along with our probiotic-rich kefir, Lifeway also offers artisan-made Farmer Cheese, a creamy, high-protein cheese made with live and active cultures to support healthy muscles and a healthy microbiome. Lifeway Farmer Cheese is easy to spread, free of gums and thickeners, and contains no added salt or sugar for optimal health benefits.
Prep Time: 5 mins Servings: 1-2
Ingredients
For the Matcha Layer:
- 1/2 cup Organic Whole Milk Plain Kefir
- 1/2 a frozen banana (about 1/3 cup if using slices)
- 1 tsp. organic matcha green tea powder
- optional: 1/2 tsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
For the Black Cherry Layer:
- 1/2 cup Organic Whole Milk Black Cherry Kefir
- 1/3 cup dark sweet frozen cherries
- optional: 1/2 tsp. raw honey or pure maple syrup
Directions
- Blend the ingredients for the matcha layer first, pour into a glass (or two glasses if making two servings). Blend the black cherry layer ingredients next and add on top of the matcha layer in the glass (or glasses if making two servings).
- Top each one with fresh cherries, if desired, then add a straw, swirl the layers togethers, and enjoy!
