Strawberry Matcha Coconut Chia Drink
I love matcha lattes, but there’s a reaction that happens between milk proteins and the antioxidants in tea that may impact its bioaccessibility (how much your body can access those compounds). Honestly, the science is more nuanced than most people make it sound, and I think it’s worth talking about.Some studies have found that milk may reduce certain heart-health benefits that come from tea.
One study published in the European Heart Journal found that adding milk to black tea reduced its ability to improve vascular function (Lorenz et al., 2007). But other research has shown no significant effect on antioxidant absorption, as shown in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Kyle et al., 2007).
So what’s happening? Milk proteins called caseins DO bind to tea polyphenols. But the impact is mixed. Some studies confirm that milk proteins reduce the bioaccessibility of green tea flavan-3-ols, while others state that whether they translate into meaningful health differences in real life is still unclear.
I’m not saying you should ditch your matcha latte. I drink one basically every day for my happiness and health! But if you want to try a dairy-free alternative that keeps those antioxidants more accessible, this Strawberry Matcha Coconut Chia Drink is it! It’s made with coconut water instead of dairy, which is naturally hydrating and packed with electrolytes. Add matcha and strawberries for antioxidants, and chia seeds for fiber and omega-3s, and you’ve got a drink that’s light, refreshing, and a great alternative to lattes.
Watch the video for my strawberry puree recipe!
🔎PMIDs: 17213230, 11264903, 40655290, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2014.09.018
Strawberry Matcha Coconut Chia Drink
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 2 cups coconut water
- Strawberry puree, Recipe: https://youtu.be/O9pKmgV89is?si=1k9_3id-phDCqmjx
- 3-4 g ceremonial grade matcha, cold whisked in 100 mL water
Instructions Start Cooking
- Soak chia seeds in coconut water for 30 mins in the fridge.2 Tbsp chia seeds, 2 cups coconut water
- Cold whisk the matcha in 100 mL water. Make sure to froth more (compared to when you use hot water) to get bubbles to form.3-4 g ceremonial grade matcha
- In a cup, layer the strawberry puree on the bottom, followed by ice, then 220 mL chia coconut water and 50 mL matcha on top.Strawberry puree
Hi, I’m Tam!
I’m a Vietnamese American and the creator behind this recipe blog. I was previously a scientist but now do recipe development and content creation. I turned my love for research and food into intentional, science-backed cooking…
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