Matcha Sesame Smoothie

A creamy vegan matcha smoothie with tahini, banana, and chia - earthy, nutty, and gently energizing

A systems based approach to wellness and beauty

Vegan recipe - 100% plant-based. No meat, poultry, fish or sea life, no eggs, and no dairy or honey.

About This Recipe

Matcha has been at the center of Japanese tea culture for centuries. Unlike steeped green tea, where the leaves are discarded after brewing, matcha uses the whole leaf ground into a fine powder - so everything the leaf contains is consumed directly. That is what gives matcha its vivid jade-green color, its distinctive earthy and grassy character, and its reputation as one of the most celebrated ingredients in Japanese food and drink traditions. Ceremonial matcha, prepared simply with hot water and a bamboo whisk, is a practice with its own carefully observed rituals. Culinary-grade matcha takes that same flavor into everyday cooking - into lattes, baked goods, ice cream, and increasingly into smoothies.

Sesame has an equally long presence in East Asian kitchens - in sauces, dressings, noodles, rice dishes, sweets, and drinks across Japan, Korea, and China. Tahini, the smooth paste made from sesame seeds widely known through Middle Eastern cooking, and its East Asian counterparts - white sesame paste and black sesame paste - all share the same quality: a deep, nutty richness that smooths out sharp or bitter flavors. That quality makes sesame a natural partner for matcha. The earthiness of the tea and the nuttiness of the sesame balance each other, creating a flavor that is more complete than either ingredient alone.

This Hanuvier vegan matcha smoothie brings those two ingredients together in a simple plant-based format - with banana for natural sweetness and creaminess, chia seeds for body and fiber, and plant-based yogurt for an extra layer of creaminess. It is not a ceremonial tea preparation. It is a practical, delicious matcha drink recipe inspired by those traditions and designed for a daily wellness routine. For a soft vanilla note and added plant-based protein, stir in a serving of Hanuvier's Plant Protein & Collagen Booster before blending.

At a Glance

Ingredients

Smoothie Base

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, chilled
• 1/2 frozen banana, sliced before freezing
• 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based yogurt (almond, coconut, or oat-based; avoid soy if soy-free is needed)
• 1 tbsp tahini, white sesame paste, or black sesame paste
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp culinary-grade or ceremonial-grade matcha powder
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp maple syrup or date syrup (optional - only if needed for sweetness)
• 1/4 cup ice cubes

Optional Hanuvier Vanilla Variation

• 1 serving Hanuvier Vegan Protein Powder, Vanilla flavour
• 2-4 tbsp additional almond milk or oat milk (add only if needed to keep the smoothie pourable)

Optional Garnish

• 1/4 tsp sesame seeds
• 1 tiny dusting of matcha powder
• 1 thin banana slice
• A small drizzle of tahini (optional)

Instructions

1. Place 1 tsp matcha powder through a small fine-mesh strainer into a small cup or bowl. Sifting removes any clumps and ensures the matcha dissolves smoothly into the smoothie. Do not skip this step if your matcha is at all lumpy.
2. Add 2 tbsp of the chilled almond milk or oat milk to the sifted matcha. Whisk for 20-30 seconds with a small whisk or fork until the matcha forms a smooth, lump-free green slurry. Making a slurry first gives a much smoother final smoothie than adding dry matcha powder directly to the blender.
3. Pour the remaining almond milk or oat milk into the blender first. Adding liquid before the other ingredients helps the blades move easily and prevents chia seeds or sesame paste from sticking underneath.
4. Add 1/2 cup plant-based yogurt, 1 tbsp tahini or sesame paste, and 1 tbsp chia seeds to the blender.
5. Add 1/2 frozen banana, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and the optional 1 tsp maple syrup or date syrup. If your banana is very ripe and sweet, you may not need any added sweetener - taste the finished smoothie before adding.
6. Add the prepared matcha slurry and 1/4 cup ice cubes to the blender.
7. If using Hanuvier Vegan Protein Powder, add 1 serving now. Keep 2-4 tbsp extra almond milk or oat milk nearby - protein powder can thicken the smoothie and you may need to add a little extra liquid during blending.
8. Blend on low speed for 10 seconds to break up the frozen banana and engage the chia seeds, then increase to high speed and blend for 35-50 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. Stop and scrape down the sides once if needed.
9. Check the consistency. If the smoothie is too thick to pour comfortably, add 1 tbsp almond or oat milk at a time - up to 4 tbsp total - and blend briefly after each addition.
10. Taste before serving. Add 1 tsp maple syrup if you want more sweetness. Add a very small extra pinch of matcha if you want stronger tea flavor - be cautious, matcha becomes bitter quickly. Add 1/4 tsp extra tahini if you want a stronger sesame note.
11. Pour into one large glass or two small glasses. Garnish with a tiny dusting of matcha powder, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a banana slice. Serve immediately while cold and creamy.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values per large smoothie (full recipe as 1 serving), made with almond milk and without Hanuvier Vegan Protein Powder. Values will vary depending on plant milk type, yogurt brand, sesame paste type, banana size, and whether optional sweetener or protein powder is added.

• Calories: approximately 300-380 kcal
• Protein: approximately 10-14 g (higher if Hanuvier Vegan Protein Powder is added)
• Carbohydrates: approximately 35-45 g
• Fat: approximately 12-16 g
• Fiber: approximately 8-10 g
• Key Nutrients Present: Protein, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, healthy fats (from tahini and chia seeds).

Nutrition values are approximate and may vary depending on ingredient brands, preparation method, and serving size.

Wellness Connection

This matcha smoothie is not built around a single hero ingredient. Matcha contributes green-tea character and natural caffeine for gentle alertness without the crash of coffee. Tahini or sesame paste brings healthy fats, creaminess, and minerals including magnesium and calcium. Chia seeds add dietary fiber and help create a satisfying, fuller texture. Plant-based yogurt adds creaminess and further protein. Banana provides natural sweetness and potassium. The optional Hanuvier Vegan Protein Powder adds a soft vanilla note and increases plant protein content meaningfully. Everything in this smoothie earns its place.

At Hanuvier, a systems-based approach to wellness means looking at what a drink contributes as a whole rather than fixating on any single nutrient. This vegan matcha smoothie is practical, flavorful, and easy to repeat - and that repeatability is what makes it genuinely valuable as part of a daily wellness routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is matcha and how is it different from regular green tea?

Matcha is finely ground Japanese green tea powder made from shade-grown tea leaves. Unlike regular green tea where the leaves are steeped and then discarded, matcha uses the whole powdered leaf - so everything the leaf contains is consumed directly. This gives matcha its vivid green color, more concentrated flavor, and higher caffeine content compared to steeped green tea. Culinary-grade matcha is designed for cooking and smoothies; ceremonial-grade matcha is traditionally used for whisked tea preparation.

Can I use black sesame paste instead of tahini?

Yes. Black sesame paste has a deeper, more roasted flavor than tahini or white sesame paste, and it will shift the color of the smoothie from bright jade-green to a more muted grey-green tone. Use the same amount (1 tbsp) and expect a bolder, nuttier flavor. If you enjoy a strong sesame taste and a striking visual presentation, black sesame paste is an excellent choice.

Is this smoothie high in caffeine?

One teaspoon of matcha contains approximately 35-70 mg of caffeine depending on grade and brand - roughly comparable to a small espresso. This is noticeably more than a cup of steeped green tea. For most adults, one teaspoon in a smoothie is a moderate amount. For those sensitive to caffeine, consider reducing the matcha to 1/2 teaspoon or enjoying this smoothie in the morning only.

Can I make this without a blender?

A blender gives the best result because it fully emulsifies the tahini, breaks down the frozen banana, and creates a smooth, creamy texture. An immersion blender (hand blender) works reasonably well as an alternative - thaw the banana partially first and blend directly in a tall cup. Without any blender, the tahini will not incorporate fully and chia seeds will remain whole.

How long does this smoothie keep?

Best consumed immediately. If needed, store in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. Chia seeds and protein powder will continue to absorb liquid and thicken the smoothie as it sits. Before drinking, shake or stir well and add 1-2 tbsp cold almond or oat milk to loosen it back to a drinkable consistency.

What is Hanuvier's systems-based approach to wellness and beauty?

The body functions as an interconnected system, with nutrients participating in multiple biological processes and often working alongside one another. Hanuvier uses this systems perspective to develop thoughtfully formulated products that support wellness, beauty, or both through a holistic approach rather than a single-ingredient focus.

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