Pumpkin Pear Matcha Shake

Having lived in Japan, Matcha had become an everyday staple.

Matcha is finely powdered green tea leaves,usually stone ground  with a pleasant taste and deep flavor. Though its very caffeinated,  Matcha offers immense health benefits due to its rich antioxidant value. It boosts metabolism, anti-hypertensive , prevents heart disease and an anti aging agent.

Matcha has grown  to become a symbol of Japanese traditional and contemporary culinary landscape.

 Summers and Fall seem incomplete without the "Matcha Lattes", Matcha shortbreads, matcha chocolate chip cookies, matcha ice cream to name a few.  

Its October and its that time of the year that I make my own flu shots in the form of immunity boosting juices and smoothies. Beta Carotene is definitely high on must haves and pumpkin fits this category. 

I craved for pumpkin spice Matcha latte but ended up whipping up a milkshake with fresh pumpkin and Matcha.

1/2 cup cooked pumpkin cubes

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup ripe  Barlette Pears cubed  for sweetness

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon powder

1 tsp Matcha

3/4 -1 cup cup dairy/almond milk depending on the desired thickness of the shake

In a bowl, use 4-5 tbsp warm water and whisk matcha in it until frothy and no clumps .

Blend together pumpkin cubes and pears with water until they are pureed. Add the cinnamon and blend again.

Now add the matcha and pulse. Finally, add the milk and blend to make a shake.

Matcha could be dominant and flavorful, you could add sugar to the shake instead of pears.

You could use the Pumpkin spice if you dont have fresh pumpkins.

Recommend using organic Matcha and organic cinnamon for best results.