smoothiesBlend 5 min · Serves 25 min totalapprox. 275 kcal per glass · serves 2

Matcha Citrus Protein Smoothie

September 25, 2026

Some mornings you want something that tastes like it is doing something. Not just sweet, not just cold — something with a bit of edge to it. Lemon and lime give you that. The citrus cuts through the banana and the spinach and the matcha in a way that wakes you up before the creatine even has a chance to.

I made this one for myself. The blender went in with the spinach first, then the lemon and lime — peeled, deseeded, no pith — then the banana, the orange juice, the oil, the salt, the honey, the protein, the creatine, and the matcha. One long blend. Two glasses. The vanilla oat milk foam on top is the part that makes it feel finished rather than functional.

It is green. Properly green. The kind of green that makes you feel like you have already done something right before the day has started. That is not nothing.

The recipe, step by step

Spinach, lemon, lime, banana, matcha, protein and creatine loaded into the blender
Everything in before the blend — spinach first, then citrus, banana, and the powders
Cold vanilla oat milk foam being prepared in a dark bowl with a gold spoon
The vanilla foam — oat milk cold-frothed with vanilla powder stirred in first

What you'll need

  • 1 lemon, peeled and deseeded
  • 1 lime, peeled and deseeded
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 cup (240 ml) orange juice
  • 1½ cups (45 g) fresh baby spinach
  • ½ tablespoon rapeseed oil
  • A pinch of Himalayan pink salt
  • 2 teaspoons raw honey
  • 1 scoop whey protein powder
  • 1 scoop creatine
  • 1½ teaspoons ceremonial grade matcha
  • For the foam: ½ cup (120 ml) oat milk, cold-frothed
  • For the foam: 1 teaspoon vanilla powder, stirred in before frothing
  • To finish: a small handful of edible flowers

How to make it

  1. 1

    Peel and deseed the lemon and lime. Remove as much of the white pith as you can — it adds bitterness you do not want here.

  2. 2

    Add the spinach to the blender first, then the lemon, lime, banana, orange juice, rapeseed oil, salt, honey, whey protein, creatine, and matcha.

  3. 3

    Blend on high until completely smooth — at least 60 seconds. The spinach needs a full blend to break down properly. If the texture is too thick, add a splash more orange juice and blend again.

  4. 4

    For the foam: stir the vanilla powder into the cold oat milk until dissolved, then cold-froth using the Nespresso Aeroccino on the cold setting. You want a light, airy foam — not warm.

  5. 5

    Pour the smoothie into glasses, filling them about three-quarters of the way.

  6. 6

    Spoon the cold vanilla oat milk foam gently over the top, scatter a small handful of edible flowers across the foam, and serve immediately.

Why it works

  • Matcha: Matcha contains L-theanine — an amino acid that promotes calm, focused alertness by increasing alpha brain wave activity. Unlike coffee, which delivers a sharp caffeine spike, matcha provides a slower, more sustained release of caffeine combined with the calming effect of L-theanine. The result is alert without anxious, focused without wired. Matcha is also rich in EGCG — a catechin antioxidant that supports metabolic function, reduces inflammation, and has been studied for its role in fat oxidation. Ceremonial grade matcha has the highest concentration of these compounds.
  • Spinach: Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense leafy greens available. It is rich in iron, magnesium, folate, and vitamins C and K. Magnesium is required for over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, muscle function, and the regulation of the stress response. Folate supports the production of serotonin and dopamine. The vitamin C in spinach also enhances the absorption of non-haem iron, making the iron in this smoothie more bioavailable than it would be from spinach alone.
  • Lemon and lime: Lemon and lime are both rich in vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant that supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and the absorption of iron from plant sources. Vitamin C also plays a direct role in the synthesis of carnitine, a compound required for the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria for energy production. The citric acid in both fruits supports digestive function and has been shown to enhance mineral absorption. The flavonoids in citrus — particularly hesperidin and naringenin — have anti-inflammatory properties and support cardiovascular health.
  • Banana: Banana provides natural creaminess, body, and sweetness without any dairy or added sugar. It is rich in potassium, which supports healthy nerve function and helps regulate the stress response. The tryptophan in banana is a precursor to serotonin, and the vitamin B6 required for that conversion is also present in the fruit — making the two nutrients work together directly. The natural sugars in banana provide a fast, accessible energy source that the brain can use immediately.
  • Whey protein: Whey protein is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids. It is the fastest-absorbing protein available, reaching the muscles within 30–60 minutes of consumption. It directly stimulates muscle protein synthesis via leucine, supports neurotransmitter production, and contributes to satiety — meaning the energy from this smoothie lasts longer than the citrus and banana alone would provide.
  • Creatine: Creatine is best known as a performance supplement, but its cognitive effects are well-documented. The brain uses creatine phosphate as an energy reserve — supplementing creatine increases the brain's available energy supply, which has been shown to improve working memory, reduce mental fatigue, and support mood. A 2022 meta-analysis found that creatine supplementation significantly improved cognitive performance in tasks requiring short-term memory and reasoning. It is not just a muscle supplement.
  • Raw honey: Raw honey provides natural sugars — primarily fructose and glucose — that the brain can use as an immediate energy source. Unlike refined sugar, raw honey also contains trace minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants that support overall metabolic function. The glucose in honey supports the release of serotonin in the brain. Two teaspoons is a measured dose — enough to sweeten and support without spiking blood sugar sharply.
  • Oat milk and vanilla foam: Oat milk provides beta-glucan — a soluble fibre that slows the absorption of the natural sugars in this smoothie, moderating the energy curve and preventing a sharp blood sugar spike. It is a source of B vitamins that support energy metabolism. The vanilla powder adds warm, aromatic depth to the foam and contains small amounts of vanillin — a compound with mild antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The cold foam is not just aesthetic; it changes the texture of every sip.

Shop this recipe

Naturally Seedless Lemons

Naturally Seedless Lemons

A bright, practical bag of seedless lemons to keep on hand for smoothies, dressings, and everyday kitchen cooking.

Lime

Lime

A fresh, bright lime for smoothies, dressings, and everyday cooking.

Organic Banana, 1 Each

Organic Banana, 1 Each

A ripe organic banana — the smoothie ingredient that adds natural creaminess, sweetness, and body without any dairy. Keep a few in the freezer for instant thick smoothies.

Organic 100% Orange Juice

Organic 100% Orange Juice

Cold-pressed organic orange juice with a bright, fresh citrus flavor for smoothies and everyday sipping.

Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach

Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach

Organic baby spinach with a tender, mild flavor for smoothies, salads, and easy everyday meals.

Clearspring Organic Rapeseed Oil 1 L

Clearspring Organic Rapeseed Oil 1 L

Cold pressed and unrefined — this is the oil I reach for when I want something lighter than olive oil but just as clean. Rich in Omega 3, beautiful golden colour, and a Great Taste Award winner. Wonderful for dressings, light sautéing, and baking.

REF Stockholm Sweden Mousse No. 435

REF Stockholm Sweden Mousse No. 435

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New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey UMF 20+ | MGO 829+

New Zealand Honey Co. Raw Manuka Honey UMF 20+ | MGO 829+

The Manuka honey I stir into my evening Teami tea. UMF 20+ rated — that potency is what makes the difference. One spoonful before bed and my mornings are gentler for it.

Natural Force Organic Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean, 5 lb

Natural Force Organic Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder, Vanilla Bean, 5 lb

USDA Organic · Grass-fed · Cold filtered · Hormone free · Non-GMO · Gluten free · Keto approved

Jacked Factory Creatine + Glutamine — Strength & Recovery Supplement

Jacked Factory Creatine + Glutamine — Strength & Recovery Supplement

5g creatine monohydrate and 5g L-glutamine per serving, unflavoured, 30 servings. Mixes cleanly into any liquid — or straight into an egg mix for a post-workout omelette.

KANDO TEA Matcha Ceremonial Grade Green Tea Powder, 40g

KANDO TEA Matcha Ceremonial Grade Green Tea Powder, 40g

The matcha I use in the Power of the Earth smoothie. Ceremonial grade from Kagoshima, Japan — stone-ground, vivid green, and smooth enough to drink straight. No bitterness, no chalkiness. Just clean, focused energy.

Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk, 32 fl oz

Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk, 32 fl oz

The oat milk I use for the blue spirulina foam in the Power of the Earth smoothie. The Barista Edition froths beautifully on cold — no dairy, no nuts, no gluten. Creamy, neutral, and it holds its foam.

Cook's Organic Vanilla Powder for Baking & Coffee

Cook's Organic Vanilla Powder for Baking & Coffee

An organic vanilla powder for adding warm, simple vanilla flavor to baking and coffee.

Sustainable Seed Co Organic White Alyssum Seeds

Sustainable Seed Co Organic White Alyssum Seeds

The white alyssum I grow every season — a low-growing, honey-scented ground cover that blooms from spring through autumn. Organic, open-pollinated, and endlessly rewarding.

SMEG Retro Style Blender

SMEG Retro Style Blender

The most beautiful blender on any countertop. Powerful, smooth, and built to last — SMEG's retro design means it earns its place out in the open rather than hidden in a cupboard.

PurePod Produce Cleaner & Vegetable Cleaner with Oh-Ion Technology

PurePod Produce Cleaner & Vegetable Cleaner with Oh-Ion Technology

A compact fruit and vegetable washing machine that uses Oh-Ion technology to clean produce without chemicals. Drop it in a bowl of water with your fruits or vegetables, press the button, and it neutralises pesticides, wax coatings, and surface bacteria in minutes. Rechargeable and easy to store.

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