Vegan raw kiwi and matcha smoothie bowl

Vegan raw kiwi and matcha smoothie bowl with banana, kiwi, baby spinach, courgette and matcha: creamy, fresh and green, with a delicate sweetness and a gentle bitter edge.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 10 min
• Calories: 290 kcal per serving
• Protein: 6 g
• Fat: 5 g
• Carbs: 48 g

Ingredients

• 1 handful of baby spinach
• 1/2 courgette
• 1 frozen banana
• 1 ripe kiwi
• 1 splash of coconut water
• 1 tsp matcha powder

Method

You’ll need: blender · chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Wash the baby spinach, courgette and kiwi thoroughly. Roughly chop the courgette and peel the kiwi.
2. Put the frozen banana in the blender with the kiwi, courgette and baby spinach. Add the matcha powder and coconut water.
3. Blend everything until the smoothie bowl is creamy and even. If needed, adjust the texture with a little more coconut water.
4. Taste briefly: the kiwi brings freshness, the matcha a delicate bitter note. Blend briefly once more if needed.
5. Spoon into a bowl and serve straight away.

Good to know

This bowl is green, creamy and pleasantly fresh. It tastes light, but it really stands out in looks and flavour.

Swaps

Baby spinach → kale (more vitamin C and K, a stronger flavour) 1/2 courgette → avocado (more monounsaturated fats, creamier texture) Frozen banana → frozen cauliflower (less sugar, mild flavour, contains fibre) Splash of coconut water → unsweetened coconut milk (richer and creamier)

Allergens

The bowl is naturally free from milk, egg and nuts, but kiwi can cause irritation or cross-reactions in sensitive people. Because of the caffeine in matcha, only give small children very small amounts, and keep it moderate during pregnancy.

Frequently asked questions

What's in matcha, nutritionally?

Matcha naturally contains caffeine and catechins, including EGCG. Because the whole tea leaf is ground, you consume more of these compounds than with brewed green tea.

Why does kiwi work well in this bowl?

Kiwi brings plenty of vitamin C and adds a fresh acidity to the green base. It also contains fibre and the enzyme actinidin.

Is raw baby spinach a problem?

Usually not, especially in moderate amounts and finely blended. Baby spinach does contain oxalates, though, which can matter for people who are sensitive to them or prone to certain types of kidney stones.

What does courgette do in a smoothie bowl?

Courgette makes the texture creamier without dominating the flavour. It provides water, a little fibre and small amounts of potassium and manganese.

Do banana and matcha go well together?

For many people, yes – the banana balances matcha's slightly bitter note and makes the bowl milder. If you're sensitive to caffeine, go easy on the matcha.

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