Sakura Cherry Green Tea Smoothie

Sakura Cherry Green tea is a natural fit for a school-morning smoothie because of what’s underneath the cherry-and-hibiscus flavor: it’s built on sencha green tea, which carries a good dose of L-theanine. That amino acid takes the edge off caffeine’s usual spike-and-crash and instead delivers a steadier, calmer kind of focus — well suited to a middle schooler about to sit through a full day of classes.

Recipe

Brew a strong cup of Sakura Cherry Green tea using 1 tablespoon of loose leaf in 3/4 cup of hot water and steeping for 3-4 minutes, then let it cool completely (popping it in the fridge for 10 minutes speeds this up). Once cooled, pour the tea into a blender along with 1 frozen banana, 1/2 cup frozen or fresh pitted cherries, 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, and a teaspoon of honey if you’d like it sweeter. Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds, adding a splash of milk if it’s too thick to pour. This makes one generous smoothie, perfect in a to-go cup for the walk to the bus stop, and it doubles easily if you’re making one for a sibling too.