This week on More Good Day Oregon, I made a special, superfood-studded latte as part of my healthy living segment: the Unicorn Latte.
The inspiration behind the unicorn latte
I recently became starry-eyed for the magical Unicorn Latte when Chalkboard Magazine named it NYC’s sip of the month. It also got some love from the New York Times.
This colorful elixir hails from The End coffeeshop in Brooklyn, NY, Portland’s unofficial sister city of sorts. Apparently, the #unicornlatte has become Instagram's “it” bevvie in recent months.
Stardust with your superfood?
Here’s one thing you should know about this latte — it may look a little silly with all of its stardust and sprinkles, but it packs a serious nutritional punch.
The secret behind the blue hue is Blue Majik powder. According to E3Live, the company that produces the powder in Klamath Falls, OR, Blue Majik contains both phycocyanin (PC) and non-PC compounds. This unique combination makes it different from the standard green spirulina powder. Spirulina in general is touted for its numerous beneficial properties, which include:
- Boosts detoxification power
- Helps regulate blood pressure
- Reduces cancer risk
- Helps support post-workout recovery
- Enhances energy
According to E3 Live, “PC is clinically shown to relieve physical discomfort, which means consumers feel better, can do more activity, and enjoy an overall better quality of life.”
My version of The End’s Unicorn Latte includes Blue Majik powder, plus I’ve added some other nutritional rockstars such as coconut milk and freshly grated ginger.
I’ve also added some honey because — well, this is algae we’re talking about. Sure, blue and blue-green algae are considered to be superfoods, but they can definitely have a strong flavor. The honey, plus a splash of fresh lemon, can help take the edge off that algae essence.
For added nutrition, I also like to add a packet of medicinal mushroom powder, such as the cordyceps elixir from Four Sigmatic. Cordyceps is known as a natural energizer, and it has been shown to help improve oxygen uptake, and assist with workout recovery. It also helps support the adrenal system — especially helpful if you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or burned out.
For garnish, think color: try using edible flowers such as lavender buds, rose petals, or calendula petals. You can also use beet powder, or process freeze-dried strawberries in a spice grinder to make a red powder.
Check out the recipe for the Unicorn Latte
Ready to get started? Great! Just click on the green box below for the recipe.