I don’t know how I survived the first two-thirds of my life without caffeine. I’ve started to drink a cup of black coffee every morning at my desk. This morning I ate matcha chia pudding before I drank my coffee and it gave me even more of a boost. I could feel the difference as I drove to work. I had more energy during my impromptu car karaoke session.

I didn’t discover matcha until about a year ago when it started popping up on food blogs and on Instagram. I love green tea so I figured that I’d like matcha powder. I wasn’t wrong.

The thing to keep in mind about matcha is that it’s not sweet. It’s actually kind of bitter. To make this pudding, I added two tablespoons of maple syrup and I could have added more. If you have a sweet tooth, err on the side of too much sweetener.

I topped the jar with some sweet and salty blueberry hemp granola and fresh blackberries. You could also use blueberries or strawberries on top. I like the tart berries with the crunchy granola and earthy matcha flavor. There’s a lot going on in this jar but it makes sense when you taste it.

In semi-related news, I watched the Big Little Lies finale last night and I’m still reeling. Without giving too much away, the final scene on the beach took my breath away. It was so powerful and it really encapsulated the show’s underlying message, which is the strength of women and female friendships.

I saw a hater call the show “expensive trash” on Twitter this morning and obviously, I disagree. Sure, the characters live in a privileged neighborhood in California and some of their “problems” make me roll my eyes. But a lot of their issues are universal. Plus, the acting in the show is phenomenal and the cast chemistry is undeniable.

Here’s a song from the show’s finale. The soundtrack plays a key role in Big Little Lies and is basically a character on the show.

Matcha Chia Pudding with Blackberries (from me, to you)

Ingredients

1/4 cup chia seeds
2 Tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp matcha green tea powder
1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
blackberries and blueberry hemp granola for topping

Directions

Combine the chia seeds, maple syrup, matcha powder, and almond milk in a blender and pulse a couple times. Pour into a jar and seal and place it in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, top with pudding with blueberry hemp granola and blackberries. Enjoy!