Matcha Budino with Pistachio Milk & Vanilla Chai Protein

This matcha budino is the kind of dessert that quietly becomes a ritual. Silky, just-set, and impossibly elegant for something with so few ingredients. Slow whisking, careful tempering, the patience of the fridge. It rewards you.

What most sets this delicious desert apart is the cast of botanicals behind it. Ceremonial Grade Matcha adds more than color, bringing a clean, focused energy and a bittersweet depth that plays beautifully against the rich coconut cream. Vanilla Powder runs through both layers, grounding the flavor and adding warmth. The Vanilla Chai Protein Powder (stirred in off the heat) lends a subtle creaminess, a hint of spice from the chai, and a nutritional boost. 

The two-layer presentation (a vivid green base, a pale white crown) is optional but worth it. The white layer takes all of five extra minutes and turns this from a weeknight treat into something you'd be proud to serve at a dinner table.

Key Ingredients & What They Bring

Ceremonial Grade Matcha is the backbone of this recipe — both in the budino and as the final dusting. Our organic matcha is traditionally revered for its sustained, gentle energy and its rich antioxidant profile.* Used ceremonially for centuries, it brings a vibrant, vegetal bitterness that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of coconut cream and vanilla.

Vanilla Powder appears in both layers of this budino, tying the flavors together. Pure and fragrant, it brings a floral warmth that softens the matcha's edge without competing with it.

Vanilla Chai Protein Powder is stirred in off the heat, where it melts smoothly into the hot liquid and adds a creamy body to the final set. Beyond texture, it quietly rounds out the nutritional profile of what is otherwise a dessert, making it as nourishing as it is indulgent.*

RECIPE

Prep time: 20 minutes
Set time: 4–8 hours

Ingredients

Matcha Budino:

• 250 ml pistachio milk (or any nut milk)
• 250 ml coconut whipping cream
• 2 Tbsp sugar (optional)
• 2 tsp Anima Mundi Matcha
• ¼ tsp Anima Mundi Vanilla Powder
• 1 packet agar powder (formulated for 500 ml)
• 1 heaped Tbsp Anima Mundi Vanilla Chai Protein Powder, added off heat
• 2 egg yolks, whisked in off heat (optional — for extra creaminess and protein)

White Decorative Layer:

• 70 ml nut milk
• ¼ tsp Anima Mundi Vanilla Powder
• Agar powder, scaled for 70 ml (check packet)
• Anima Mundi Matcha, to dust at serving

Method

1. Combine: Pistachio milk, coconut whipping cream, sugar (if using), matcha, and vanilla powder in a saucepan. Whisk in the agar powder while the liquid is still cold.
2. Boil: Over medium heat, whisking constantly, for a few minutes until the agar is completely dissolved. 
3. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla chai protein powder until smooth. If using egg yolks, temper them first by whisking a little of the hot liquid into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pan.
4. Pour: Into your mould(s), allowing the dish to cool slightly, then refrigerate for 4–8 hours until fully set.
5. For the white layer: Once the green budino is completely set, prepare the white mixture, whisking the 70 ml nut milk with vanilla powder and agar, then bringing to a full boil whisking constantly, and boiling until dissolved. Pour a thin layer directly on top of the set green budino. Return to the fridge until the white layer is set.
6. Unmould: Briefly dip the base of the mould in warm water and invert onto a serving plate. Dust generously with matcha through a fine sieve just before serving. The bitterness of the matcha contrasts beautifully with the creamy sweetness of the budino.

Notes: Agar sets quickly once cooled; work confidently once off the heat. The budino keeps refrigerated for up to 3 days. Dust with matcha only at serving.

Shop The Ingredients

Matcha, Ceremonial Grade: organic + ceremonial grade, rich in antioxidants and gentle focus*

Vanilla Powder: pure, fragrant, and beautifully versatile in sweet and savory recipes

Vanilla Chai Protein Powder: plant-based protein with adaptogenic support, smooth and dessert-ready*

Explore more dishes featuring herbal allies in the Recipes section of our Blog!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.