Specialty Matcha Podcast

In this editorial conversation, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interrogate the term "Uji matcha" and its tangled provenance: what it once meant, and how it has quietly changed over the years. Was Uji ever really a single origin? What did the Edo-period ochashi monopoly actually control, and what broke when the shogunate fell? How does one trademark end up stretched across four prefectures? And h...

https://open.substack.com/pub/sankomatcha/p/uji-no-matcha-the-inconvenient-truth?r=3mxquk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web It started with the disturbing realization that almost all Uji Matcha sold is not grown or processed in Uji at all. We kept hearing different definitions from different people: is it a city? Region? Blending style? Four-prefecture trademark? When we crunched the math f...

Cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their experience in Nishio, Aichi including learning about pest control techniques, unique tana-shelf shading structures of Aichi, differences between a Mikawa and Horii Style tencha oven, high efficiency "simple" or "net-type" tencha driers, and their experience milling tencha on Sanko Usu One.

Cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their learning journey hand picking tea for 3 days in Toyota, Aichi. They discuss tencha processing (including a unique withering step this producer uses which produces an almost baozhong-like fragrance), ishi usu stone milling, and fertilizing practices.

Ryan and Zongjun discuss the legal, cultural, and economic implications of geographic indications in the tea industry. https://open.substack.com/pub/sankomatcha/p/japan-filed-for-japanese-tea-gi-status?r=3mxquk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

We are very proud to upload our 100th podcast and the end of season 4. https://sankomatcha.com/ https://sankomatcha.substack.com/p/load-bearing-myths

Accompanying Substack Article: Load-Bearing Myths https://open.substack.com/pub/sankomatcha/p/load-bearing-myths?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web Hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore the mythologizing in matcha and tea, breaking down how demand, marketing, and cultural narratives shape perceptions of quality and origin. This episode uncovers the myths behind famous regions like...

Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore the evolving landscape of matcha, drawing parallels with the coffee industry, discussing innovation opportunities, and envisioning a future ecosystem that empowers farmers, enhances product quality, and expands market access.

Hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss updates on their countertop matcha mill Sanko Usu One, the development of new community tools and projects, and their upcoming research article about unpacking the inconvenient truth about Uji Matcha.

In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) speak with Billy from BHD Consulting who shares his two-decade journey in the tea industry, focusing on matcha, branding, sourcing, and industry trends. Discover insights on building a tea brand, navigating traditional and modern markets, and the future of matcha and specialty tea. IG: @sirwillotleaf https://www.bdhconsultants.com/about https://steep...

Contact : https://www.instagram.com/julesreyes_/ More Info : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWUiO-YgcpW/?igsh=MXI3a2tmY3M2Z3drZg== From Jules' Post: We have reason to believe that Ben made it to Bangkok, Thailand. Up until now, we've been focusing our efforts on his last known location in Galicia, Spain and his direction of travel (Madrid). THANK YOU to everyone who helped us trace his mov...

Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) in conversation in Kyoto alongside khun Pop and Yusuke-san of Koto Tea Space in Bangkok after visiting Tsuji-san, one of Japan's most decorated matcha producers. The conversation goes deep on fertilization science, soil mineral dynamics, and why Tsuji-san sends individual tea leaves to a lab at enormous cost. His words sum it up well: you cannot make great matcha without...

In this episode, Khun Gan from TeaismExplorer shares his journey with tea, from working in Uji to becoming the first Thai-national Nihoncha Instructor. We explore the nuances of matcha production, regional labeling, and the evolving tea industry in Japan and Thailand. IG: @teaism.explorer

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) share their experiences and learnings from their recent trip to Kyoto, where they met renowned matcha farmer Tsuji-san, toured Marukyu Koyamaen, and visited Baisa Nakamura. They deep dive into insights from Tsuji-san on matcha fertilization, innovations happening in the world of matcha, and cross-cultural exchanges happening i...

In this episode, Ryan Ahn and Zongjun (Sam) Li delve into the complexities surrounding how the word "matcha" is being used by both marketers and consumers all over the world. The conversation highlights the fluidity of matcha's identity historically, is use and perhaps misuse today, and the importance of education in understanding both historical and contemporary tea cultures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirlTPzWoqo In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) sit down with the founder of ChaEn Tea Experience in Bangkok, khun Big. They discuss the unique cultivation of Jinxuan cultivar matcha in northern Thailand and the art of blending Thai and Japanese cultivars. The conversation covers the evolution of consumer preferences in Thailand, the impact of COVID on tea educa...

https://sankomatcha.com/collections/tencha Buy Tencha References Online (a very humble start of a list! Please forgive us, sourcing tencha is very difficult at the moment): In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) delve into the complexities of matcha and tea tasting, emphasizing the importance of reliable references for building a mental model of flavors. They discuss the balance between transpare...

https://youtu.be/H_hEuvftkrw In this episode of the Speciality Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with khun Jev of MTCH™ in Bangkok. They delve into the nuances of matcha production, matcha extraction theory, flavor profiles, specialty matcha culture in Thailand. The conversation highlights the evolution of consumer preferences and the importance of transparency and education in bui...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their experiences and insights from the past year in the matcha industry, reflecting on the lessons learned in the past year. They also share their predictions for the coming year in the matcha industry.

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Simona Suzuki from the Global Japanese Tea Association. They discuss the origins of the association, its mission to connect tea lovers and producers, and the challenges faced by the Japanese tea industry, particularly in light of the recent matcha boom. Simona shares insights on community engagement, education, and t...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore various aspects of matcha and tea culture more broadly, including how matcha can serve as a gateway to other leaf teas, their vision for a tea farm, the importance of sifting matcha, the relevance of best buy dates, and what consumers should ask to ensure they receive high-quality products. Thanks to all the listeners...

In this episode, Ryan and Sam (Zongjun) discuss the evolution of matcha with guests Jules Reyes and Marc St Raymond, formerly of the Jade Leaf Matcha. They explore the journey of matcha from a niche product to a mainstream beverage, the importance of consumer education, and the challenges of preparing matcha in cafes. The conversation delves into the significance of feedback in shaping matcha prog...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with with Dr. Rebecca Corbett, a historian specializing the history and practice of Japanese tea culture (chanoyu), and early modern Japanese women’s history. Dr. Corbett shares her personal journey into the world of tea and discusses the complexities of gender roles within tea practices. The conversation also touch...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their journey in developing a countertop matcha mill and the challenges they face in sourcing high-quality tencha. They explore the unexpected flavor profiles discovered in fresh milled gyokuro and the science behind milling and flavor extraction. The conversation delves into the contradictions within the matcha indust...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) delve into the complexities of transparency in the matcha industry. They discuss the challenges faced by farmers and brands in sharing sourcing information, the importance of consumer education, and the evolving market dynamics that influence pricing and quality. Ultimately, they envision a future where consumer preferences sh...