Specialty Matcha Podcast

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore matcha through the lens of sensory science, flavor profiling, and quality assessment. They discuss cultural perspectives on taste, the socially-constructed nature of quality assessment, the role of descriptive analysis, and different frameworks for tasting. The episode concludes with comparative tastings examining the effects of temperature and dilut...

https://forms.gle/48rLN1nXi6vAC1YF6 In this episode, the hosts delve into the intricate world of matcha blending after spending an afternoon with a top-ranked chashi. The conversation covered topics such as new and exciting cultivars, compromises made when blending lower quality tencha, and their options of Chinese matcha which might surprise you! Koto Tea Space / Chajin Life in Bangkok recorded t...

*Correction: Uji City produced only 37.6 tons of tencha in 2024, not 70 tons. I confused this number with the area of actively farmed tea cultivation in Uji City which is 73.6 hectares (source: https://www.pref.kyoto.jp/nosan/documents/r6chachosa2.pdf) In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) delve into the intricate relationship between trust and the matcha industry...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) welcome Lissi and Zach from Cosmic Cultures. They discuss the importance of low intervention agricultural practices in matcha, especially regarding the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides . The conversation delves into the importance of building relationships with farmers, the evolving landscape of matcha sourcing, and...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore the history and evolving landscape of matcha and Korean tea culture. They discuss the globalization of matcha, the impact of Japanese colonial history, and the modern practices of tea production in Korea, particularly in regions like Jeju Island but also Boseong and Hadong. The conversation highlights the unique characteristics of Korean matcha, its...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with Oscar Brekell, a renowned expert and author in Japanese tea. He is the founder of the tea brand Senchaism, author of multiple books including A beginner's guide to Japanese Tea , and is a certified Nihoncha instructor. They explore Oscar's journey into the world of Japanese tea, the inner workings of te...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Sam (Zongjun) reflect on the evolution of matcha culture, the challenges posed by a global shortage, and the importance of embracing new consumer trends. They discuss the cultural shifts in matcha consumption, the stigmatization of non-Japanese matcha, and the need for a more inclusive global matcha community. The conversation highlights th...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Carolina , founder of Soy Té, who shares her tea journey. Carolina discusses the evolution of the matcha scene in Mexico, the different consumer groups, and the cultural influences on matcha consumption. She also shares her experiences in Japan, the challenges of sourcing quality matcha, and the importance of educating consumers about matcha. The c...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Abby, a matcha scientist, who shares her journey from getting a PhD in chemical engineering at Stanford to exploring the world of matcha. The conversation delves into the science behind matcha, the challenges in researching it, and the importance of consumer education and transparency in the matcha industry. Abby dis...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) welcome back Pau from Tea Nursery to discuss various aspects of tea cultivation and processing. The conversation delves into the 2025 spring harvest in Wazuka, including weather impacts and frost prevention techniques. They explore the realities of tea farming and the physical demands of tencha processing. The discussion...

In this episode of the Specialty Match Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Rocky Xu, founder of Rocky's Matcha. They discuss Rocky's journey into the world of matcha, the evolution of his brand, and the importance of authenticity and community in building a successful business. Rocky shares insights from his previous experience at Nike and how it has influenced his approach to brandi...

In this episode of the Specialty Match Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Kensuke Suji, Founder of Zenkyu Matcha based in Tokyo. Suji-san shares his journey from a corporate marketing career at Procter & Gamble to launching his own matcha brand. He discusses the cultural perceptions of matcha in Japan, the challenges of sourcing quality matcha, and the importance of mindfulness in the m...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun interview James from No Bad Matcha, discussing the evolution of matcha in the Philippines, the challenges faced in the specialty cafe industry, and the importance of sourcing high-quality matcha. James shares insights on consumer preferences, recipe development, matcha workflows, and the future of matcha in the region, emphasizing the need for education, quality c...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk to Nicha and Francis, the cofounders of Haru Matcha based in London. The discussion dives into the UK matcha scene, their experience visiting tea farms in Gokasho and other regions around Uji, and how they’ve built their brand. Nicha and Francis also share their unique perspective as professional behavioral scient...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with Jacque from Jacque & Matcha, exploring her recent experiences in Japan. They discuss the importance of in-person connections, the unique insights gained from educational tours, and the challenges faced by tea farmers. The conversation highlights the role of women in the tea industry, the significance of cul...

In this episode of the Specialty Match Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) delve into the world of matcha milling. They explore various milling mechanisms, including traditional stone-ground (ishi usu) matcha, and modern approaches such as ball mills and jet mills. The conversation highlights the operational complexities of these machines, the importance of particle morphology and heat managemen...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) welcome Erin Lindwall, founder of Matcha Yu, to discuss her journey into the world of matcha, the evolution of matcha culture in Australia, and the challenges faced in the tea industry. Erin shares her experiences in Japan, the importance of quality and education in matcha, and the cultural significance of matcha. The co...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan, Sam, and Marc discuss the intricacies of the tea industry, focusing on matcha and hojicha. They reflect on Marc's recent trip to Japan, where he learned about the challenges faced by tea farmers, the cultural significance of tea, and the dynamics of the market. The conversation delves into the future of matcha production, the impact of con...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun explore the journey of appreciating specialty matcha, discussing the consumer journey from beginner to an experienced consumer. They delve into the importance of context in appreciating matcha, the role of rarity and value, and how people form preferences. The conversation highlights the democratization of matcha appreciation, different sphere's in which match...

In this weeks episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Marcel from Unearthed Gallery based in Munich, Germany. They discuss the matcha scene in Germany, learnings from specialty matcha workshops Marcel has hosted, as well as importation complexities bringing matcha into the EU. https://unearthed-gallery.com/

In this episode of the Specialty Match podcast, Ryan and Sam welcome Dee from Homecoming Matcha to discuss her journey in the matcha industry. Dee shares her background, the vision behind her brand, and the importance of authenticity in matcha branding. The conversation explores the challenges of sourcing matcha, the impact of tariffs, and the products Dee plans to launch. They also discuss commun...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun discuss their journey at Sanko, highlighting a significant milestone in their matcha milling technology. They explore the evolution of matcha from a traditional Japanese beverage to a global phenomenon, addressing the challenges of stale matcha in the supply chain and the importance of fresh milling. The conversation delves into cul...

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun discuss the 2025 matcha harvest with Marc from Ooika. They discuss the quality and yield of the spring 2025 harvest, the matcha shortage, prices, and the economic dynamics of Uji tea. The episode also includes participants from the Ooika matcha tour and was recorded at the end of day one.

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Sam share their experiences of hand-picking tea in Uji, Japan for the 2025 harvest season. They discuss the unique challenges and techniques involved in tea harvesting, the community spirit among tea pickers, and the sustainability issues facing the industry. The conversation also touches on the cultural aspects of tea production, the gatek...

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun discuss their experiences with matcha in various cafes, particularly in London. They explore the quality of matcha served, the preparation techniques used, and the importance of staff training. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by cafes in delivering high-quality matcha with exacting standards and the need for better consumer education. They also em...