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 branding and collaborations. The conversation also touches on sourcing philosophy and the significance of preserving tradition.
https://www.rockysmatcha.com/
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 matcha making experience. The conversation also touches on market trends, consumer preferences, and the future of matcha in a global context.
https://zenkyumatcha.com/
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 control, and of course... no bad matcha.
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 scientists, exploring how theories and frameworks from consumer behavioral science can be leveraged to position products and communicate value in matcha.
https://harumatcha.co.uk/
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 cultural exchanges, and the future of tea production. Jacque shares her inspiring moments with farmers and the collaborative projects she is involved in, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and community support in the tea industry.
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 management, and the grinding mechanisms of each method.
Additionally, they announce features of the matcha mill they are currently developing, Sanko Usu One, to mill matcha fresh anywhere and everywhere to a similar quality standard of a traditional stone ishi usu. For more information on Sanko Usu One, please email hello@sanko-cha.com or message us on Instagram @sanko_matcha or @specialtymatcha for a link-only Notion page with all of the details . Pre-orders for the beta program open in September, 2025!
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 conversation also touches on the growing interest in matcha among younger generations and the impact of coffee culture on matcha consumption.
https://www.matchayutea.com/
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 consumer behavior on pricing, and the potential for hojicha to become a specialty product.
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 matcha is appreciated in, and the need for "more educated" consumers who can discern quality and value in the market.
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 community engagement strategies and the future of the matcha industry, emphasizing the need for transparency and sustainability.
https://www.homecomingmatcha.com/
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 cultural dynamics, innovation cycles, and the need for community engagement.
If you are interested in the beta program please reach out to us at ryan@sanko-cha.com, on our website, or on Instagram @sanko_matcha
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 gatekeeping in matcha culture, and offers advice for those interested in tea picking. They conclude with thoughts on the future of matcha and the potential for growth in other regions beyond Uji.
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 emphasize the significance of infrastructure and workflow in cafes to improve matcha quality and share insights on how the matcha industry can evolve.
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun discuss the current state of matcha in cafes, highlighting the challenges of quality, barista training, and consumer expectations. They explore the structural issues within the matcha industry, including supply chain problems and the lack of education for both baristas and consumers. The conversation emphasizes the need for better quality products and the importance of creating demand for specialty matcha.
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun interview David Lavecchia, co-founder of Tezumi, a company specializing in specialty Japanese tea and teaware.
They discuss the founding of Tezumi, the challenges of sourcing, and the importance of transparency in the tea industry. The conversation also explores the complexities and heritage of zairai (seed-grown tea), the evolution matcha milling, the role of the chashi (tea blenders), lost matcha production methods, the sen-Senke, samurai warrior class schools including David's school Ueda Sōko-ryū, and Tezumi's content creation process.
https://www.tezumi.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@tezumitea
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan Ahn and ZongjunLi explore the rich history and cultural significance of matcha . They discuss the origins of tea, the evolution of matcha production, and the impact of historical events on its consumption. The conversation delves into the mythical stories surrounding tea, the development of the Japanese tea ceremony, and contemporary critiques of its practice. They also address the globalization of matcha, the specialty matcha movement, and the complexities of cultural appropriation in today's society. The episode concludes with reflections on the future of matcha as both a traditional and innovative product.
This episode references the book Making Tea, Making Japan by Kristin Surak.
https://www.sup.org/books/asian-studies/making-tea-making-japan
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun delve into the often-overlooked tensions between the values that shape how matcha is sourced and marketed. They argue that it’s in the compromises vendors make—whether in pursuit of tradition, product quality, or prestige—that their core values are most clearly revealed. This conversation unpacks the friction between consumer preferences, product quality, sustainability, support for Japanese tea farms, reverence for tea ceremony traditions, and matcha’s reputation as a health product. What happens when these priorities collide? And what does it say about the choices we make as producers, sellers, and drinkers of matcha?
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan Ahn and Zongjun discuss the complexities of matcha product positioning, emphasizing the need for transparency and consumer education. They explore the challenges of top-down positioning in the matcha industry, where consumers often lack the knowledge to make informed decisions. The hosts advocate for a shift towards a more transparent approach that allows consumers to understand the quality and flavor profiles of matcha products, ultimately leading to a more educated consumer base and a healthier market.
