Interrogating Chanoyu Narratives with Dr. Rebecca Corbett

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 touches on the influence of the Urasenke school, the secretive nature of knowledge transmission in Chanoyu, and the institutionalized sexism present in Japanese society. Dr. Corbett's book, Cultivating Femininity: Women and Tea Culture in Edo and Meiji Japan, sheds light on the women who were written out of tea history and disproves orthodox narratives perpetuated by the largest and most powerful schools of tea ceremony in the world. https://libraries.usc.edu/person/rebecca-corbetthttps://theconversation.com/green-gruel-pea-soup-what-westerners-thought-of-matcha-when-they-tried-it-for-the-first-time-263014?utm_medium=article_clipboard_share&utm_source=theconversation.comhttps://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/30216https://globaltea.ucdavis.edu/

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 industry, the power dynamics at play, and the future of specialty matcha.

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 shape the matcha landscape, leading to a richer and more diverse culture around matcha consumption.

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 dilution in matcha preparation, differences across matcha blends, and a comparison between two hand-picked, single-cultivar Asahi matchas made from Uji-grown tencha: one organic and kanreisha (shelf) shaded, the other conventionally grown and honzu shaded.

https://forms.gle/48rLN1nXi6vAC1YF6In 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 this great video referenced in the episode where they touch on one of the theories behind the "shiro" poetic naming convention and the role chashi's have played historically: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8U25u1BuK0

*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. They explore how trust serves as the primary undercurrent of the industry, the complexities surrounding Uji matcha, and the challenges of mislabeling and transparency in the supply chain. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the context behind matcha sourcing and production, as well as the evolving expectations of consumers in a rapidly changing market.

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 the significance of educating consumers about the quality and taste of naturally grown matcha. They also touch on the future of the matcha industry and the impact of organic certifications on consumer choices.https://cosmic-cultures.com/

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 potential in the global market, and the cultural narratives surrounding tea. The Korean Way of Tea in History and Today (Lecturer: Brother Anthony)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE9laWgT5gE

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 tea research institutes, and the significance of cultivar development and processing techniques in shaping the flavors of tea. The conversation delves into the tea ecosystem in Japan, the auction systems, and the evolving landscape of matcha cultivation. Oscar emphasizes the importance of processing over terroir in determining the quality of tea and providing insights into the future of tea cultivation. This conversation explores the modern interpretation of single origin and the implications of a globalized matcha market. They also highlight the changing preferences of younger consumers and the potential future of tea consumption.Our new podcast music is here! Huge thanks to Garrett Rabian for composing and recording it.https://www.instagram.com/brekell/https://senchaism.myshopify.com/https://www.brekell.com/

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 the potential for matcha to thrive as a global beverage while addressing the complexities of supply and quality.