Next Level Specialty

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 in contemporary tea culture.

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=KirlTPzWoqoIn 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 education, and the challenges of maintaining quality amidst rising prices with the matcha boom in Japan.IG: @chaen.tea.exhttps://maps.app.goo.gl/QmkgpfbVwGRGCDcZ6

https://sankomatcha.com/collections/tenchaBuy 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 transparency in labeling and the enjoyment of tea, the significant role of marketing in perceived quality, and the challenges of consumer education in the tea industry. The conversation highlights the need for reference samples and the potential future of matcha in specialty markets, advocating for a community-driven approach to education and appreciation of tea on objective truths such as where the tencha was grown, how long it was shaded, the method of shading, fertilizers applied, harvest season, harvest method, processing techniques and cultivar used.

https://youtu.be/H_hEuvftkrwIn 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 building trust with matcha enthusiasts.This episode was recorded in person at the MTCH Ari location in November, 2025IG: @mtch.official

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 the importance of balancing tradition with innovation in tea culture. The conversation highlights the need for younger generations to get involved in the tea industry and the association's efforts to foster a global tea community.https://gjtea.org/https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalJapaneseTeaAssociation

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 who submitted questions to our first AMA!

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 programs, the role of marketing in consumer expectations, and the future trends in the matcha industry. They also touch on the importance of transparency and the need for a deeper understanding of matcha quality among consumers. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of matcha consumption, exploring consumer preferences, the importance of education, and the cultural significance of matcha. They discuss the balance between traditional preparation methods and modern practices, emphasizing the need for innovation in the matcha industry. The introduction of Mindful Drops, a new product aimed at bringing the benefits of l-theanine in everyday life, highlights the accessibility of matcha's calming and focusing effects to a broader audience.https://www.matchaprogram.com/https://thematchaprogram.substack.com/IG: @matchaprogramIG: @mindfuldropsIG: @julesreyes_IG: @marcstraymond

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/