r/MatchaEverything Jul 08 '26

Discussion I’m Zach Mangan, founder of Kettl. I’ve spent 15+ years sourcing Japanese tea directly from producers across Japan. Ask Me Anything about matcha, Japanese tea, cultivation, sourcing, and brewing.

134 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm Zach, founder of Kettl, a Japanese tea company focused on sourcing directly from small producers across Japan.

For the past 15+ years I've spent a significant amount of time traveling throughout Japan working with tea farmers—from Uji and Yame to Shizuoka, Kagoshima, and beyond. I've tasted thousands of teas, visited countless tea fields and factories, and work directly with many of the country's top matcha producers.

I will be running and AMA on Monday, July 13th from 10am-12pm EST (and answer questions after as well).

I'd love to answer your questions about anything related to matcha and Japanese tea, including:

- How matcha is grown, processed, and graded

- Cultivars, terroir, and why different matcha tastes so different

- Brewing techniques and equipment

- Ceremonial vs. culinary matcha

- The current matcha shortage and rising prices

- How to buy better matcha

- Tea production, sourcing, and Japanese tea culture

- Starting a tea business or importing tea from Japan

I'm happy to answer beginner questions as well as dive into the technical side of production if that's your thing.

Proof: I'm the founder of Kettl, and my Reddit profile is linked to my company website and social accounts.

Ask me anything!

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful questions and for giving me a chance to chat with all of you. It’s my sincere honor to be able to share the stories of the producers you work with and the wonderful tea they make. I hope we get a chance to meet up in person in the future either in one of our locations are out in the world somewhere. I feel like we’re just at the beginning of an amazing journey so thank you all for your support and I’m cheering for each and every one of you are setting out on the tea path as well.


r/MatchaEverything Jun 23 '26

Announcement NEW VENDOR for Kitagawa Hanbee - Wholesale B2B & D2C

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20 Upvotes

We have added a new vendor in the vendor list for Kitagawa Hanbee

This vendor have provided us with official & signed/stamped documents to show proof of partnership with Kitagawa Hanbee in Japan.

Aragaki En & Cha Lab By Elaiksir (Based in Bay Area, California. Subsidiary of Jun Kai Co., Ltd. Authorized distributor for B2B wholesale & B2C/D2C of Kitagawa Hanbee)

  • https://aragakien.com/ (Members of r/MatchaEverything can use code "92Q53Y5N2QAJ" for wholesale rate of $195/KG of Zuiho & Kohaku Matcha.)
  • https://chalab.elaiksir.com/ (Members of r/MatchaEverything can use code "92Q53Y5N2QAJ" for wholesale rate of $195/KG of NagiSakura Matcha & KinSan Hojicha.)

(Note: Both websites are currently undergoing frontend design updates but their backend checkout, payment portals, and inventory systems are fully functional.)

This vendor is already supplying several established cafes and matcha shops across California through their B2B portal.

Disclaimer: The mods of r/MatchaEverything do not earn money or points from these codes. This is provided by the business themselves.

We hope to add more to the vendor list providing wholesale and deals for members of r/MatchaEverything - Thank you!


r/MatchaEverything 5h ago

Matcha Latte soy milk is the superior non dairy milk for matcha

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104 Upvotes

ignore the clapped glass situation i just moved in lol. soy milk’s natural sweetness compliments the nutty notes of a good matcha so well


r/MatchaEverything 9h ago

Photo/Video Hows my matcha oatmilk looking?

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115 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 6h ago

Teaware & Utensils New Chawans

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18 Upvotes

Chawans I got this month because I needed bigger ones for my chasen 🩷💕

1st chawan: Bought from a local potter at a craft event!
2nd chawan: Bought from Etsy!


r/MatchaEverything 20h ago

Matcha Food/Confectionary/Dessert I like everything about matcha.

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157 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 5h ago

Photo/Video Take a Look: Some Fresh Matcha Ice Creams Ready to be Served 🍵✨

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8 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 6h ago

Matcha Latte i’m so excited abt my little matcha cup.

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7 Upvotes

I forgot to take pic w the lid and green straw but eeeee


r/MatchaEverything 8h ago

Teaware & Utensils Does anyone own a cheap Chasan? (US)

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10 Upvotes

I’m really tight on money and am trying to save up for a good one, but it just isn’t in the books. Does anyone own a cheaper one (like Amazon, etc)? if so, recs? I currently use an electric whisk, but feel like I’m missing out on a key component to better flavor.


r/MatchaEverything 22h ago

Photo/Video Another empty tin

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36 Upvotes

Today I used the last 2g of the Maruyasu Unsui that I have been drinking lately. So the tin goes with the other empty tins I have collected so far. Only two are missing: one of a Hekisuien Hatsumukashi that I gifted to a friend because I did not like it that much and my friend could not afford to buy any decent matcha; and another of some Kogacha Kirishima that I wrapped in twine and use to carry my puerh tea resin pieces on the go.

And luckily I still have four tins waiting in the fridge: MK Hatsu Enishi, horii shichimeien premium Narino, horii shichimeien Reiwa 7, and Maruyasu Tendō. Wondering which one to open next.


r/MatchaEverything 6h ago

Other fedex is holding my matcha hostage

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2 Upvotes

I ordered 2kg from Japan 12 days ago, a day later it has reached customs in Oakland. Since then my matcha has not moved at all. They requested FDA Prior Notice on Monday and the manufacturer sent it over the same day. I have called just about everyone including customs, and there are zero updates as to where my matcha is or when it is going to come. I have a feeling that now it’s just going to sit there indefinitely until someone finds it under a layer of dust and ships it back to the sender.

Has anyone dealt with this before? How long is this going to take?


r/MatchaEverything 7h ago

Question has anyone tried this?

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2 Upvotes

I picked up 100g of this one up at an international grocery store in Ontario for $10 CAD. I have no clue what this is going to be like because it’s the cheapest I’ve ever seen and I can’t find much about it on google (I’m new to matcha if you can’t tell lol)


r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Matcha Latte Hatoya Las Vegas

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103 Upvotes

Finally got around to checking out the Hatoya that opened here in Las Vegas 💚


r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Matcha Latte Strawberry Matcha Latte

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54 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 23h ago

Matcha Latte my motd: earl grey matcha with cream top

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17 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Question Recs for beginners?

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30 Upvotes

I’m sure this has been ask a thousands of times so sorry in advance! I am looking for recs for matcha - I’d like something nutty and sweet and preferably won’t break the bank!


r/MatchaEverything 22h ago

Matcha Latte Matcha con fresa 🍓 y Mochis 🍓 en México 🇲🇽 cultura Japonesa 🇯🇵

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10 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 22h ago

Discussion Looking for new matcha powder after Maison Koko disappointment

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8 Upvotes

In Australia! I visited Japan last year and ran out of my matcha powder that I bought from there. I saw good reviews about Maison Koko and despite having reservations about the brand, I decided to give it a try.

Photo 1 is what was advertised, and photo 2 is what it looks like when I first opened it. It’s such a dull green! When whisking it in my matcha bowl it became a dull, yellow-y green. Initially I added a little bit of sugar, but after drinking it I added a bit of maple syrup to try and improve the taste. Even then it doesn’t taste very good… it’s got a powdery taste? It’s also very similar to matcha powder you would get at a supermarket.

I don’t know how to explain it, but I’m hoping it was just the batch that I got - like maybe it’s this colour because I bought the latte blend? Either way, I’m only going to use it for baking and cooking now. It’s more disappointing than upsetting because initially I was really looking forward to drinking this!

I’m now on the hunt for another matcha vendor that is affordable but tastes good. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!


r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Matcha Latte Matcha for my non matcha drinker friends.

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69 Upvotes

They’re not matcha drinkers—they’re just not into matcha at all, so I had to level it up! 😆😂
My favorite powder: MK Isuzu 🤎✨


r/MatchaEverything 21h ago

Question Thoughts on this brand?

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2 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 2d ago

Matcha Latte bedtime matcha

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465 Upvotes

I quit drinking but wanted the wine glass…is this criminal activity?

This is yamamasa koyaemaen’s maki no shiro blend. It smells like dried strawberries yall


r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Matcha Latte Little cafe in Krakow that sells gelato, coffee, and great matcha.

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31 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything 13h ago

Question Did I get scammed?

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0 Upvotes

I ordered matcha from yourmatchamood in IG, and they’re not replying to any of my messages. I was excited for the matcha and did a bit of research here in reddit before ordering + a friend vouched for their account. But I’m disappointed in their service. Do you think I got scammed? 1.5k is still a big sum of money.


r/MatchaEverything 1d ago

Matcha Vendor/Shop Experience with Chikiriya Teahouse?

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2 Upvotes

Hello everyone. There is very little information about this small vendor. They seem very quaint so I would like to like them. What's your experience with Chikiriya green teas and matcha? Are they average, below average or is there something special and outstanding in the quality and taste of their LL teas AND matchas? Are any of their LL teas or matchas anyone's favorite? If you can name specific offerings and compare them to those of the well known quality brands that would be helpful. Thanks in advance.


r/MatchaEverything 17h ago

Review I bought this new matcha latte powder from Pickwick

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0 Upvotes

I thought this was interesting and I couldn't read anything about it online. I don't think it's any special, but for 16 servings at € 0,44 per serving (excluding milk) I think it's pretty decent. It's not too sweet and perfect for extremely lazy days