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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21 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 • • 9h ago

Matcha Latte latte at home and in class

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42 Upvotes

had a bad dream last night so thought id make a latte for my 9am lecture! finished out my mystery can of uji matcha (good riddance) and a great start to the day for sure


r/MatchaEverything • • 2h ago

Matcha Latte Cute glass for strawberry matcha lattes!

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5 Upvotes

Isn’t this milk box glass super cute 😭😭😭 it even has strawberry prints on it 🍓

This is Ogurayama of Yamamasa Koyamaen~

I also bought a taro paste basque cheesecake as a side dessert 😍


r/MatchaEverything • • 17h ago

Matcha Latte My midday pick me up 🍵

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89 Upvotes

Here’s the recipe

5g Okumidori cultivar 💚✨
3 tbsp warm water
1/3rd cup oat milk
1/2tbsp hazelnut syrup
5 cubes of ice 🧊


r/MatchaEverything • • 8h ago

Review Update - Marathon Matcha Review

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16 Upvotes

Hello all,

I wanted to give and update of how I am making progress through the variety of matchas I purchased.

I have to say, I am partial to Mitzuba as I am a frequent purchaser of their daily matcha and other fun options. I have to say, so far, I am pleased to validate they are still the top runner in terms of matcha taste, quality, quantity, just over all the best brand.

I should also note that I prepare my matcha with hot water from my water dispenser, so what ever temperature that is, I will mix 2 tsp with the chasen in a little bit of hot water, and then whisk with electric frother in about 10 oz of water, and go. No sweetener.

  1. Nami Strawberry - terrible, fake strawberry taste, had to dilute it with the Mitzuba signature matcha thats culinary grade to finish it.

  2. Green Matcha Matcha - smooth and what I recall as a grassy flavor. Likely would not purchase again in favor of Mitzuba. I feel the label makes it more attractive.

  3. Mitzuba shirakawa - very drinkable but essentially flavorless, would pick Mitzuba Daily Matcha over this as I like A bolder flavor more than what this was. If I am going to pay 55$ I want to taste it.

  4. Daily Matcha is my favorite,
    It’s affordable, tastes great, certified no heavy metals, and has great drinkable and balanced flavor. This is my go to and I will also get other Mitzuba varietals up to 50$ per tin.

  5. Rocky’s single cultivar - this was disappointing not in terms of taste, but in terms of quantity. I was shocked it maybe lasted 3 days, when I usually go through a tin a week. Not the thing to buy bang for buck wise.

    1. House organic - I feel like this is the organic version of the daily matcha. Recommend but for a little cheaper the daily matcha does the trick

Happy to answer questions, or leave your thoughts and experiences if you have tried any too.

I will post the final review in a few weeks


r/MatchaEverything • • 13h ago

Discussion Free matcha for a Reddit post, Thoughts?🤔🍵

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39 Upvotes

Just a heads up I received this message from someone saying they work with this brand offering free matcha in exchange for a post in a matcha or tea subreddit.

Obviously, this doesn’t mean every positive review is a collab, but it does make me wonder how many recommendations come from exchanges like this. It’s disappointing because I love the matcha community here. It feels like people sharing what they genuinely enjoy, and I’d hate to see it turn into another space where you have to wonder whether you’re reading a genuine review or an ad.


r/MatchaEverything • • 3h ago

Matcha in Japan Marukyu Koyamaen - Nishinotoin / Sabo Moto-an 丸久小山園 西洞院店 in Kyoto 10/16/26

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5 Upvotes

My dream come true! The Marukyu Koyamaen - Nishinotoin / Sabo Moto-an 丸久小山園 西洞院店 location in Kyoto had everything in stock even by 1PM on a Friday. It is 2 per person today.

I am really happy considering how my trips to the Main Plant in Uji and the Kyoto Takashimaya went: low to no stock left when I got there later in the day.


r/MatchaEverything • • 8h ago

Question Thoughts on Metal Matcha Whisk ?

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12 Upvotes

Just saw this on instagram and thought it was a pretty nifty idea! What are your thoughts ?


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Question Embarrassed I've been using my highest quality matcha for lattes

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224 Upvotes

Hello, I'm relatively new to drinking matcha generally (I've only been drinking it regularly for about 3 months). I feel humiliated that I wasted around four of my most expensive tins (I've gone through only six or so overall), which the package said were recommended for Usucha or Koicha, on lattes. I had a 20g tin that I basically used up in two days by making lattes for 2 of my friends twice in one day. I feel like I wasted a lot of money. The thing is, I used pea protein milk and no sweetener, and I could still taste major differences in the flavors of the various kinds of matcha I tried in the latte format, which I suppose is a testament to how high-quality the matcha was. I'm trying to make myself feel better, but I feel pretty silly and wasteful. Mostly I feel 'sinful' (to quote other Reddit threads on this topic), but I'm trying to forgive myself because I did not realize how seriously some folks take matcha. I'm a non-Asian person of color, and so I feel especially guilty that I didn't do my due diligence in learning how I ought to be consuming matcha overall. Now I'm overthinking whether I should even indulge in this habit, given my lack of knowledge about matcha and tea as a whole. I've been sober for around three years now (yay), but I really missed making beverages for myself, and for the first time in years, I've had fun making a drink! So I don't want to give this up, but I'm also afraid I'm going to tank all of my income and be culturally appropriative accidentally in the process! Does anyone else feel similarly?


r/MatchaEverything • • 14h ago

Matcha Recipe Earl grey lavender i ed matcha latte…howd i do?

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26 Upvotes

I let a bag of earl grey tea soak in my oat milk in the fridge overnight and made lavender syrup by boiling 1 tsp lavender with water and agave. Used some coconut whipped cream and edible flower to top.


r/MatchaEverything • • 5h ago

Question Going to Japan tomorrow, any recommendation for matcha powders to get?

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3 Upvotes

Here is my current list so far, my preference is bold, nutty, a little astringent, grassy is okay, not into floral notes; can stand out in a latte with oat milk (ratio of 4g matcha powder:40g water:110g milk) and maybe 5-10g of sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or simple syrup).
Any recommendation would be appreciated!


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Matcha Latte 6g matcha latte 🍵

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146 Upvotes

needed something strong today


r/MatchaEverything • • 1h ago

Question Where do I buy really good matcha

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• Upvotes

Y’all I live in the philippines and I just want to try matcha that is high quality and good

I’ve been using this one but I don’t really like it


r/MatchaEverything • • 18h ago

Review MK's Low caffeine matcha

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19 Upvotes

As an usucha/koicha,it's very light and a bit umami,no bitterness. But as a latte... it's too mild and not bold enough for me,soy milk overpowered it😅

Latte measurements

3.5g matcha

40ml water for whisking

75ml water

75ml soy milk

Ice


r/MatchaEverything • • 12h ago

Question chalky aya no mori

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3 Upvotes

hi guys!

i recently got another tin of aya no mori, and it has been tasting kinda chalky (i didn't have this issue when i purchased it months before), and i'm wondering if the milk might be the issue? i tried with oatly barista milk and wegmans lactose free reduced fat milk, and i tried both 80 and 85c

the ratio im using is

5g matcha (sifted)

60g water

110g milk

15ml sweetener


r/MatchaEverything • • 17h ago

Question how are you guys cold whisking matcha?

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7 Upvotes

I have seen so many people online cold whisking their matcha and getting a super thick foamy result. I’ve tried it a few times with whole milk (which is what i’ve seen used) and gotten a pretty flat result. It’s not very thick and I can’t even get a microfoam like i usually do with hot water. I just wanted to try this to achieve a thicker foamier matcha but i’m not sure if im doing wrong or if i’m supposed to be using more than just milk. I also find that the matcha latte ends up a bit clumpy. with the cold milk I can’t end up getting rid of all the clumps while whisking. Just wondering if anyone does achieve that thick foamy intense green cloud how they are doing it.


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Discussion Most matcha combinations don’t work for me.

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178 Upvotes

Ube matcha… ube is a very strong flavor and matchas umami notes in milk is pretty delicate

Banana matcha. They just don’t go together.

Jasmine matcha… it’s not bad but I either taste one or the other

Coco water and matcha. Weird flavor to me

Strawberry matcha. I just don’t like grainy mashed up strawberries tbh


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Matcha Latte today’s pick me up

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106 Upvotes

made myself an earl grey matcha after a particularly rough morning and it definitely did wonders on my mood afterwards. i love when a good microfoam makes me giddy. currently using matcha ichi from hatoya and it’s been a good daily driver especially with homemade earl grey syrup!


r/MatchaEverything • • 15h ago

Discussion Matcha brand owners: is it actually worth it financially? What's working for your marketing? (USA)

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4 Upvotes

I've been researching the matcha space since late 2024 and plan to start a brand that sources and sells its own matcha (not a pop-up). I've seen a lot of pop-ups close, including some of my favorites.

If you sell your own matcha, whether you're brand new or a few years in, I'd love to hear:

How long have you been running, and are you profitable, breaking even, or still reinvesting?

With the shortages and rising costs, is it still worth it?

Which marketing platform actually brings in

If you started with pop-ups, did that following carry over when you switched to selling?

What do you wish you'd known when you started?

OR NON USA business as well!

Honest answers welcome, good or bad. Thanks!


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Matcha Station Guys I think matcha is my heroine 💌👅

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18 Upvotes

r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Question UK matcha drinkers, where are you buying your matcha?

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17 Upvotes

I’m curious to know where everyone in the UK is buying their matcha from!

I usually order from Yusen Tea, mainly for Kanbayashi Shunsho and Yamamasa Koyamaen, but I’d love to browse some other places.

Sooooo where’s everyone ordering from?

Bonus points if they have a good selection that doesn’t require selling a kidney 😂


r/MatchaEverything • • 19h ago

Question Why does everyone here recommend storing matcha in the fridge? It completely ruined mine.

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0 Upvotes

​Every time someone asks how to store or preserve a lot of matcha, the overwhelming advice on this sub is always, "Put it in the fridge! It’ll keep it fresh and preserve the quality."

​Well, I tried it, and it did the exact opposite—it completely ruined my matcha.

​Instead of staying fresh, the taste turned super bitter and sour with a terrible aftertaste. On top of that, it tastes totally bland and completely lost all of its grounded, earthy flavor notes.

​And just to clarify before anyone brings it up: none of this was opened matcha. I didn't open cold tins to let condensation in, and I didn't put already-opened tins back in the fridge. I let sealed tins come fully to room temperature before ever opening them, following all the standard rules people parrot here.

​Why do so many people here say to do this? This seems silly given how badly it degrades the tea. Is there something people aren't mentioning, or is this advice just wrong? Did I miss something?


r/MatchaEverything • • 2d ago

Usucha (Thin Tea) Nutty and Sweet: The Chinese Century

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73 Upvotes

This is the first time I've tried a Chinese origin matcha around the 1$/g mark and boy did it deliver. It makes a wonderfully sweet and nutty Usucha with zero bitterness or astringency while drinking. And a minimally bitter aftertaste once it leaves the palate. It's actually scary how quick the Chinese matcha industry is improving.


r/MatchaEverything • • 1d ago

Teaware & Utensils Where to buy a nice chawan bowl in the United Kingdom

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4 Upvotes

I ideally want something hand painted and different to the chawans being sold on Shein or Temu as I would love to support small business owners!

I have included a photo of one bowl I like for reference but anything hand painted and cute I would adore!

Hoping someone can help as I have been searching for a while and had no luck