Shows / Specialty Matcha Podcast
Specialty Matcha Podcast
The Specialty Matcha Podcast is hosted by Ryan Ahn and Zongjun Li, cofounders of Sanko Matcha Products. We discuss the growth in popularity of matcha, innovation, and matcha science. We also interview thought leaders, tea merchants, and tea educators to discuss everything from sourcing, processing, blending, milling, storytelling, health claims, and much more. Sanko Matcha Products is a startup dedicated to using functional design to create contemporary matcha gear and the use of new technology…
Episodes
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Zairai, matcha milling, and more with Pau from Tea Nursery
In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) welcome back Pau from Tea Nursey and who works as a tea farmer in Wazuka. Topics range from a Zairai summit in…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Zach Mangan, Kettl
Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) are in discussion with Zach Mangan, founder of Kettl, to discuss 16 years of sourcing Japanese tea. Topics range from how the art of…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Thailand's Advanced Matcha Market
In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) record from Bangkok the day after Thailand Coffee Fest 2026, where around 40 matcha brands exhibited and the…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Lorela Lohan, WanderlusTea
https://www.wanderlustea.com/ In this episode, Ryan talks with Lorela Lohan, founder of WanderlusTea, a Brussels-based consultancy for specialty tea businesses…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Largest *Matcha Factory in the World
*If you consider matcha produced from shaded Chinese-grown tencha as matcha. In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) report from Tongren, Guizhou…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Maren Fichter, Tea Educator and Writer
In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with Maren Fichter, a tea educator and writer whose Substack Tea & all the rest covers farming, heritage…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Jeff Fuchs, Tea Explorer
https://www.jefffuchs.com/ In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) are joined by Jeff Fuchs, author of The Ancient Tea Horse Road and the first…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Opinion: Where is all the perspective?
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uIvpxzwyVbQRTeRrnrlvW?si=KqUfE4DJQFmM0Tw6Cue9Lg Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss the lack of unique perspective in contemporary…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Chinese vs Japanese Narratives about Matcha
In this episode hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss the narrative differences between Chinese and Japanese made matcha. Sam has recently come back from Hubei…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
The Rise of Chinese Matcha
Recorded: Early May 2026 In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) record live from Canton Fair in Guangzhou to map the Chinese matcha scene in 2026. They cover…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Debate: What should Uji matcha be?
In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) close out the Uji matcha series with a debate: can Uji matcha actually be defined? The episode maps the full spectrum…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
"Japanese Tea" GI Granted & Startup Update
Ryan and Sam (Zongjun) discuss the recent GI status granted to Japanese tea, its implications for the industry, and the problems associated with the…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
What is and was Uji Matcha?
In this editorial conversation, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interrogate the term "Uji matcha" and its tangled provenance: what it once meant, and how it has quietly…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Uji-no-Matcha: The inconvenient truth about Japan's most mythologized tea label
https://open.substack.com/pub/sankomatcha/p/uji-no-matcha-the-inconvenient-truth?r=3mxquk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web It started with the disturbing…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Notes at Origin: Nishio, Aichi
Cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their experience in Nishio, Aichi including learning about pest control techniques, unique tana-shelf shading structures…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Notes at Origin: Toyota, Aichi
Cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss their learning journey hand picking tea for 3 days in Toyota, Aichi. They discuss tencha processing (including a unique…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Breaking: Japan Seeks GI for "Japanese Tea"
Ryan and Zongjun discuss the legal, cultural, and economic implications of geographic indications in the tea industry…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
100th Episode 🎊 : No Easy Answers
We are very proud to upload our 100th podcast and the end of season 4. https://sankomatcha.com/ https://sankomatcha.substack.com/p/load-bearing-myths
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Mythologizing in Matcha
Accompanying Substack Article: Load-Bearing Myths https://open.substack.com/pub/sankomatcha/p/load-bearing-myths?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Matcha companies we wish existed
Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore the evolving landscape of matcha, drawing parallels with the coffee industry, discussing innovation opportunities, and…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Our Startup Updates
Hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) discuss updates on their countertop matcha mill Sanko Usu One, the development of new community tools and projects, and their…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Tea Industry Veteran, Billy Dietz
In this episode, cohosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) speak with Billy from BHD Consulting who shares his two-decade journey in the tea industry, focusing on matcha…
Specialty Matcha PodcastMatcha Community PSA - Missing Person: Ben Barbante
Contact: https://www.instagram.com/julesreyes_/ More Info: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWUiO-YgcpW/?igsh=MXI3a2tmY3M2Z3drZg== From Jules' Post: We have…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Visiting Shirakawa Uji with Koto Tea Space
Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) in conversation in Kyoto alongside khun Pop and Yusuke-san of Koto Tea Space in Bangkok after visiting Tsuji-san, one of Japan's most…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Teaism, Khun Gan
In this episode, Khun Gan from TeaismExplorer shares his journey with tea, from working in Uji to becoming the first Thai-national Nihoncha Instructor. We…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Is matcha just a format now?
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with ChaEn Tea Experience, Khun Big
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirlTPzWoqo In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) sit down with the founder of ChaEn Tea Experience in Bangkok, khun Big…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
It's all about the References
https://sankomatcha.com/collections/tencha Buy Tencha References Online (a very humble start of a list! Please forgive us, sourcing tencha is very difficult at…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Specialty Matcha in Bangkok with Jev of MTCH™
https://youtu.be/H_hEuvftkrw In this episode of the Speciality Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with khun Jev of MTCH™ in Bangkok. They delve…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
2026 Predictions
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Global Japanese Tea Association, with Simona Suzuki
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Simona Suzuki from the Global Japanese Tea Association. They discuss the…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
2025 Specialty Matcha Podcast AMA
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
The Matcha Program with Jules Reyes and Marc St Raymond
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
We made an interesting discovery
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
The Price of Transparency
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Matcha Sensory
In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore matcha through the lens of sensory science, flavor profiling, and quality assessment. They discuss cultural…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
An Afternoon with a Chashi
https://forms.gle/48rLN1nXi6vAC1YF6 In this episode, the hosts delve into the intricate world of matcha blending after spending an afternoon with a top-ranked…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Currency of Trust
*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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Cosmic Cultures, Lissi and Zach
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Korean Matcha (Malcha)
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…
Specialty Matcha PodcastInterview with Per Oscar Brekell
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
New Culture Creation & End of Season 3
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Soy Té, Carolina
In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Carolina , founder of Soy Té, who shares her tea journey. Carolina discusses the evolution of the matcha…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Abby the Matcha Scientist
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Abby, a matcha scientist, who shares her journey from getting a PhD in…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Tea farming, tencha processing, and cultivars with Pau from Tea Nursery
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) welcome back Pau from Tea Nursery to discuss various aspects of tea cultivation…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Rocky's Matcha, Rocky
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Zenkyu Matcha, Kensuke Suji
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with No Bad Matcha, James
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 Matcha Podcast
Interview with Haru Matcha, Nicha and Francis
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Uji and Yame 2025 with Jacque & Matcha
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
How is Matcha Milled?
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Matcha Yu Tea, Erin (audio improved)
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
2025 Harvest Season with Marc from Ooika Part 2
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Context to Appreciate
In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun explore the journey of appreciating specialty matcha, discussing the consumer journey from beginner to an experienced…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Unearthed Gallery, Marcel
In this weeks episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Marcel from Unearthed Gallery based in Munich, Germany. They discuss the matcha scene in Germany…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Interview with Homecoming Matcha, Dee
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…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
Our mill is working!
In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun discuss their journey at Sanko, highlighting a significant milestone in their matcha milling…
- Specialty Matcha Podcast
2025 Harvest Season with Marc from Ooika
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…