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/