EP 190 The Matcha Shortage & The Truth

In this episode of Wabi Sabi, I share the historical truth about matcha — from Eisai, the monk who first introduced powdered tea to Japan, to Sen no Rikyū, who refined the way of tea during the Tokugawa era. We trace matcha’s roots through centuries of Japanese history, examining its role as a cultural and spiritual practice as well as a daily ritual. I also address the current shortage of ceremonial-grade matcha, why demand is outpacing supply, and what we can do about it. Finally, I call for better journalism around matcha — reporting that goes beyond trend-driven coverage to honor its sacred origins and the Japanese farmers and artisans who continue to protect and preserve this tradition. — Candice Kumai

You can listen to EP 190 The Matcha Shortage & The Truth online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

EP 190 The Matcha Shortage & The Truth is an episode from Wabi Sabi - The Perfectly Imperfect Podcast with Candice Kumai by Candice Kumai.

This episode is 00:42:27 long.

This episode was published on Aug 18, 2025.

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