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PODCAST

Specialty Matcha Podcast

Sanko Matcha Products

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 to

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All Episodes

00:52:18

Matcha companies we wish existed

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/04/23

Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore the evolving landscape of matcha, drawing parallels with the coffee industry, discussing innovation opportunities, and envisioning a future ecosystem that empowers farmers, enhances product quality, and expands market access.

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00:42:53

Our Startup Updates

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/04/16

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 upcoming research article about unpacking the inconvenient truth about Uji Matcha.

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00:52:24

Interview with Tea Industry Veteran, Billy Dietz

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/03/26

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, branding, sourcing, and industry trends. Discover insights on building a tea brand, navigating traditional and modern markets, and the future of matcha and specialty tea.IG: @sirwillotleafhttps://www.bdhconsultants.com/abouthttps://steepinsights.substack.com/

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00:00:59

Matcha Community PSA - Missing Person: Ben Barbante

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Contact: https://www.instagram.com/julesreyes_/More Info: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWUiO-YgcpW/?igsh=MXI3a2tmY3M2Z3drZg==From Jules' Post:We have reason to believe that Ben made it to Bangkok, Thailand.Up until now, we've been focusing our efforts on his last known location in Galicia, Spain and his direction of travel (Madrid). THANK YOU to everyone who helped us trace his movements there.With this new information, we're shifting our focus to the next leg of his journey: Thailand

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01:03:14

Visiting Shirakawa Uji with Koto Tea Space

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/03/12

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 decorated matcha producers. The conversation goes deep on fertilization science, soil mineral dynamics, and why Tsuji-san sends individual tea leaves to a lab at enormous cost. His words sum it up well: you cannot make great matcha without science.The second half covers how Koto Tea Space built a Bangkok audience for high-grade matcha by

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00:55:31

Interview with Teaism, Khun Gan

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/03/05

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 explore the nuances of matcha production, regional labeling, and the evolving tea industry in Japan and Thailand.IG: @teaism.explorer

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01:23:58

Next Level Specialty

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/02/19

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 renowned matcha farmer Tsuji-san, toured Marukyu Koyamaen, and visited Baisa Nakamura. They deep dive into insights from Tsuji-san on matcha fertilization, innovations happening in the world of matcha, and cross-cultural exchanges happening in contemporary tea culture.

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01:23:49

Is matcha just a format now?

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/02/14

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 over the world. The conversation highlights the fluidity of matcha's identity historically, is use and perhaps misuse today, and the importance of education in understanding both historical and contemporary tea cultures.

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00:50:01

Interview with ChaEn Tea Experience, Khun Big

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/02/06

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KirlTPzWoqoIn this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) sit down with the founder of ChaEn Tea Experience in Bangkok, khun Big. They discuss the unique cultivation of Jinxuan cultivar matcha in northern Thailand and the art of blending Thai and Japanese cultivars. The conversation covers the evolution of consumer preferences in Thailand, the impact of COVID on tea education, and the challenges of maintaining quality amidst rising prices with the matcha boom in Japan.IG:

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01:25:20

It's all about the References

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/01/31

https://sankomatcha.com/collections/tenchaBuy Tencha References Online (a very humble start of a list! Please forgive us, sourcing tencha is very difficult at the moment): In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) delve into the complexities of matcha and tea tasting, emphasizing the importance of reliable references for building a mental model of flavors. They discuss the balance between transparency in labeling and the enjoyment of tea, the significant role of marketing in perceived quality, and the

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01:03:59

Specialty Matcha in Bangkok with Jev of MTCH™

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/01/22

https://youtu.be/H_hEuvftkrwIn this episode of the Speciality Matcha Podcast, hosts Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) talk with khun Jev of MTCH™ in Bangkok. They delve into the nuances of matcha production, matcha extraction theory, flavor profiles, specialty matcha culture in Thailand. The conversation highlights the evolution of consumer preferences and the importance of transparency and education in building trust with matcha enthusiasts.This episode was recorded in person at the MTCH Ari location in

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01:04:15

2026 Predictions

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2026/01/08

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 the past year. They also share their predictions for the coming year in the matcha industry.

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00:50:16

Global Japanese Tea Association, with Simona Suzuki

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/12/18

In this episode of the Specialty Matcha Podcast, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) interview Simona Suzuki from the Global Japanese Tea Association. They discuss the origins of the association, its mission to connect tea lovers and producers, and the challenges faced by the Japanese tea industry, particularly in light of the recent matcha boom. Simona shares insights on community engagement, education, and the importance of balancing tradition with innovation in tea culture. The conversation highlights the

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00:55:02

2025 Specialty Matcha Podcast AMA

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/12/11

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 can serve as a gateway to other leaf teas, their vision for a tea farm, the importance of sifting matcha, the relevance of best buy dates, and what consumers should ask to ensure they receive high-quality products. Thanks to all the listeners who submitted questions to our first AMA!

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01:32:49

The Matcha Program with Jules Reyes and Marc St Raymond

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/12/04

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 explore the journey of matcha from a niche product to a mainstream beverage, the importance of consumer education, and the challenges of preparing matcha in cafes. The conversation delves into the significance of feedback in shaping matcha programs, the role of marketing in consumer expectations, and the future trends in the matcha industry. They

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01:02:50

Interrogating Chanoyu Narratives with Dr. Rebecca...

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/11/27

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 practice of Japanese tea culture (chanoyu), and early modern Japanese women’s history. Dr. Corbett shares her personal journey into the world of tea and discusses the complexities of gender roles within tea practices. The conversation also touches on the influence of the Urasenke school, the secretive nature of knowledge transmission in Chanoyu,

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01:07:50

We made an interesting discovery

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/11/20

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 face in sourcing high-quality tencha. They explore the unexpected flavor profiles discovered in fresh milled gyokuro and the science behind milling and flavor extraction. The conversation delves into the contradictions within the matcha industry, the power dynamics at play, and the future of specialty matcha.

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01:02:34

The Price of Transparency

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/11/13

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 challenges faced by farmers and brands in sharing sourcing information, the importance of consumer education, and the evolving market dynamics that influence pricing and quality. Ultimately, they envision a future where consumer preferences shape the matcha landscape, leading to a richer and more diverse culture around matcha consumption.

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01:12:38

Matcha Sensory

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/11/06

In this episode, Ryan and Zongjun (Sam) explore matcha through the lens of sensory science, flavor profiling, and quality assessment. They discuss cultural perspectives on taste, the socially-constructed nature of quality assessment, the role of descriptive analysis, and different frameworks for tasting. The episode concludes with comparative tastings examining the effects of temperature and dilution in matcha preparation, differences across matcha blends, and a comparison between two hand-picked,

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01:12:21

An Afternoon with a Chashi

Specialty Matcha Podcast ·

2025/10/30

https://forms.gle/48rLN1nXi6vAC1YF6In this episode, the hosts delve into the intricate world of matcha blending after spending an afternoon with a top-ranked chashi. The conversation covered topics such as new and exciting cultivars, compromises made when blending lower quality tencha, and their options of Chinese matcha which might surprise you!Koto Tea Space / Chajin Life in Bangkok recorded this great video referenced in the episode where they touch on one of the theories behind the

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