MATCHA FREAKS — Yesterday we were informed by our matcha producer that our shipment in transit ( a VERY crucial inventory replenishment) that was traveling from Japan to us Portland, OR was caught in customs due to the severe tariffs increase and change in customs regulation standards that were enacted by the American President on Monday.

Hello Matcha Freaks! 💚

I am writing to you from Kyoto, where I have been staying for the past few days after spending time with our production partners in Ise and Yokkaichi City!

Hi all! It’s Katy, the founder and operator of Matcha Freak.

I hope that you all are having a wonderful start to 2025 and are taking the time to dream about where you want to go and what you want to accomplish this year. Over here at Matcha Freak, I am currently putting together lists of cities that I want to visit. First on the list is Ise, Japan!

In 8 short days, I will be getting on a plane to Nagoa, Japan where I will then travel to Ise to spend a few days with Gen, our Production Partner. Gen’s family owns a tea production house that sources leaves from many small farmers in the Ise area.

To me, matcha-making has the same magical vibe.

I love taking time from my day to slow down and be present with myself or with whomever I am making it for. I find the feeling of potential in that deep inhale filled with the umami scent of the matcha blooming with the first few whisks into the warm water. And I love, love, love sharing it with my fellow freaks.

It’s why I do this. I do it because I know that there are matcha freaks all over the US sipping the same wild tea — and maybe it inspires them to be hopeful, creative, present, and filled with a lil’ joy despite it all.

And it is with that in mind, that I created our first Matcha Freak Playlist.

Officially titled The Freak-A-Leak… this is where we plan on leaking all the matcha hot gossip, fav recipes & matcha biz news announcements. Oh and also sharing things like playlists, collabs, and the freaky things we get up to.