Matcha—it’s practically everywhere! All over social media, creators mix the green powder into lattes, pastries, and more. The process of making the tea is tedious, requiring drinkers to vigorously whisk matcha powder into hot water until dissolved. In an attempt to simplify the task, a company named Poda has created matcha in a squeeze tube. While this in itself is not controversial, what has caused a stir online is how it was marketed.
The video starts with the creator, Mujtaba Waseem, stating that most matcha is “made in China.” While this type of tea is predominantly associated with Japan, China is the world’s leading producer of tea. Moreover, many noticed he made it seem as though the tea being made in China was a bad thing. Sinophobia is certainly not new to the Chinese experience—while K-pop from Korea and anime from Japan are welcomed, Americans often approach Chinese culture with more wariness.
Next, Waseem addresses the whisk and bowls sitting before him, dismissing the tools as “crap.” The equipment is known to be a part of traditional tea ceremony; his treating Japanese culture by commodifying it without paying homage to the significance, has not gone over well with a lot of people. In erasing an important aspect of matcha, Waseem’s advertising has backfired. While he could have marketed the paste as a more convenient version for people on the go or with dexterity disabilities, his lack of respect for the culture has left many promising never to try Poda.