Matcha Alternatives: Affordable Japanese Green Teas for the 2026 Matcha Shortage
The best matcha alternatives in the 2026 shortage: autumn bancha, hojicha and Kagoshima sencha, at 50 cents to $1.60 a cup. Taste, brewing and where to buy.
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Knowledge | News | Tea history
Tea vs Cha: Why the World Says Tea, Cha or Chai (Map)
First published September 2018. Updated October 2026 with a new map, the story behind each word, the exceptions, and books for going further. Tea and cha are the same word. Both come from the Chinese character 茶, which is pronounced te in the Min Nan dialect of coastal Fujian and cha in Mandarin and Cantonese….
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Tea News That Caught My Attention–Calendar Week 5
The National Hot Tea Month is coming to an end. I stumbled upon some very nice tea related articles this month and this week isn’t an exception. So let’s get straight to the selection of this week, as usual in my order of preference: USA: In China’s City of Yixing, Everyone Is Fluent in Pottery (I…
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Tea Culture Stories From Around the World
Lately, I’ve still been reaching for familiar teas during busy weeks. I’m currently finishing a stash of Earl Grey that I buy in bulk from Oriental Pastry & Grocery on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. I always enjoy stopping there for raw almonds, cardamom seeds, tea, and pantry staples. The two brothers who run the shop…
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Where to Buy Authentic Japanese Matcha Online
My current list of where to buy genuine Japanese matcha online
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Places Where I Tried Matcha in New York City (Updated 2026)
Matcha in NYC has changed dramatically since 2015. A 10-year field review of cafés, closures, new openings, matcha quality, sourcing, and the rise of wellness culture in New York City.
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Humble Tea Leaf: How it all started!
How I started tea blogging. From working at a Chinese Television to Tea Blogging
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ITO EN Sencha Shot Review (and the Oolong Shot)
ITO EN Sencha Shot is an unsweetened Japanese green tea in a 6.4 oz can with about 40 mg of caffeine. How it tastes and what is in it.
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Kawanecha Meicha by Mariages Frères
Updated with current notes from Mariage Frères (2026) Kawanecha Meicha is a Japanese green tea from Mariage Frères. I first discovered it in Paris at the boutique near Place des Ternes on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The shop felt elegant, quiet, and welcoming. The aroma of tea filled every room. It quickly became one of…
