The Story Behind My First Matcha
The number of people practicing tea ceremony in Japan has declined significantly over the past few decades.
According to Japan's Survey on Time Use and Leisure Activities (conducted by the Statistics Bureau of Japan), the number of people who practice tea ceremony as a hobby fell from approximately 1.76 million in 2016 to about 920,000 in 2021. The tea ceremony community is also aging, with people in their sixties and older accounting for more than 40% of practitioners.
Meanwhile, a different trend is emerging overseas. In cities such as New York and London, more cafés are serving matcha, and it is increasingly enjoyed as an everyday beverage. At the same time, the experience of whisking matcha with a bamboo whisk is being embraced as part of a modern wellness lifestyle and a growing interest in Japanese culture.
Since its founding, WACHA has been dedicated to connecting traditional Japanese culture with modern everyday life.
Through our markets and pop-up events, we discovered something unexpected:
Children are far more open to matcha and Japanese tea culture than most adults imagine.
At one event, a little girl sampled our botanical matcha and immediately asked,
"Can I have another cup?"
WACHA Botanical Matcha contains no artificial colors, flavors, or additives. Its smooth, gentle taste makes it approachable for first-time matcha drinkers—including children.
We've also heard from families whose children loved WACHA so much that they began whisking matcha at home every day. Some even told us it inspired their children to start learning traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
One bowl of matcha can become a child's first doorway into Japanese culture.
We believe that even a small experience like this can help pass an important tradition on to the next generation.
That belief is what led us to develop My First Matcha.
What's Inside
- 1 bamboo mini nodate whisk (chasen)
- 1 lightweight, durable Japanese synthetic lacquerware bowl (PET resin with urethane coating / microwave & dishwasher safe)
- 3 botanical matcha sticks (Green, Blue & Red — 2 g each)
- My First Matcha illustrated mini guide (English edition also available)
- Jungle-animal gift box with full interior artwork
Blue and Red are naturally caffeine-free, making them easy for children to enjoy.
(Green Matcha contains caffeine. All three flavors contain peach. Please avoid if you have a peach allergy.)
Once your child discovers a favorite flavor, you can simply refill it with our full-size matcha tins—there's no need to replace the whisk or bowl.
The bowl is designed not only for matcha but also for everyday use, whether serving fruit, snacks, or small side dishes.
One bowl of matcha can become a child's first step into Japanese culture.
We hope to share that first step with as many families as possible.
That is WACHA's wish.