I have a confession.
I am slightly tired of seeing matcha everywhere.
Not because I dislike matcha. In fact, I drink it quite often. But there is something amusing about watching a humble tea become the centre of every café menu, wellness conversation, and social media trend.
Matcha has gone from a traditional Japanese tea to a global personality.
It is now a latte. A dessert. A smoothie. A soft serve flavour. A lifestyle choice.
Somewhere along the way, matcha stopped being just something we drink and became something we identify with.
And honestly, I understand why.
There is something beautiful about matcha. The colour alone draws you in. The preparation feels intentional. The taste is unlike most other teas, with its earthy bitterness, gentle sweetness, and unmistakable character.
But I sometimes wonder if we have taken the trend a little too far.
Today, matcha is often treated as though it can do everything. It is the drink for focus. The drink for wellness. The drink for productivity. The drink that somehow makes your morning routine look more put together.
Sometimes I think we have forgotten that matcha is still just tea.
A wonderful tea, but still tea.
I have had incredible matcha experiences. The kind where the flavour feels balanced and the preparation feels almost meditative. I have also had matcha drinks where the tea itself was buried under sugar, milk, and toppings until the original character disappeared completely.
And perhaps that is where the conversation becomes interesting.
Does enjoying modern matcha drinks take away from its tradition?
I don’t think so.
Tea has always changed as it travels. Different cultures have adapted tea to their own preferences. Adding milk, sugar, spices, or new preparation methods is not something new. It is part of how tea survives.
The concern is not that matcha has evolved.
The concern is whether we still remember where it came from.
Behind every bright green latte is a tea with history. There are farmers who cultivate the leaves carefully. There are traditions that treat matcha preparation as an act of attention and respect.
Knowing that does not mean we cannot enjoy a matcha dessert or an iced matcha latte.
It simply means we can appreciate both versions.
The traditional and the modern.
The quiet tea room and the busy café counter.
The carefully whisked bowl of matcha and the drink we pick up on the way to work.
Maybe the real problem is not that matcha became popular.
Maybe the problem is when we stop being curious about why we loved it in the first place.
So yes, I think the matcha hype has gone a little too far.
And yes, I will probably still order a matcha latte tomorrow.
Because sometimes enjoying tea also means accepting that we are allowed to love it in imperfect ways.
— Maria Tan
On tea, culture, and everyday rituals.
Why Tea Shops Always Feel Slightly Different From Cafés
I’ve noticed something interesting over the years. People behave differently in tea shops. Not dramatically different, of course. No one suddenly becomes wiser the moment tea is poured. But the atmosphere tends to shift in subtle ways. Conversations slow down. Phones appear less often. Even silence feels more comfortable somehow. Tea shops carry a different…
-
High Tea Halal Singapore: Elegant and Inclusive Dining Experiences
There is something deeply comforting about slowing down for tea in Singapore. In a city that moves quickly, afternoon tea offers a rare excuse to pause for a few quiet hours over warm pots of tea, delicate pastries, and long conversations that linger far beyond the last bite. Yet finding a halal high tea experience…
Why Oolong Tea Always Feels Slightly Mysterious
Oolong tea never feels entirely straightforward. Green tea usually introduces itself immediately. Black tea does the same. You understand them quickly. One feels fresh and bright. The other feels deep and familiar. But oolong tends to sit somewhere in between. Not fully green. Not fully black. Not always easy to describe. Perhaps that is part…
-
Benefits of Black Tea: Why This Everyday Drink Still Matters
For many people, black tea is simply part of a routine. It is the first thing brewed in the morning, poured during afternoon tea, or enjoyed quietly at the end of a long day. Familiarity often makes it easy to overlook, but the benefits of black tea extend far beyond comfort or habit. In the…
-
Why Tea Somehow Tastes Better on Rainy Days
I don’t know when I first started believing this, but tea genuinely feels different when it rains. Not scientifically different, of course. The leaves do not magically change because of the weather. And yet somehow, a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon feels softer, warmer, maybe even a little more comforting than usual. Just…
Brew, Sip, Heal: The Powerful Chamomile Tea Benefits Explained
Singapore is a city that rarely stops moving. Between the hum of the MRT, the endless glow of screens, and the heavy humidity that clings to the air, finding a moment to genuinely wind down can feel like a luxury. For the longest time, my evening routine consisted of scrolling through my phone while finishing…
-
Why Tea Feels Different at Night
Tea changes after dark. The same leaves, brewed in the same pot, somehow feel quieter in the evening. The aroma lingers longer. The warmth of the cup feels more noticeable in the hands. Even conversation seems to soften slightly around tea at night. Perhaps it is because the world itself becomes quieter. During the day,…
Tea Health Benefits: Best Teas for Relaxation, Focus, and Sleep
Tea is one of the world’s most beloved drinks, enjoyed every day across countless cultures. When we talk about tea health benefits, it’s helpful to know the difference between true tea and herbal infusions. True tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, giving us popular varieties like green, black, white, and oolong tea. On the…
The Secret Joy of a Simple Cup of Tea
There’s something so deeply satisfying about a cup of tea-especially when it’s the simplest cup. No complicated brewing methods. No fancy leaves. Just tea, water, and a moment of quiet. I’ve had tea in many places, from grand tea houses to humble kitchen counters. But the most memorable tea moments often happen in the least…
-
A Quiet Tea Café in Somerset: Inside the Experience at Hvala
Amid Singapore’s bustling shopping hubs like Orchard, Club Street, and Tanjong Pagar, finding a peaceful spot to unwind can be a challenge. Hvala, a minimalist tea cafe Singapore locals and visitors adore, offers a serene teahouse experience brimming with natural light and calm vibes. Located on the ground floor of 111 Somerset, this bright, inviting…
