Indie Green Tea Purveyor Matcha Source Opens Chic, Niche Boutique in West Hollywood

Savvy shoppers can indulge in green tea essentials, sweet treats, and other finds

Matcha Source
8036 West 3rd St
East of Crescent Heights
Los Angeles, CA 90048
310 845 9392

LOS ANGELES (November 22, 2011)—Matcha Source—the independent purveyor of premium matcha, the antioxidant-packed, powdered green tea from Japan—is pleased to announce the opening of its first retail location (8036 W. 3rd Street; 310 845 9392) nestled in West Hollywood’s popular walking district. Joining a host of stylish neighbors like South Willard, Trina Turk, and Suzanne Goin's AOC restaurant, the Matcha Source boutique helps to up the neighborhood’s cultural cred with its sought-after line of matcha and other essentials for green tea-craving Angelenos as well as a tastefully curated assortment of small personal indulgences from chocolates to imported Japanese tabi socks. More than just a typical retail venue, the multipurpose space also offers tea tastings and demonstrations and serves as a stylish launch point for the company’s exuberant matcha manifesto of creating America’s first generation of matcha drinkers.

“After meeting so many enthusiastic customers online, it’s so exciting to be bringing matcha to the streets of L.A.,” says Alissa White, Matcha Source’s founder and owner. “At the store, we get to introduce all kinds of people to matcha and all the other things we love.” 
Matcha, of course, is the leading act in this chic, niche boutique. Matcha Source offers different varieties of the prized, stoneground green tea from Japan’s Nishio region for both traditional preparation in a tea bowl and more contemporary uses like smoothies and confectionaries. Unlike most green teas or other tea varieties, matcha offers a far greater abundance of antioxidants, vitamins and other healthful components because the entire leaf is consumed. (Steeping only extracts a fraction of green tea’s benefits, in comparison!) And because the leaves used for matcha are meticulously shade-grown, they are particularly rich in the rare amino acid L-Theanine, which promotes calm, relaxation, and concentration. Aficionados and tea masters-to-be should opt for Kama Matcha, Matcha Source’s superior, tea ceremony-grade offering, says White. With education as a key part of Matcha Source’s mission, White and staff are always on hand to personally show shoppers how to whip up a bowl of matcha with a handmade bamboo whisk and help them select authentic matcha accoutrements.

At the same time, White encourages matcha fans to find their own ways to prepare their favorite powdered green tea. White therefore keeps the store stocked with creative tools like martini shakers for iced matcha and milk frothers for that much-needed matcha latte. For their daily green tea fix, matcha drinkers can pick up a few canisters of Morning Matcha. Gotcha Matcha is the company’s recommended choice for smoothies and a variety of treats like matcha truffles, White’s personal favorite whose recipe she shares online. Those wanting to share the gift of matcha need to look no further than Matcha Source’s exclusive Matcha FOCUS Tea Set, which includes everything needed to make matcha for two. But White envisions matcha as just one part of a way of life.

“Matcha is about taking out time for yourself to recharge,” explains White. “It made perfect sense then for the boutique to feature other unique products that help make life a little more special.”

In that spirit, White has personally handpicked a range of small personal indulgences to treat oneself or, even better, family, friends, or that special someone. On the sweeter side are ChocoVivo chocolates bars and individually wrapped Phlip ‘N’ Nick brownies with baked-in marshmallows, both of which serve as a great accompaniment to matcha’s robust flavor. To complete the tea experience, the store also carries select Japanese loose leaf green teas—the precious Gyokuro and flavorful Karigane Kukicha—made from shade-grown tea leaves like matcha. For steeping these premium teas, the store carries porcelain gaiwans, which are used in Asia to bring out green teas’ best flavor. For a tea experience beautiful for the eyes as well, there are tea trays and linen towels from Fog Linen.

To appeal to all the senses, the boutique also features garments that cater especially to the sense of touch. Crafted from long-lasting, mercerized cotton, Hanro of Switzerland undergarments for men and women are amazing to feel and wear. And in a nod to matcha’s Japanese pedigree, the boutique will soon offer traditional tabi socks from Sou Sou, great for keeping warm in cooler months. Other unique products at Matcha Source include Nature’s Agave syrups made from the agave cactus, grow-your-own mushroom kits, tea books, and, in the near future, letterpress cards. For more information on Matcha Source, contact Alissa White at 310 845 9392 x2 or at alissa@matchasource.com.

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Matcha Source was founded in 2006 by Alissa White to bring the word of matcha to the country. Since then, the company has shared matcha with customers all over the United States. Matcha Source sources its matcha from Japan’s prestigious Nishio region and offers different varieties of matcha ideal for the tea ceremony, everyday drinking, smoothies, and even cooking. The company offers matcha and other products both online and at its retail boutique in West Hollywood, California. For more information, visit matchasource.com.

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