Sanae and Matcha Mania - Chado Tea House Newsletter february 2026

Matcha-Mania and Sanae-Mania.

We are almost scared to say it, but hello from a spring-like Vancouver. According to the weatherman on TV today, this is the first winter in 47 years with no snow in Vancouver.

We know how bad the weather is elsewhere, so let's quickly move on.

Japan has a new prime minister.  Sanae Takaichi is Japan's new PM. She is the country's first female PM.

Some young Japanese people are very enamored with her and copy her haircut and other looks. On social media, this is referred to as Sanakatsu” (サナ活) or Sanae-mania.

As someone who grew up in England when we got our first female PM - Margaret Thatcher, whom Sanae Takaichi is often compared to and has expressed admiration for - I hope she does better for Japan than 'Maggie' did for the UK - admittedly, I am a bit biased.

What is happening with Matcha?

Is the Matcha Craze dying out? For many months now, we have been warning about Matcha shortages. Only last month, we were telling you that the Matcha train was still hurtling down the track

Well, we're starting to wonder if the craze for Matcha is dying down a bit.

There is still lots of demand for Matcha. Two new Matcha cafes opened near us in Vancouver just this month. So demand is still high, but supply is now easier for us to get.

There are a few reasons for this. For one, many farmers have switched from growing tea for Sencha to growing tea destined for Matcha production. Second, wholesale Matcha prices are increasing.

The bottom line for us is that we can get Matcha (see below), but prices are higher, and our suppliers have less of our other teas. Organic teas, like our organic senchas, which we have been selling for many years, are in shorter supply.

Statistics from Japan show that Matcha exports are still going through the roof, but in our experience, we are finding it easier to get it than we have in a long time, so we have plenty of stock!

A mesmerizing sight if you get the chance. Matcha factories are allowing visits more than in the past; try to visit one if you're in Japan.

New Matcha

We have a new Matcha for you. We haven't added a new matcha for many years. As the supply of our existing products became tight, we looked for a good alternative. We tried many teas and chose this Matcha from Shizuoka to complement our existing selection.

This ceremonial-grade Matcha HARUNO is made from a single cultivar, “Okumidori".

The tea cultivar Okumidori translates to 'deep green'. Its defining feature is a rich, deep green color, true to its name, and it has a refreshing, unobtrusive aroma, mellow sweetness, and rich umami flavor.

Ceremonial-grade Matcha in a bulk aluminum resealable package.

This matcha shines in your traditional bowl of Matcha, a Usucha serving, or a tasty matcha latte.

A good source of L-theanine and natural caffeine.

Blossom of a Different Hue

As Spring approaches, regular readers know it's only a matter of time before we start talking about cherry blossoms.

But before the cherry blossom arrives, there is a chance to see the plum blossom. Mito in the northern region of Japan, in Ibaraki Prefecture, is the plum blossom hotspot.

The city of Mito, a few hours outside Tokyo, has about 3000 plum trees and a festival going back over a hundred years, celebrating this early glimpse of the colorful spring on its way in.

This is a well-attended festival, with lots of activities and food vendors to keep you happy as you tour the gardens. A favorite is umeshu, plum wine - be careful, though; it goes down easy but packs quite a punch.

The 130th Mito Plum Blossom Festival, February-March 2026

If your budget can't stretch to a Japan trip right now, try the next best thing - Egg Sandwiches.

We have mentioned Seven-Eleven in Japan before. Every tourist we have spoken to who has been to Japan mentions Seven-Eleven. They are everywhere and are really handy for just about whatever you are looking for.

They tend to offer good-quality food at a good price. One of the big sellers is egg sandwiches on white bread. Now you can try one at a 7-Eleven near you. The companies, or rather, several companies that share the name and operate in different countries, are releasing the famous egg sandwich in the US and Canada.

So if you yearn for a taste of Japan, just head down to your local convenience store and pick one up.

US Tariff Update

For US customers, a Supreme Court ruling issued on 20th February changed the tariffs on goods entering the US. For the last several months, goods from Japan have been subject to a 15% tariff. The duty rate has changed to 10%, but is expected to increase to 15% soon. We are working with each platform to ensure shipments meet import requirements and enter the United States smoothly. During the tax rate transition period, we will review billing details again after order processing is complete and issue individual refunds for any overpayments. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.