You're probably familiar with the New York coffee shop. It's a classic in every sense of the word. But what about the New York matcha shop?
Matchaful is shaking up the java scene by bringing sustainable, organic matcha to the Big Apple. Founded by Hannah Habes, this unique shop offers an elevated tea-drinking experience that's perfect for any time of day.
Matchaful is more than just a place to pick up a cup of tea, though. Hannah is on a mission to spread the gospel of matcha, and she's doing it one cup at a time. If you're looking for a unique and sustainable way to explore New York's cafe scene, be sure to check out Matchaful.
Matchaful is serving up its unique take on matcha lattes and desserts to NYC caffeine lovers every day. If you're looking for a new spot to get your fix, be sure to check out Matchaful next time you're in the area!
What makes Matchaful unique is that it started as a weekly pop-up at Smorgasburg, one of the most popular open-air food markets in Brooklyn. This gave the team at Matchaful the opportunity to perfect their recipes and build a loyal following. And it seems to have paid off: Matchaful has now opened its very own cafés across New York City.
Hannah Habes is the founder and Chief Matcha Officer of Matchaful, a brand that was disrupting the industry by bringing sustainable matcha to New York City.
Matchaful had opened 3 pop-up café concepts in some of the most popular neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and Hannah was looking for new ways to expand her business. She was passionate about her product and loved interacting with her customers, many of whom were becoming regulars.
When it comes to sourcing high-quality matcha, there's no place like Japan. For centuries, matcha has been an important part of Japanese culture. And the farmers who grow this delicate tea are dedicated to preserving its traditions—including sustainable farming practices.
That's why Matchaful partnered with Sugimoto Tea Company, a family-owned business with over 80 years of experience in the tea industry. They source organic matcha from small-scale farms in Japan, and are proud to offer their exceptional ceremonial-grade matcha in the United States.
“I was noticing that there wasn’t really anyone focused on sustainability and transparency in the matcha space, and I realized that I could create a brand that would be a leader in these values,” she says.
And that’s exactly what she’s done. Matchaful sources its single-origin matcha from a fourth-generation family farm in Shizuoka, Japan. The farm uses traditional methods and organic growing practices, and the matcha is stone-ground in the traditional way.
Not only is the matcha at Matchaful sustainably sourced, but all of the café’s packaging is compostable. And in true New York City fashion, the café has found a way to be sustainable even in the face of adversity—when the pandemic hit and the city suspended the rules of the Sidewalk Café Program, Matchaful was able to quickly pivot and open an outdoor café.
For the near future, Matchaful has plans to continue to open up more locations throughout New York City. They're also working on some fun new products, like matcha-infused kombucha and sparkling matcha drinks.
And beyond that? They eventually want to take their model global, and help people all over the world discover the joys of matcha. So whether you're in New York or not, keep an eye out for Matchaful in a town near you.
In a nutshell, Hannah is on a mission to bring sustainable matcha to the people of New York City, and with Matchaful, she's doing just that. Not only is her shop a haven for matcha lovers of all stripes, but it's also a place where people can come to learn more about this amazing tea. Hannah is a true champion of sustainable farming, and she's helping to spread the word about the many benefits of matcha. Thanks for sharing her story, Hannah!