SPILL THE OCHA

jfoodogreenteaus

Welcome to SPILL THE OCHA, presented by JFOODO. This podcast invites you into the world of Japanese green tea—its stories, traditions, and all the surprising facts you’ll want to share with your friends the next day.

🍵 ABOUT US
JFOODO (The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) was established by the Japanese government in 2017 as part of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) with the aim of boosting the export of Japanese agricultural, forestry, fishery and food products by branding them and promoting them widely around the world.

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9 episodes
Avg 11 min
English

Episodes 9

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S1 · E8
January 26 · 17 min
Spilling the Final Ocha: What We Learned from Japan’s Tea Fields to L.A.’s Tea Scene
In the final episode of Spill the Ocha, Remy and Zach look back on the entire series — from visiting tea farms in Japan to seeing Japanese green tea evolve abroad. They revisit standout moments in Mie, reflect on how producers view global matcha trends with surprising openness, and talk about why tradition matters even as innovation accelerates. The conversation also explores tea as a full sensory experience — from café culture and design to sweetness levels, wagashi pairings, and what Japan does differently. A closing meditation on quality, curiosity, and why Japanese green tea still has so much more to reveal.
S1 · E7
January 19 · 20 min
Hojicha After Hours: Reflecting on the Workshop and Discovering Japan’s Roasted Tea
Recorded after the L.A. workshop at Zach’s office, this episode is a relaxed reflection on the day — and a deep dive into hojicha. Remy, Zach, and Alyssa talk about what makes this roasted green tea unique, from its toasty aroma and low caffeine to its role in Japanese hospitality and everyday life. They explore why hojicha pairs so well with food, sweets, and lattes, and why it may be the perfect alternative to matcha, especially in the evening. A conversation about ritual, sustainability, and how hojicha might be the next tea to watch.
S1 · E6
January 12 · 14 min
Matcha in L.A.: Memory, Wellness, and the Next Wave of Japanese Green Tea
Recorded at a Japanese green tea workshop in Los Angeles, this episode explores how matcha is experienced today — from personal memory to daily ritual. Remy shares how her grandmother’s tea shaped her relationship with matcha and led her to start her own brand, Fra. Guest Alyssa talks about wellness, beauty, and why matcha became part of her everyday life. Workshop host Zach adds scientific insight into cultivation, L-theanine, and why matcha is entering a more mature phase. A conversation about taste, terroir, and what quality really means.
S1 · E5
January 5 · 13 min
Cafe Hopping: Exploring Hojicha Blends at SOUEN in Setagaya
Remy visits Soen, a quiet tea boutique in Tokyo’s Setagaya ward, to explore a new side of hojicha. Known for its tea-blending approach, Souen creates elegant hojicha by combining different tea varieties, seasonal ingredients, and spices, resulting in layered aromas and unexpected flavors. Through a relaxed conversation with Imamura-san, Remy learns about brewing techniques, temperature choices, and the philosophy of enjoying tea as part of everyday life. Paired with handmade sweets, this episode reveals how hojicha is being reimagined as a refined yet accessible expression of modern Japanese tea culture.
S1 · E4
Dec 29, 2025 · 14 min
Cafe Hopping: Discovering Matcha Rituals at Jugetsudo in Ginza
Remy goes cafe hopping in Ginza to explore the mindful world of Japanese green tea. Visiting Jugetsudo inside Kabukiza Tower, she learns how to prepare matcha with care—from measuring the powder and whisking with a bamboo chasen to enjoying aroma, texture, and seasonal sweets. Rather than focusing on formality, the episode shows matcha as something approachable and adaptable to everyday life, while still rooted in respect and calm. It also touches on how Japanese tea culture continues to travel and evolve globally, inviting listeners to slow down and try making matcha in their own way.
S1 · E3
Dec 22, 2025 · 8 min
Tea Journey : interviewed with Hagimura Seicha part2/2
Remy visits Hagimura Seicha in Mie Prefecture to explore how Japanese green tea transforms from fresh leaves into matcha. Guided by Hagimura-san inside the factory, she learns about tencha, the shading process, and why traditional stone milling creates superior flavor, aroma, and color. With each mill producing only around 40g of matcha per hour, the craft is slow, careful, and deeply rooted in tradition. Remy then tastes freshly prepared usucha in the tea room — rich, umami-forward, and beautifully smooth. A story of patience, technique, and true matcha excellence.
S1 · E2
Dec 15, 2025 · 9 min
Tea Journey : interviewed with Hagimura Seicha part1/2
Remy travels to Mie Prefecture, where endless rows of tea bushes sway under the Suzuka mountains. At Hagimura Seicha, she meets third-generation farmer Hagimura-san and learns how climate, water, and soil breathe life into kabusecha and matcha. They dive into the beauty of shaded cultivation, the sweetness and umami it creates, and why organic production isn’t always simple. In the fields, surrounded by fresh leaves and quiet wind, Remy discovers not only how tea grows — but why it matters. A gentle, heartfelt journey into Japanese tea, told from the farm where it begins.
S1 · E1
Dec 8, 2025 · 5 min
Discovering the World of Japanese Green Tea
This podcast explores and unravels the world of Japanese green tea, sharing intriguing stories and fun facts you’ll want to tell your friends about. Hosted by Remy and presented by JFOODO, SPILL THE OCHA invites listeners to discover what makes Japanese tea special — its culture, craftsmanship, and the people behind it. From visiting tea farms in Japan to hosting workshops in L.A., we dive into matcha’s growing global presence and the beauty of tea tradition. Brew a cup, relax, and join us as we spill the ocha together.
Dec 5, 2025 · 24 sec
Welcome to SPILL THE OCHA
SPILL THE OCHA invites you to explore Japanese green tea culture with curiosity and joy — from everyday knowledge to behind-the-scenes stories that deepen every sip. Whether you’re a tea lover or new to ocha, grab a cup, relax, and join us for a journey into the world of Japanese green tea. Follow us on Instagram for updates, and enjoy each episode as we SPILL THE OCHA together.

Showing 1–9 of 9 episodes