Matcha! It’s everywhere and, like that surprise dog filter on your best friend’s selfie, it’s sparking curiosity across Cape Town and the rest of Mzansi.
The wellness supplement phenomenon has recently burst onto our shores, leaving many locals scratching their heads - what exactly is matcha, and how on earth do you pronounce it?
Fear not, dear reader, you’re not alone in your confusion.
Digital content creator Kuhle Sonkosi (@kookie_kuhle) felt the pressure of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) as he prepared for his journey to Cape Town.
Taking to Instagram with an urgent plea, he asked, “Guys, I’m going to Cape Town tomorrow and I just want to know, what is matcha? Is it matcha? Is it Martha? Is it maga? What is it?”
His bewilderment echoed that of many who find themselves faced with the trend of powdered green tea - a beverage that locals are suddenly more eager to sip than a classic rooibos tea.
With South Africa's rich tapestry of languages, Sonkosi's query about the pronunciation resonated deeply, leading him to muse, “I thought it was green tea, and now people are having it in smoothies and everything.
Is it mageu? Is it a private school mageu? What is matcha, guys? I don’t want to get there and be lost!”
However, the internet, a treasure trove of amusement and absurdity, quickly came to his rescue - albeit in the most hilariously strange ways.
@ambzjones declared, “You first have to go for a run on the Sea Point prom before you are allowed to say the word 👀.”
Another user, @keeping_up_with_koovers, quipped, “Blended grass on ice 🧊.”
Elevating the whimsy, @johane_du_toit chimed in, “Visit Japan and you’ll know. They even put it in their KitKats.”
Meanwhile, @sa_hoffman offered a rather unusual description, stating, “It's dried spinach mixed with freshly mowed lawn.... 😒😒😒.”
For the uninitiated, matcha is a finely ground powder made from specially grown tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, similar to standard green tea but with a higher level of antioxidants and vigour-inducing properties.
Traditionally cherished in Japanese tea ceremonies, matcha involves a meticulous preparation of whisking the powder into hot water, resulting in a frothy, vibrant drink that has since infiltrated beverages like lattes and boba tea, not to mention pastries and cakes.