Recently noticed that McDonald's is now offering a Matcha Latte. Lately matcha seems to be everywhere, but never in the context it is supposed to be in. Worse, even, it is more or less wasted on (iced) matcha lattes. Infuencers branded it a super food, apparently oblivious to the fact that tea is really good at sucking up aluminum and lead from the ground and consuming a lot of matcha isn't the best idea. Money is being made. A lot of it. Fantastic.
People get cancelled for wearing dreads or buying traditional Chinese gowns for proms, but buying the basis of a time-honored Japanese tradition (their tea ceremony) to the point where matcha is getting sparse in Japan is fine. Clearly not cultural appropriation, but appreciation. Yep. Whatever.