KQED

Matcha Showdown takes a single ingredient and turns it into a deeper look at the culture, craft and creativity behind what we eat and drink. This KQED Live event puts matcha in the spotlight, bringing together local chefs and makers to explore its history, versatility and place in contemporary Bay Area food culture. The evening goes beyond the familiar green tea latte, with tastings that highlight different ways matcha appears in desserts, drinks and culinary traditions. There is also room for conversation around the ingredient itself, from its cultural roots to the challenges shaping its availability today. For anyone who has watched matcha move from specialty shops into everyday menus and wondered what makes it so enduring, this is a chance to dig into the story behind the trend while trying some thoughtful interpretations along the way.