On social media, there is always a new matcha, hojicha powder, or piece of teaware being enthusiastically recommended. When we see so many people sharing their experiences, making recommendations, and rushing to buy these products, it is only natural to become curious and wonder what makes them so special.
But sometimes, it is worth asking ourselves:
Without all these trending recommendations online, would we still enjoy making and drinking tea just as much?
If Everyone Says It Tastes Good, Does That Mean It Is Right for You?
Sometimes, when you finally get the chance to try a famous matcha that has been widely recommended online, you prepare it with high expectations, only to find that its actual taste is quite different from how it was described on social media.
What would your first reaction be?
Would you start wondering whether you had prepared it incorrectly? Was the water temperature wrong? Was the tea-to-water ratio off? Or perhaps your palate was not refined enough to appreciate this matcha?
Even though you are experiencing the taste for yourself, seeing so many positive reviews online can make you question your own judgement.
But the truth is, the flavours others enjoy may not be the flavours you enjoy. Even a highly acclaimed tea may not suit everyone's palate.
Brewing methods, water temperature, and tea-to-water ratios can all affect how a tea tastes. At the same time, everyone has their own preferences and experiences of flavour.
If you try a tea and find that it does not suit your taste as much as you expected, there is no need to force yourself to like it. There is no need to deny your own experience just to agree with other people's opinions.
But if we look a little deeper, what are these positive reviews actually based on?
When a tea is described as “delicious” or even promoted as a must-try that you would regret missing out on, what standards are being used to judge it? Are people evaluating its aroma, umami, sweetness, and astringency? Or is it simply because of its vibrant green colour, how well it works in lattes or desserts, or the popularity of the brand itself?
Everyone has their own understanding of tea, tasting experiences, and ways of evaluating it.
Even when a recommendation is shared sincerely, it may not fully reflect the characteristics of a tea, nor does it mean that the same judgement will apply to everyone.
Other people's opinions can be a useful starting point for discovering a tea, but they should not be the only standard by which we judge its quality.
Rather than deciding whether a tea is worth buying based solely on social media reviews, why not try different teas for yourself, explore their individual flavours and characteristics, and gradually discover what you truly enjoy?
Whether it is matcha or hojicha powder, a brand being highly praised does not necessarily mean it is the right choice for your palate.
The same goes for teaware. We may be drawn to a piece because of its design, texture, or craftsmanship. Or perhaps we simply enjoy using it because it feels comfortable in our hands and makes every tea-making session a little more enjoyable.
You do not have to choose the most popular design or follow the brands everyone else admires.
When the same product keeps appearing on our feeds, it is easy to associate “everyone loves it” with “I should love it too”. Seeing others own it may make us wonder whether we need one ourselves. Seeing others recommend it may leave us worrying that we are missing out on something.
But while keeping up with popular products, perhaps we can also leave a little room for our own preferences.
It may be worth asking ourselves:
If I had never seen those recommendations, would I still be interested in this product?
If nobody had told me it tasted good, would I still enjoy its flavour?
If I already own a piece of teaware that I love, do I really need another one?
There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and we do not need to question every purchase we make. Rather, they are gentle reminders to stay connected to what we genuinely like and what we actually need, even amid all the opinions around us.
Understanding Our Own Preferences Matters More Than Following Trends
After all, enjoying tea can be a simple pleasure.
A tea we love, a piece of teaware we enjoy using, and a little time to slow down are often all we need to enjoy the experience.
We do not need to own every trending matcha, nor should we feel that our tea table is somehow incomplete just because we do not have a particular piece of popular teaware.
The joy of tea should be about more than chasing trends.
Discovering tea can begin with other people's recommendations. Appreciating teaware can begin with admiring someone else's collection.
Trends on social media come and go, but the teas we genuinely enjoy do not need everyone's approval.
Rather than chasing every popular product, take your time to explore, discover your own preferences, and find the teas that truly suit you and bring you joy.
