Moo Deng
Google
Kettl has truly earned its place as a pioneer in bringing high-quality Japanese green tea to the U.S. As someone who’s been passionate about matcha and sencha for years, I genuinely appreciate the effort they’ve put into not only sourcing premium teas like matcha, sencha, and gyokuro, but also in educating the American public on the depth and nuance of these traditions. I’ve taken two classes at their Brooklyn location—one on matcha, one on green tea—and both were absolutely excellent. A huge shoutout to their tea educator, Armando, who is an exceptional teacher. He has a rare ability to break down complex information in a way that’s both accessible and inspiring—an absolute gem in the world of specialty tea.
That said, I do have a few critiques. First, the price point of many of their teas and teaware is staggeringly high. While I respect the quality, it’s hard not to raise an eyebrow at $500 matcha bowls or $1,000 tea ware. It risks alienating a broader community of tea lovers and gives the space a somewhat exclusive, almost snobbish air. Beautiful craftsmanship shouldn’t come at the cost of accessibility.
Second, the café experience itself is a bit lacking. The seating is limited and not particularly inviting, and there’s minimal room for drink customization. I completely understand the purist approach when it comes to showcasing the tea, but once it becomes a latte, there should be an option to add a touch of sweetness—honey, maple syrup, anything—to make it more approachable for a wider audience.
Lastly, and this is minor, but during the class we were served a cookie that was noticeably underbaked and tasted more like raw dough than a finished treat. A small detail, but worth mentioning.
All in all, I respect Kettl tremendously for what it represents in the tea world. With a few tweaks in accessibility and hospitality, it could truly be an even more welcoming bridge between Japan’s tea culture and American tea drinkers.