As matcha continues to dominate in beverage popularity, most are starting to wonder where to find the ideal matcha drink in the metro. There are already several cafes and restaurants offering matcha, but what if the matcha craze came to your neighborhood instead? That’s exactly what the Matcha and Hojicha Collective pulled off recently at the Eastwood Central Park.

Settled within the center of the township, several matcha and hojicha merchants from different parts of Metro gathered together to spread the matcha love. Included in the lineup were Block 6 Cafe, Cali Matcha, Days Off Space, Do Güd Cafe, Jamie’s Matcha, Klub Kame, No Doze, and Nuki Nuki.

With so many to choose from, we eventually settled on trying out the Magic Matcha pop-up exclusive drink by Block 6 Cafe. Upon observing how the drink is made, you can tell the crew knows exactly what they’re dealing with. They move swiftly and use precise measurements to ensure the drink is of good quality.

Magic Matcha offers a mix of Filipino and Japanese flavors, as the matcha powder is mixed with magic water. Magic water, for the uninitiated, is a sweetened type of water that makes use of water, gulaman, sugar, and banana extract to create a sweet, refreshing drink. When mixed with matcha, it adds an earthiness to it that helps balance the sweetness. It’s certainly a good way to cool down on a hot day. You’ll best enjoy the Magic Matcha by also pairing it with either a sweet treat like brownies or a savory pastry.

Aside from the matcha-themed food and drinks, some stalls also offered vintage clothes and trinkets. There were secondhand luxury brands being sold at a bargain. Some art booths also sold stickers, charms, and mini plushes for accessorizing. This helps bring even non-matcha drinkers to the mix.