Premium Matcha from Japan's Uji & Kyoto Regions
Bringing authentic ceremonial-grade matcha to Texas's underserved wholesale market through direct relationships with traditional Japanese tea masters
The US matcha market is growing at 7-8% annually, reaching $1.2B in 2024. Texas represents a massive underserved opportunity with only 4 dedicated wholesalers and zero presence in Austin or San Antonio.
A single matcha latte costs cafes $0.25-$0.50 in powder but sells for $6.97 on average—a 90-96% profit margin. A cafe selling just 50 lattes per day generates $127,200 in annual revenue with only $2,610-$7,363 in powder costs. It's their highest-margin beverage.
✓ Austin: Zero dedicated matcha wholesalers despite strong cafe culture
✓ San Antonio: Completely unserved market with 1.4M population
✓ Houston & Dallas: Only 2 competitors each, room for premium positioning
✓ Ceremonial grade growing fastest at 8.12% CAGR
✓ 62% of consumers prefer organic options
✓ Online foodservice wholesale growing at 7.56% annually
✓ Most competitors hide pricing behind quotes—transparency wins
We're launching with a legally compliant, low-risk distributor model that requires minimal capital and achieves profitability in 90 days, then scaling to private label as we grow.
Months 1-3 | $6.5K-8K Capital
Import pre-packaged matcha from Japanese suppliers, add our branded labels, and distribute to Texas cafes and tea shops. No FDA facility registration required—we're a distributor, not a manufacturer.
Months 4-6 | Scale with Profits
Partner with licensed co-packers or Japanese suppliers like Tsuji Riichi (100-unit minimum) to create custom Horai-branded packaging. Higher margins and stronger brand presence.
Months 7-12 | Multi-City Expansion
Expand beyond Georgetown to Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas. Target H-E-B's Quest for Texas Best competition (March 2026) for up to $50K in prizes plus guaranteed shelf placement.
Launch with 3 SKUs targeting different customer segments:
✓ Ceremonial Grade: Specialty cafes, tea shops | Traditional ceremony, premium lattes | Import: $60-90/kg → Wholesale: $110-140/kg
✓ Cafe/Latte Grade: High-volume cafes | Daily lattes, smoothies | Import: $40-60/kg → Wholesale: $70-100/kg
✓ Culinary Grade: Bakeries, food service | Baking, cooking | Import: $18-25/kg → Wholesale: $35-45/kg
We're not just importing matcha—we're building authentic relationships with Japanese tea masters and bringing cultural authenticity to a market dominated by generic wholesalers.
Direct relationships with traditional producers like Tsuji Riichi Honten, Marukyu Koyamaen, and Yamamasa Koyamaen. We're visiting Japan to establish personal connections following proper omiyage protocols with Texas specialties as gifts. This isn't reselling—it's genuine cultural partnership.
We're based in Georgetown, Texas—the only matcha wholesaler between Houston and Dallas. Faster delivery times than California or New York competitors, personal service, and local market knowledge. Plus, "Texas-made" positioning for H-E-B's Quest for Texas Best.
While competitors hide pricing behind quote requests, we'll publish our wholesale rates publicly. Transparency builds trust and makes it easier for cafes to make buying decisions. No games, no surprises—just fair pricing.
Starting with 5kg minimums and moving to zero minimums as we scale. Most competitors require 10-20kg minimum orders or charge premium prices for small quantities. We make it easy for new cafes to start with us.
Free samples, brewing guides, staff training materials, and recipe development assistance. We don't just sell matcha—we help cafes succeed with it. Customer success is our growth strategy.
Exploring unique packaging like natural bamboo shoot containers for ultra-premium limited editions—completely unique in the market. Local production with ePac Flexibles Austin supports faster turnaround and "Texas pride" brand story.
Conservative projections show profitability in Month 3 and strong revenue growth through wholesale expansion. Two-partner bootstrap operation with minimal overhead.
| Quarter | Accounts | Sales (kg/mo) | Monthly Revenue | Quarterly Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 5 | 15-80kg | $1,200-$6,400 | $6,500 |
| Q2 | 15 | 110kg | $8,800 | $23,400 |
| Q3 | 30 | 140-170kg | $11,200-$13,600 | $58,500 |
| Q4 | 50 | 180kg | $14,400+ | $117,000 |
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial inventory (80kg, pre-packaged) | $4,000-$5,000 |
| Chest freezer for storage | $400-$600 |
| Branded labels/stickers | $200-$400 |
| LLC, permits, insurance | $700-$1,000 |
| Sample inventory & materials | $500-$600 |
| Working capital buffer | $500-$1,000 |
| TOTAL | $6,400-$8,800 |
Month 6 Take-Home:
$2,550 per partner
Scaling to $5,000+ per partner by Month 12
Proven, executable plan with clear milestones and legal compliance at every stage.
This isn't our first rodeo. We bring complementary skills, existing business operations, and strategic connections that position us for rapid execution.
We're not building a get-rich-quick scheme. We're creating a sustainable business that honors Japanese tea traditions while serving the Texas market's needs. We start lean, validate with customers, iterate based on feedback, and scale profitably. Every decision prioritizes customer success, cultural respect, and financial discipline.
Low risk. High margins. Massive underserved market. Proven path to profitability.
Let's TalkSeeking strategic partners and advisors who share our vision for cultural authenticity and sustainable growth.