"On its shelves, matcha conchas made with Japanese shokupan co-exist with ramune sodas and Mexican Coca-Cola, and its coffee drinks made from Chiapas beans intermingle with house beverages like horchata with green tea. We wanted to offer something authentic, something that spoke to our roots and at the same time, to our experiences here, explains its founder Laura Molinar, a 21-year-old Latina, as she shows off the molds she imported from Japan to bake pan de leche in the exact shape of a sokupan."
"There, under the guidance of a tea master, she learned about the ceremony that brings matcha to life. She taught me the deep cultural impact of tea ceremonies in Japan, and how it represents a profound connection and respect between one human to another through the preparation of matcha, she wrote on Instagram. The instructor told her about the Ichigo Iche () philosophy, which translates to for this time only, expressing how every encounter, every cup of tea, every moment, is unique"
A small storefront in Dalworthington Gardens, Texas operates as Pan Pan Bakery, a name meaning bread in both Spanish and Japanese. The bakery blends Mexican and Japanese culinary traditions and migrant identity through products and rituals. Shelves hold matcha conchas made with Japanese shokupan, ramune sodas, Mexican Coca-Cola, Chiapas-coffee drinks, and horchata with green tea. Founder Laura Molinar, a 21-year-old Latina, imports Japanese molds to shape pan de leche like shokupan and kneads and bakes continuously. A visit to Japan and instruction from a tea master introduced the Ichigo Ichi philosophy, prompting hand-beaten, made-to-order matcha prepared as ritual. Social media posts reached millions.
Read at english.elpais.com
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