Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Littlejohn.
Hi Ryan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Matcha Journey: How Holy City Matcha LLC Began
Holy City Matcha was born after a visit to a Matcha tea café in New York City and sparked an idea that stayed with me. I was introduced to Matcha and the experience brought a feeling of calmness, community, and something I wanted to bring with me back to Charleston, South Carolina. As a registered nurse with a deep appreciation for a healthy lifestyle, I’m always exploring ways to nourish my health and open the doors for wellness for our community too.
It was something new, it instantly resonated with me a wholesome even more after researching its benefits. I was drawn to its earthy flavor and calming energy, and as I delved deeper, I became fascinated by its incredible health benefits: the high antioxidant content, its ability to promote focus and relaxation along with its very old cultural history in Japan.
Matcha quickly became a staple in my daily routine, a ritual of wellness I genuinely looked forward to daily and shared the idea with our community that was extremely supportive. After some deep and long research, testing, connecting to farms in Japan, connecting to their culture, working on our story and brand, we have launched our online store and then continued working with coffee shops in Charleston and still feeling excited daily for our product. That’s when Holy City Matcha LLC was born. This journey continues as an entrepreneur growing every day and it is deeply fulfilling. I’m grateful for this new lifestyle and want to continue to share it with others.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every business has its obstacles and starting something from the ground up takes time, effort and knowledge. This was something new and I had a big challenge to present it well and make people comfortable with the product, the brand and story, so we can build trust within our consumers.
As soon as I sparked the idea and one of the most important things was my commitment to offering only the highest quality matcha. However, I have come to understand that supply chain logistics is among the most challenging aspects of business operations, as well as how one presents their product to the market. Our matcha is sourced from trusted farms in Japan, and while that guarantees quality, it also introduces challenges, especially when it comes to shipping and lead times.
There have been moments where I’ve quite literally held my breath, waiting on shipments delayed due to international logistics or unforeseen supply chain issues. These delays can create real stress, especially when I’m trying to ensure my clients always have the quantity and quality of matcha they need. Balancing inventory while accounting for unpredictable lead times has become a constant puzzle, one that requires foresight, flexibility, and a little bit of faith.
Also, marketing the product is challenging as well. The market was new, people were just getting introduced to Matcha and we are working mainly with coffee shops, restaurants, and the wellness industry which requires patience for people to warm up to the product, try it the correct way, and introduce them to the benefits of matcha. Currently, the market has expanded, matcha sales are strong, our community presence is solid, and our product is widely available throughout Charleston and Mount Pleasant.
But despite the challenge, I would not change a thing. The reward of delivering authentic, ceremonial-grade matcha to Charleston and beyond makes every bit of the hustle worth it. We are ready to bring it further and share our product outside of Charleston.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As the founder and CEO of Holy City Matcha, I’m passionate about building meaningful connections within the Charleston community. I also love spending time in several of our partner cafés—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
When I’m not working, I love running, biking, spending time at the beach, connecting with friends, and exploring Charleston’s amazing food scene. I’m a total foodie and truly enjoy the variety and quality of cuisine our city has to offer.
What sets us apart?
At Holy City Matcha, we’re more than just a local wholesale provider — we’re part of the community we serve. We value real, personal connections with our customers. I don’t just drop off a product and leave — I genuinely enjoy visiting the coffee shops getting to know the teams and spending time as a customer savering their pasterises.
A little background for our readers: there are three main grades of matcha: ceremonial grade, latte grade, and culinary grade (food grade). Ceremonial grade is typically considered the highest quality matcha, made from the first harvest in spring when the tea leaves are the youngest and most tender. These leaves are shade-grown before harvest to enhance chlorophyll content and nutrients, resulting in a bright green color, smooth flavor, and maximum health benefits. Latte grade is usually a blend of matcha harvested from late spring to mid-summer. It has a slightly stronger flavor than ceremonial grade, making it a great choice for pairing with milk in lattes or other beverages. Lastly, culinary grade (food grade) is harvested in late summer. Its flavor is more astringent and slightly bitter, but this is not noticeable when mixed into food. One final note: we always recommend getting the highest grade possible, ideally ceremonial grade, if you’re going to consume it as a drink. This will ensure you receive the best health benefits and taste. For us, it’s about partnership. We believe in growing together — supporting each other, sharing successes, and building a stronger, more connected community. That personal investment is what makes our approach different, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
While facing many challenges, don’t give up. Push forward. Have a clear goal, build a strategy around it and stay focused. Build a community of humble partners who are there to support you, believe in your vision and product and just work hard towards it. People soon or later will recognize the value and connect to the brand, just be there to constantly be innovative, up to market, stay consistent with the product quality and offer amazing customer service to your clients.
One of the biggest challenges we currently face at Holy City Matcha is navigating a global matcha supply shortage. As demand for high-quality ceremonial-grade matcha rises, supply chains have tightened, especially for matcha sourced from small organic farms in Japan. To ensure we continue providing our customers with the top-tier matcha they’ve come to expect, we’ve had to place larger, more strategic orders far in advance. It’s a delicate balance, forecasting demand while dealing with extended lead times, rising shipping costs, and limited availability. While it’s not always easy, we remain committed to sourcing from trusted Japanese farms that align with our quality and sustainability standards. It’s part of our promise: no shortcuts, no compromises, just pure, authentic matcha, thoughtfully delivered. Finally, as growth comes, our hearts are full because we were able to bring an idea to reality and share it with our community.
Pricing:
- Please contat us Info@holycitymatcha.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.holycitymatcha.com
- Email: info@holycitymatcha.com
- Instagram: @holycitymatcha
- LinkedIn: @holycitymatcha
