South Trading Post Is Holding a Free 3-Day Matcha Festival in Alabang

(SPOT.ph) You know how the inside joke goes, “Yung mga taga-South na lang lagi naga-adjust" when friends want to hang out in BGC, Makati, San Juan, or Quezon City (the last being the most extreme as it's on the opposite side of the South). Unfortunately, it doesn't just apply to personal gala—Southies also have to adjust when it comes to all the exciting cafés, restaurants, conventions, and events happening in the North and East.

But on the fortunate side, for those who love matcha, South Trading Post is bringing matcha cafes and merchants from around the Metro for the Love You So Matcha festival. This is a three-day matcha festival happening at Alabang Town Center (or Town) from February 13 to 15. And yes, entrance to the event is free.

South Trading Post is back at Alabang Town Center for a matcha-filled Valentine’s Day weekend. Love You Matcha is a three-day festival at the mall's Activity Center from February 13 to 15, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Love You So Matcha conveniently brings together matcha merchants in one area—from drinks to bites (like the viral Dubai Chewy Cookies), plus matcha powders, bowls (chawan), and bamboo whisks (chasen) for those whisking their own matchas at home. Plus, because this is a South Trading Post event, there will be local merchants and creatives selling anik-anik, photo booths for memories, customizable accessories, piercing sessions, and more. 

Oh, just in case it didn't sink in: There's no need to set aside budget for the entrance fee because it's free!

• Betcha! By Gaby Brews: Betcha! covers your classic matcha and hojicha lattes, but you should also go outside your comfort zone and explore their specials like the Berry Blossom Matcha Latte, Passionfruit Matcha Fizz, and Coconut Matcha.

• Butterboy: If you’re sourcing your matcha elsewhere but refuse to drink it without a pairing, Butterboy is a great choice for flaky, laminated pastries. You can go for their classics like the Classic Butter Croissant, Kouign Amann, and Pain Au Chocolate, or you can go for double the matcha and pair it with their Matcha Pain Au Chocolat or White Chocolate Matcha Croissants.

• Hakone: For those who make their own matcha at home, heads up: this purveyor carries cans of Matcha Niji wichi, which uses Yabukita leaves from Shizuoka, Kapan. This has a medium level of umami and low bitterness, making it great for an everyday matcha fix.

• Matcha Besties Club: Matcha Besties Club has everything you need to delve deeper into your matcha era. Sure, they have the drinks and the powder, but they also have you covered with the essential equipment for your matcha set-up at home: chawan, chasen, and more. For those who want their matcha fix on the go—be it while traveling, in the office, or on a roadtrip, Matcha Besties Club has a Mini Matcha Shaker that's worth adding to your collection.

• Matcha Mama: Now, if you don't always have time to go to your favorite matcha café or make your own matcha at home, Matcha Mama can help you. You can stock your refrigerator with bottled matcha drinks like the Matcha Latte, Spanish Matcha, Matcha Chai, and more. But they will also have a matcha bar to serve freshly-whisked matcha drinks using their own matcha blend, and at this bar, you can go basic with the Ceremonial Matcha Latte or try their new hojicha lattes, the Cream Cheese Foam Hojicha Latte and Brown Sugar Hojicha Latte.

• Oh, Hey There Matcha: The BF matcha cafe is returning to Town. If you've already tried their other drinks, they have a new Matcha and Hojicha Caramel Miso on the menu that uses their own miso syrup to give it a sweet, umami profile. Crossed fingers that they'll also bring their Dubai Pistachio Chewy Mochi and Strawberry Matcha Chewy Mochi.

• Siesta Horchata: Siesta Horchata, the first cafe in the Metro specializing in horchata, is bringing its bottled horchatas to Town. They have signatures like the Siesta Horchata (classic horchata), Dirty Horchata, Burnt Horchata (this drink has toasted cinnamon), Burnt Dirty Horchata, Chaichita (horchata and chai), Matchata (horchata and matcha), and an Iced Salted Horchata.

• Soft Brews Club: Perfect for Valentine’s Day, Soft Brews Club’s Uji Rose Matcha doubles as a bouquet you can drink. It’s a matcha latte topped with dried flowers that aren’t just there to look pretty—they add a soft, floral note to every sip too.

• Ujisan: Ujisan is all about personalizing your cup of matcha, but they have removed the customizable matcha levels from the menu. Should you still want more matcha powder in your drink, this comes at an additional cost. Let us reiterate: At. An. Additional. Cost. This is on top of the base price. On the matcha selection, you have options like the Uji Matcha Latte, Sea Salt Matcha, Cereal Oat Matcha, Ichigo Cloud Matcha, and Red Bean Matcha. If you've had too much matcha, they also have hojicha and coffee, too!

• Whisk & Sip Matcha: Looking to try the drinks of Whisk and Sip Matcha without having to go all the way to Pampanga? Good news: the matcha café is officially heading south for the three-day matcha festival. Hopefully, they bring their Breakfast Matcha which is a matcha latte topped with either strawberry or honey frosting (your choice!), and topped with skewered mini croissants.

The local brands present at Love You So Matcha are Ardourela, Beyond Collective, Clocheflame, Dear Agatha, Everloom, Kaddadia, Le Scarpe, Nin and Yang, Plural & Co., Russet Accessories, Solasta, and Vintage Tuklasan. For the anik-anik girlies, check out Alien Opinions, Art by Pia Garcia, crittercaffe, Into The Garden, Lelleribo, Moonbug Matcha, and QRST.

As for the hobbyists (or just looking for another hobby to spend your money on pursue), drop by Beaded by B, Book Hive, The Freedom Objects, Through Lens, and Tokyo Music Club & The Crystal Room. There are also activities at Funkyfoto, 4026 Moonlight Tattoo and Piercing Studio, Pajama Art, and Estelita.

South Trading Post's Love You So Matcha will be at the Activity Center, Alabang Town Center, Commerce Avenue corner Madrigal Avenue, New Alabang Village, Muntinlupa City. For more information, check out South Trading Post's Facebook page.