Amin Abbas

Former cabin crew member, Chie Letelier, decided that flying was not the only thing she wanted to do in life. It was time to touch base and get down to business.

She wanted to explore other avenues and so the Japanese launched Matcha Oasis, a new organic Japanese tea brand in the UAE.

Speaking to Arab News Japan, Letelier spoke about her experience of working as a cabin crew. “I had the unforgettable experience of meeting people from all walks of life and immersing myself in diverse cultures. It was an opportunity that I would not have had if I stayed in my country.”

“But,” she said, “I wanted to try my hand at business and here I am.”

Letelier shared her story behind establishing the Matcha Oasis brand. “We launched Matcha Oasis in December 2024 with the goal of making the UAE the best matcha serving country in the region. Also, in everything we do, we follow our Triple C Mission — Contributing to Healthy Living, Cultivating Happiness and Connecting Japan to the World.”

“In the UAE, there are still many who have never tried matcha, so helping them understand its qualities remains a significant challenge,” she added.

Letelier mentioned that the response and feedback for Matcha Oasis has been positive and quick especially from cafés and restaurants.

“The most gratifying feedback we received was that our matcha menu gained popularity after they started using our products,” Letelier said.

About distinguishing Matcha Oasis from other Japanese tea brands in the UAE, Letelier said, “We have variety and our quality is of high standard. We have different grades of matcha. Our products are freshly packed in Japan to prevent oxidation and ensure optimal quality. Additionally, we provide B2B matcha training to help people to understand the unique characteristics of matcha.”

About her inspiration for Japanese culture, Letelier said: “In particular, the culture of matcha has a history spanning 1,300 years. Japan has a remarkably long history. Even today, many aspects of its traditional culture continue to be passed down and influence our daily life. I’m deeply impressed by this irreplaceable tradition, one that is uniquely Japanese and found nowhere else in the world.

“Japanese culture places great importance on respect. Respect starts at home, at our schools, within our society and with our nature. This mindset fosters harmony in daily interactions and encourages mindfulness in how we treat others and our surroundings.

“Our health awareness is relatively high, and there is a deep appreciation for overall well-being. This is reflected in mindful eating, such as enjoying seasonal and nutrient rich foods and in daily rituals like drinking matcha, all of which contribute to a balanced and healthy lifestyle,” she added.

Letelier recommends everyone to follow Matcha Oasis page on Instagram for the latest updates on events and products.