The Parallels Between Maccha’s Community and Matcha Tea’s Stories
Maccha, or Matcha, perhaps its more well known spelling - has disrupted the beverage market in the West. Its existence dates back to the 12th Century and became popular in Japan, when it was banned in its native China. Since then, the product has been commercialised and has travelled to the West, where it is consumed in various forms - in lattes, cakes and ice creams. And in the spirit of this, the Maccha Community App was born. Maccha is a space for the East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) community to come together, share, and support each other. Just like the tea, the Asian diaspora is thriving in the West, yet many seek a way to find others that hae gone on similar paths. In 2024, Maccha’s founder realised there was a missing piece for ESEA people, especially in Europe, where the Asian diaspora is scattered across small pockets. You could find people on Facebook, maybe, but it wasn’t quite there. Instagram was all photos and little conversation, and dating apps had a large population based in Asia. There was no single place to connect on a deeper level. So, Maccha took the principles of what matcha tea stands for – community, connection, and calm – and created a digital home for the ESEA community to vibe, chat, and connect in a way that felt real. Maccha Caters For Everybody In The Community For students looking to connect with those from a common background, Maccha provides the platform for information sharing. We also aim to work with university organisations, such as ABACUS to give them a space to publicise their events and latest news. For professionals with little time to meet new people, Maccha’s profile matching tool makes it easier to connect with like-minded individuals. Our filters include age, profession and educational background, so you can cut the chase and start chatting with people who you have a lot in common with. Perhaps you’re looking for a serious relationship, and finding someone from the same values and culture is important. Maccha provides the tool to access our community. When you register, you can state that you’re looking for a relationship, so you only see profiles of others who are looking for the same thing. What Makes Maccha Different Maccha isn’t just a repurposed social app; it’s a purpose-driven platform. Here’s what makes it truly special: Swipe to Chat and Meet: Find ESEAs near you - whether you are looking to just meet friends, or something more serious - we cater for all your needs Forums to Talk with those who just get it: Got thoughts on the latest ESEA dramas? Want to share your experiences dealing with post-Covid perceptions? Maccha’s forum is the place for it—real conversations, no pretence – just a spot for honest discussions. Spotlight on ESEA Businesses: Love supporting ESEA-owned brands or discovering new products? Maccha’s got a whole section for businesses from the community, giving them a space to promote what they do. From skincare to food, this is where you can discover what the community’s got to offer. In addition, Maccha is committed to giving back. We commit to reinvesting in the community through sponsorships, giving ESEA businesses a platform, and collaborations. We want to lift up the community through all that we do. Starting in the UK, But Not Stopping There The Maccha journey starts in the Europe, but the vision’s bigger than that. ESEA communities around the world share experiences, and the dream is to expand the app to bring them all together. But for now, we are focused on the UK and Europe. If you like our app, please support by leaving a positive review, telling your friends about us, and staying active! The Future of Maccha This is just the beginning for Maccha. It’s only going to grow, with the goal of becoming the go-to space for the ESEA community. Just like matcha tea, which balances tradition and modern life, Maccha, the Asian community app, is here to bring people together in a way that feels right for today’s world. So here’s to Maccha – an app inspired by tea, built for community, and ready to make a difference. And if you’re ESEA and looking for a place that just gets it, Maccha’s the app for you.
Freshers Week: Building Friendships in the ESEA Community at University
Alright, so you’ve landed at uni, and Freshers Week is kicking off—it’s buzzing, but also a bit nerve-wracking, right? Everyone’s out here trying to meet new people and settle in. But for us in the ESEA community, it can sometimes feel like we’re on a different wave. With the mix of cultures and everything, finding your people might feel like a mission. No need to stress though; there’s bare ways to connect with like-minded East and Southeast Asians and feel right at home. Get in on the ESEA Contemporary Scene One of the best ways to kick things off is by hitting up events that are all about the ESEA community. Loads of societies and orgs are now creating spaces for us to vibe, bond, and just hang out. If you’re after cultural or varied events, there are various ESEA organisations, such as the London Chinese Community Centre, and B.SEAn. They are typically volunteer-led organisations who organise events to bring the community together. If you’re after nightlife, Official K Events is Europe’s largest Kpop Club Nights organiser. If you have a love of Kpop and after a fun night, this could be a good option. If you’re in London, Thai Square in Trafalgar Square is also the Asian night to-go. Every Friday and Saturday night, the club is packed with trendy Asians dancing the night away. Whether you're Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, or repping another ESEA background, you're bound to meet people who get where you're coming from. The Asian networking scene is more alive than ever. Your Uni’s ESEA Societies Are a Goldmine Nearly every uni in the UK will have some kind of ESEA-related society—whether it’s an Asian society, an international asian student group, or something similar. These groups are the perfect places to build those solid friendships. Keep an eye out for ABACUS (Association of British Chinese University Students). Almost all universities in the UK have one, and despite the name, it’s typically open to all Asians. Most universities will also have specific ethnic societies, such as Filipino Society or Vietnamese Society. Sign up at Freshers’ Fayre or follow their Instagram pages. Asian networking events, cultural festivals, and socials—they're ideal for bonding over shared food, languages, and vibes. Don't hesitate to dive into Freshers Week! We're all in this together, and bonding over shared experiences is the best way to make friends. Feeling a Bit Lost? It’s Calm, We’ve All Been There If you’re feeling a bit out of place, no stress. Freshers Week is chaos for everyone, whether they’re locals or internationals. For the ESEA community, it might take a bit more effort to find people who get your background, but trust us—it’s 100% worth it. Hit Up Your Uni’s Asian Societies ASAP If you haven’t already scoped them out, what are you waiting for? Most unis have Asian or international societies where you can link up with people from the ESEA community. These groups are all about making you feel at home, whether through socials, cultural nights, or just chill hangouts. Honestly, it’s probably the easiest way to meet new people in the UK who just get it. Find external ESEA-related events to suit your taste If you’re based in or near London, you’re set. The London Chinese Community Centre and B.SEAn are volunteer-led community organisations. You’ll meet students, professionals, and creatives all looking to connect. The UK is also vibrant with Asian nights, from K Events, to Thai Square. Don’t worry—other cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and Leeds have their own ESEA communities with similar events, so keep your eyes peeled. Don’t Sleep on Social Media Let's be honest: everything is blowing up on social media. Follow your university's societies, the ESEA community sites, and local Asian activities. It's a low-key method to stay informed without feeling pressurised. Furthermore, it allows you to discover which events interest you and who you may like to connect with ease. Food is the Ultimate Connector Listen, food brings people together like nothing else. Whether it’s a hotpot night, dim sum run, or a homemade potluck, food events are the perfect vibe for getting to know people in the ESEA community. If your uni’s Asian society is throwing a food-based event during Freshers Week, you do not want to miss it. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone Yeah, we know it's super awkward to walk into a room full of strangers. But guess what? Everyone's feeling the same way during Freshers Week! Relax, take a deep breath, and go ahead and introduce yourself! Most people are looking for mates just like you, so whether it’s joining a convo or asking about the next big event, it’s all good. Find Your People with Maccha Feeling a bit stuck on how to find your crew? Check out Maccha—the community app built specifically for the ESEA community living in the West. Maccha makes it easy to connect with like-minded people in a super chill, community-focused way. You’ll find events, activities, and casual meetups nearby, so you can link up with others who are on your wavelength. It’s like having your own personal guide to the ESEA scene! Final Thoughts Freshers Week is your perfect chance to build lifelong uni friendships, especially within the ESEA community. From joining societies to using the Maccha community app to find your tribe, the possibilities are endless. So get out there, embrace your heritage, and link up with new people who get you. Trust us, there are loads of like-minded ESEA people just waiting to meet you. Let’s make those connections happen!
Asian Community Sites & Forums: Where They Went & What's Used Now
In 1991, the internet was launched to the public, changing the way we would connect forever. Asian Avenue, a platform connecting Chinese ethnic groups and the broader Asian diaspora, launched in 1997, just 6 years later. This was run by co-founders Benjamin Sun, Peter Chen, Grace Chang, and Michael Montero. A year later, the New York Times described it as “unusually successful.” At its peak, the site had 2 million users, with more than 5,000 online at a time. It became a hub for the American Born Chinese, Australian Born Chinese, British Born Chinese, and other Chinese people groups to speak out. In 1999, SKYY vodka displayed an advert of a Caucasian woman with chopsticks in her hair, and many users called out cultural appropriation. What was particularly unique about Asian Avenue was that the user page was completely bespoke. Most young people, especially from the ESEA community, learnt HTML specifically to create their webpage. Moreover, there would be a profile of the week, where the users with the most views would feature on the homepage. Users would communicate through the guestbook, leading to new friendships and fostering community ties similar to those found in the London Chinese Community Centre. The dynamic profile pages and excitement of user of the week created a buzz. Asian Avenue was a pioneer in connecting Asians online and became a virtual meeting space to discuss topics and cultural events in the UK and beyond. There is currently no information about why Asian Avenue disappeared. The Rise of Community Forums The early 2000s was an era of discussion forums. At a time when Dance Dance Revolution became popular, this led to the launch of the Dance Games forum. Although not strictly for Asians, many of the fans were from the community. They would arrange to meet at arcades and spend their weekends on the DDR machines, and afterwards go to bars and clubs. This became a regular routine, building a network of friends which would still stand the test of time. British Born Chinese Discussion Forum vs. DragonLink Then came the British Born Chinese Discussion Forum and DragonLink. Both were dedicated websites for the Asian community, with the former more focused on British Chinese, and the latter for all “Orientals in the UK”. This was before the term became derogatory. There was some stereotyping and healthy competition between the two. The British Born Chinese Discussion Forum was considered more mature and civilised, whereas DragonLink was considered more for younger party-going Asians. Much of the community parties were promoted on these forums. Both would organise their own ‘Meets’, and ESEA club night organisers would advertise on the forums. DragonLink would advertise community news. There was a dedicated user profile page, where users could rate each other based on attractiveness. A girl with perfectly straightened hair in a red dress looking to the side would consistently feature over 9/10. On both forums, users would post in dedicated topic boards and were very active in keeping up with discussions. Facebook’s Dominance and the Decline of Forums Facebook launched in 2004 and became hugely popular. Discussions became stagnant on these forums as users connected with each other directly on Facebook. Users were more hooked on checking each other’s profile pages with personalised updates rather than discussing topics on a forum. As the engagement dwindled, the British Born Chinese discussion forum and DragonLink created pages in Facebook Groups. This saw a migration of discussions, leaving the original sites derelict. Fragmentation in the 2020s Fast forward to the 2020s and Facebook usage has decreased amongst all age groups, with only 1/3 of under 25s reportedly using the site. As Instagram rules supreme, this platform has fragmented the community connection experience. Today, the Asian diaspora follows some dedicated Asian community Instagram pages with event updates, but there is no central hub to promote these. Moreover, Instagram does not feature a community forum, so the community don’t have a space to discuss topics. The British Born Chinese group on Facebook boasts 16.5k users, but the user experience is somewhat less organised and tailored to the community. The Future: Maccha's Role in Reconnecting the Community Maccha aims to bridge the gaps faced by the ESEA community and Asian diaspora in building connections, finding friends, and sharing real-life experiences. In a time when traditional hubs like the British-Born Chinese Forum and the London Chinese Community Centre have shifted focus, Maccha provides a modern digital platform where American-born Chinese, Australian-born Chinese, British-born Chinese, and all ESEA members can connect in one place. With dedicated spaces for discussion, discovering cultural events across the UK, and organised meetups, Maccha paves the way for a new chapter.