top of page
Search

David Rio San Francisco Unveils “Matcha Rio,” a Modern Matcha Line Rooted in Japanese Heritage and Built for Today’s Café Products Drop May 15 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

San Francisco, CA — May 15, 2026 — David Rio San Francisco, the award-winning, woman-owned leader in premium chai and matcha, today announces the launch of Matcha Rio, a new, thoughtfully crafted matcha portfolio designed for modern cafés and consumers alike. Debuting at World of Coffee San Diego 2026, this cohesive three-SKU lineup reflects the brand’s Japanese heritage, 30 years of expertise, and a forward-looking vision led by co-founder Rio Miura.


The Why: Answering the Call for Better Matcha 

Matcha has evolved from a niche ritual to a daily staple, but today’s consumers are asking for more. They want elevated, authentic experiences with cleaner ingredients, better flavor, and effortless preparation.


David Rio listened.


Matcha Rio was created in direct response to this demand, balancing indulgence and wellness with operational ease. Designed for both café professionals and at-home enthusiasts, the lineup delivers premium quality with approachable versatility.


Customers crave authenticity, performance, and simplicity. Matcha Rio delivers all three.


Why David Rio Is Uniquely Positioned 

Since 1996, David Rio San Francisco has built its reputation as a leader in specialty beverages through an unwavering commitment to craft. From thoughtful sourcing to meticulous processing and intentional formulation, the company has spent nearly three decades refining what it means to deliver café-quality products at scale. 


Matcha Rio is a natural extension of this expertise, featuring high-quality matcha sourced from Kagoshima, Japan. Our founder was born and raised on Kyushu Island—the historic heartland of matcha—bringing an uncommon closeness to the craft and its origins. This connection shapes our approach, guiding rigorous standards for flavor, consistency, and versatility across real-world café applications. With a deep understanding of operator needs and evolving consumer preferences, David Rio continues to set the standard in matcha, bringing together authenticity, performance, and innovation in every blend. 


Product Story: Meet the Matcha Rio Lineup

Introducing a clear, cohesive portfolio designed to bring structure, strength, and simplicity to the matcha category:


Barista Blend

 Crafted for purists and creatives alike, Barista Blend is a ceremonial grade, unsweetened matcha designed for those who treat matcha as an art, not a trend. Sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, and guided in-house from cultivation through stone milling, it offers a smooth, vibrant foundation that shines across hot, iced, blended, or shaken drinks, delivering consistency and brilliance in every cup.


Super Blend

 A wellness-forward take on matcha, Super Blend begins with premium tea sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, then is thoughtfully blended with chlorella, moringa, and wheatgrass, and lightly sweetened with agave. This functional combination supports a balanced, nourishing profile while maintaining a smooth texture and clean taste. With its naturally vibrant green color and dependable performance, it’s an ideal choice for operators looking to bring better-for-you offerings to their menu without compromising on flavor or consistency.


Frappe Blend 

Designed for iced and blended beverages, The Sweetened Frappe Blend delivers rich body and crave-worthy mouthfeel with a smooth touch of vanilla and a hint of salt for depth. Made with matcha sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, and creamer-free by design, it offers flexibility by allowing operators to customize with their preferred dairy or plant-based milk while maintaining consistent flavor and texture.


Together, these three blends create a unified, modern matcha system. One lineup, clearly defined, built for every menu need.


The Founder Behind the Name 

Matcha Rio is more than a product launch, it’s a personal expression of co-founder Rio Miura’s vision and heritage.


Born and raised in Miyazaki, Japan, Rio has helped shape David Rio San Francisco with a simple belief: great drinks should make life easier for operators while creating meaningful, welcoming experiences for every guest.


At the heart of Matcha Rio is Omotenashi—the Japanese philosophy of wholehearted, selfless hospitality. It’s about anticipating needs, delivering care without expectation, and honoring the ritual behind every cup.


This philosophy guides every element of the line, from ceremonial-quality sourcing to barista-ready blends, ensuring that matcha can be seamlessly and authentically integrated into daily life.


Matcha Rio is built on the art of service.


Founder Perspective 

“Matcha Rio is deeply personal to me because it’s rooted in Omotenashi—the idea of thoughtful, wholehearted hospitality,” said Rio Miura. “We designed this line to make it easier for operators to deliver that same level of care and experience in every cup. 


As a woman founder and creative force behind the lineup, Rio continues to shape the company’s evolution with authenticity, intention, and hands-on leadership.


Packaging Designed for the Future

The Matcha Rio packaging system reflects a bright, modern direction for the brand brought to life through the creative vision of Rio, who also serves as the brand’s creative director.


Deeply personal in its design, the Matcha Rio logo is inspired by Rio’s own family crest, which features a tea leaf, an emblem that ties her heritage directly to the heart of the brand. This sense of identity continues throughout the packaging, where Rio personally conceptualized and painted key elements of the design.


At the center of the visual system is a hand-painted Japanese woman, envisioned and developed by Rio herself. Hand-painted with intention and care, the character reflects both tradition and evolution, honoring the cultural roots of matcha while presenting a fresh, contemporary perspective. The background, painted by Rio, brings depth, vibrancy, and an artisanal quality that reinforces the brand’s commitment to craft.


Together, these elements create a packaging system that balances individuality with cohesion—each SKU distinct, yet unified within a single, expressive visual language.


The result is a packaging system that is:

  • Instantly recognizable

  • Easy to navigate

  • Rooted in heritage and artistry

  • Aligned with the brand’s optimistic, forward-looking vision


Availability & Call to Action 

The full lineup will be available for purchase on davidrio.com beginning May 15, 2026.

Café operators, distributors, and media are invited to:


Media Contact: 

Molly Locke, Marketing


About David Rio San Francisco Founded in 1996, David Rio San Francisco is a woman-owned, award-winning specialty beverage company known for its premium chai, matcha, and tea offerings. Guided by craft, community, and conservation, the brand serves customers in more than 50 countries worldwide while supporting global sustainability initiatives through its foundation partnerships.


bottom of page