The September 27 Edition
Chances are, when you pop into your local cafe you are as likely to find matcha on the menu as a flat white or an oat cap. Once a niche ceremonial tea, matcha has boomed in popularity, with cafes from Brunswick to Bondi serving up aesthetically pleasing iced drinks, along with matcha-flavoured cakes and pastries. The eye-catching appearance of these products has made them perfect fodder for social media feeds, which, along with the perception of health benefits, have fuelled the boom. Such is matcha’s mass appeal that dedicated appreciation societies have formed around a shared love of the drink, creating community and connection. As this week’s cover story writer Dani Valent identifies, matcha is a social movement as well as a beverage. But has the mainstreaming of matcha come at the expense of tradition and culture, and how are Japanese producers keeping up with the demand? Food (or drink) for thought. – Melissa Stevens, editor
‘You’d be amazed how much I sweat’: The secret lives of footy mascots
From Hawka to Rocky, Storm Man to Sparkles: to be a mascot for a pro sporting team, you need to be as fit – and as fearless – as the athletes themselves.
- Myffy Rigby
‘The Australian cafe is not what it used to be’: The hyped green drink taking over from coffee
A Japanese green tea powder has become the brew of the moment for the under-40s, challenging coffee. But how long can matcha mania last?
- Dani Valent
Myer and DJs elicit fond memories. Will they do the same for Gen Z?
With online shopping and specialist boutique rivals wooing customers away from their long-adored floors, retailers are trying new moves to keep the flame alive.
- Stephanie Wood
Bob Brown: What ‘the biggest herd of mammals’ can do to save the planet
The veteran activist on climate change denial, leaders who’ve let Australia down, how AI could make things far worse – and why getting depressed isn’t the answer.
- Greg Callaghan
‘He won’t be able to talk soon’: Facing a high-flying husband’s incurable disease
Last year, chef Teage Ezard was diagnosed with a rare disorder. As his symptoms progress, he and wife Tina contemplate their future and celebrate their past.
- Dani Valent
‘It’s really easy to overestimate your importance as an athlete’: Ellyse Perry
The only athlete to have played for Australia in cricket and football World Cups on the power of keeping perspective.
- Benjamin Law
Stillness
Overwhelmed, Jasmine did something subversive. She went to bed. In the afternoon. Lying fully clothed atop her doona, she allowed 10 minutes to gather herself. Her mind was not easily calmed, however, and she was about to give up when the sun emerged from behind a cloud and shot through her partially opened window and the chiffon curtain covering it. With her room now bathed in a warm, orange light, she rolled onto one shoulder and watched the curtain billow softly inward again and again and again. She awoke hours later, disorientated both by the twilight and the stillness in her head. – Words by Paul Connolly illustration by Jim Pavlidis
- Jonathan Seidler
Stillness
Overwhelmed, Jasmine did something subversive. She went to bed. In the afternoon. Lying fully clothed atop her doona, she allowed 10 minutes to gather herself. Her mind was not easily calmed, however, and she was about to give up when the sun emerged from behind a cloud and shot through her partially opened window and the chiffon curtain covering it. With her room now bathed in a warm, orange light, she rolled onto one shoulder and watched the curtain billow softly inward again and again and again. She awoke hours later, disorientated both by the twilight and the stillness in her head. – Words by Paul Connolly illustration by Jim Pavlidis
- Jonathan Seidler
More than rude: ‘Phubbing’ linked to a decline in intimacy
Phone snubbing has been identified as a threat to human reproduction.
- Andrew Hornery
My friend blatantly copied my birthday party. Should I call her out?
All parties are plagiarised in one way or another, says our Modern Guru.
- Danny Katz
Dressing for the office: Investment pieces starting at $80
For less stress each morning, curate a working uniform.
- Damien Woolnough
Helen Goh’s strawberry ricotta crostata
A free-form tart with a layer of vanilla-flavoured ricotta topped with jammy strawberries.
- 2 hrs +
- Helen Goh
When it comes to this dining trend, what goes around comes back around
Revolving restaurants transport us to the past and the future, writes Terry Durack.
- Terry Durack
- Review
- Good Weekend
Nostalgia at first bite: This skewer would have been the perfect after-school snack
Upon eating Dodam’s food, I found myself pining for the Korean childhood I never had, writes Dani Valent.
- Dani Valent
- Review
- 24 York
‘The place is rammed’: Good Food’s verdict on Sydney’s first steak and fries restaurant
A new restaurant hasn’t captured the hearts and wallets of CBD workers like this one since Jamie’s Italian.
- Callan Boys
Can you score a perfect 25 in the Good Weekend quiz?
Trivia buffs: test your knowledge with today’s interactive superquiz.
Other editions
The March 21 edition
Stephanie Alexander and The Cook’s Companion at 30 | Free-diver Ant Williams | Debra Adelaide and Gabrielle Carey | How to deliver a baby on a plane
- 11 stories
The March 14 edition
The high-strung, low-key world champ who could become our most-capped swimmer | Ukraine’s world-leading robotics work | Filmmaking at -50C | Consoling a friend
- 13 stories