Designing with a mindset of balance

The Cuzen Matcha Maker was created to bring the quiet spirit of the Japanese tea ceremony into modern daily life. Its form is simple, intentional, and designed to blend seamlessly into the home. Behind this design is Naoya Edahiro, a Los Angeles-based product designer.

In this interview with Cuzen, Naoya shares his approach to design and how the story of how the Matcha Maker came to life.

Hometown: Sapporo, Japan
Current residence: Los Angeles, California
Favorite Cuzen Matcha drinks: Sparkling matcha, Hot matcha latte

  • A display of Cuzen Matcha Maker design prototypes, part prototypes and images.

Contents

  1. Visions of an accessible matcha ritual
  2. Reflecting tradition
  3. Futuristic and beautiful: Fresh matcha for professionals
  4. Delivering a moment

1. Visions of an accessible matcha ritual

Cuzen [C]: How did you first connect with Cuzen Matcha?

Naoya [N]: When I lived in San Francisco, there was a Japanese café called Stonemill Matcha just down the street from my apartment. It was founded by Eijiro Tsukada, who would later start Cuzen Matcha.

Nearby, there was also a shop by Fellow, a coffee equipment startup. I had a friend working there who happened to know Eijiro and introduced us.

Even before the idea of a home matcha machine came up, Eijiro would ask me, “How do you think more people around the world could enjoy matcha?” We started meeting weekly to brainstorm. Before long, I found myself designing the first Cuzen Matcha Maker.

At the time, matcha was becoming popular internationally, but few people had access to truly high-quality Japanese tea. I wanted to help change that.

The idea came up for a machine that could grind tencha leaves and serve freshly-ground matcha like a grinder that grinds coffee beans right before you make the coffee. It felt revolutionary. If people could skip the complicated steps and still enjoy matcha that was fresher and better than café quality, I believed it could reach homes everywhere.

  • A woman pauses before taking a sip of an iced matcha latte in one of Cuzen's Perfect Matcha Latte Glasses.
  • Bird’s eye view of a person’s arms, both hands resting comfortably around the cup of matcha.

2. Reflecting a tradition

C: What was the most important part of the original design?

N: I never saw the Matcha Maker as just a machine. It was meant to create a moment to reset. That idea guided the design.

The circular opening at the center of the machine is inspired by the round windows in traditional tea rooms. Even during a busy morning, simply placing the cup there gives you a chance to pause and take a breath. Just for a moment, the mind settles. That was the experience I wanted to deliver.

The silver cylinder on top references a traditional tea canister, while the white body was inspired by the clean folds of origami paper.

The machine is not perfectly symmetrical. At first, that came from technical constraints, but in the end, it created a sense of natural beauty that isn’t over-polished—a touch of wabi-sabi. I think it made the design stronger.

  • A bamboo scoop sits on a traditional stone mill. The mill is covered in a dusting of bright green matcha powder.

3. Futuristic and beautiful: Fresh matcha for professionals

C: In 2025, you introduced the professional grade Matcha Maker Pro. How did your approach change?

N: For the Pro, I drew inspiration from Japanese architecture—particularly wooden joinery and the balance of posts and beams. The design became more modular and grounded, reflecting the reliability needed in professional use.

At the same time, I wanted to keep a sense of quiet perspective, as if looking into a tearoom from a veranda. The transparent panel allows people to watch the matcha being whisked, making the preparation itself part of the experience.

At exhibitions, the Pro was described as “futuristic and beautiful,” which was rewarding to hear.

  • One white and one black Matcha Maker Pro in a cafe space.

4. Delivering a moment

C: What do you value most in your design work?

N I’m drawn to projects that feel new, things without precedent. That’s where design truly has meaning.

The Cuzen project embodied that spirit. It wasn’t just about convenience or aesthetics. It was about delivering a moment of balance through a single cup of tea. That’s the power of design, and it’s why I believe in it.

Going forward, I want to keep taking on challenges across different fields, as long as they feel meaningful and a little unexpected.

Learn more about the Matcha Maker.

Learn more about our design team.

  • A person holds a glass of iced matcha with two hands, having a Cuzen Matcha moment.

Cuzen Matcha has been recognized worldwide for both innovation and design. Since debuting at CES 2020, where it received the distinction of CES Innovation Award Honoree, the Matcha Maker has earned eight additional international awards:

CJPF Awards, Project Division, Runner-Up (February 2024)

Good Housekeeping Coffee and Tea Awards (October 2023)

Good Design Award, Japan (October 2021)

iF Design Award (April 2021)

Esquire Home Design Awards (March 2021)

TIME Best Inventions of 2020 (November 2020)

Dezeen Awards, Design Longlist (August 2020)

San Francisco Design Week Awards, Future of Foods (June 2020)

CES Innovation Awards Honoree (Jan 2020)

Read more

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