OYSHO Matcha Run Amsterdam: King's Day with Ceremonial Matcha

Reading time: ±6 minutes | Last updated: April 2026

The OYSHO King's Day Run in Amsterdam brought together two worlds that are a perfect match: running and ceremonial matcha. The OYSHO community, known for their running clubs and sporty lifestyle events, took to the streets of Amsterdam this King's Day for a festive run. At the event, Vonckelend, the poffertjes (mini pancake) shop on Rokin, provided the catering with their fresh poffertjes and ceremonial matcha. Since Vonckelend serves our Unmatched Matcha, this was how the OYSHO community was introduced to ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima.

It was a happy coincidence: dozens of runners tasting ceremonial matcha for the first time, exactly when they needed it most. After physical exertion, as your body recovers and your mind settles, matcha is at its best. In this article, we tell you what happened, why matcha and sports go so well together, and how to make your own post-run matcha at home.

What was the OYSHO King's Day Run?

Quick answer: OYSHO organized a community run through Amsterdam as part of their 2026 King's Day event. Vonckelend provided catering with poffertjes and ceremonial matcha. Since Vonckelend serves Unmatched Matcha, the OYSHO community sampled our matcha from Kagoshima.

OYSHO, the Spanish sports and lifestyle brand owned by Inditex (the parent company of Zara), opened its first Dutch store in 2025 at Kalverstraat 42 in Amsterdam. Since then, the brand has been actively building a local community with running clubs, yoga sessions, and sporty events in the city.

The King's Day Run was one of these community events. Participants ran a route through the center of Amsterdam in the festive atmosphere that only King's Day can bring. For catering, OYSHO partnered with Vonckelend, the poffertjes shop at Rokin 81. Vonckelend served their fresh poffertjes and ceremonial matcha lattes at the event.

Vonckelend, located at Rokin 81 in Amsterdam, serves ceremonial Unmatched Matcha from Kagoshima daily. Through this collaboration between OYSHO and Vonckelend, the OYSHO community was introduced to our matcha. A beautiful coincidence that perfectly illustrates how matcha is becoming increasingly intertwined with the sporty lifestyle in Amsterdam.

Tasting ceremonial matcha for the first time: the reactions

Quick answer: Many participants of the OYSHO run tasted ceremonial matcha for the first time and were surprised by the smooth, non-bitter taste and the soothing effect after physical exertion.

For many participants, it was the first time they tasted real ceremonial matcha. Most people only know matcha as the green latte they order at a coffee chain, often made with culinary-grade matcha and quite a bit of sugar. The ceremonial matcha that Vonckelend serves (our Unmatched Matcha from Kagoshima) is a completely different experience: smooth, umami-rich, without bitterness, and without additives.

Combined with the fresh poffertjes from Vonckelend, it was a unique experience. The reactions were positive: people were surprised by how smooth ceremonial matcha can taste and how well it fits after exercise. That reaction exactly shows that the quality of your matcha makes the difference.

The timing was also special. After running, your body is in recovery mode: your heart rate drops, your muscles relax, and your mind settles down. It is exactly at that moment that the L-theanine in matcha works most effectively: it enhances the feeling of calm alertness and supports recovery.

Why matcha and running go so well together

Quick answer: Matcha offers athletes three benefits: EGCG stimulates fat burning during exercise, L-theanine supports mental recovery after the run, and antioxidants protect muscles against oxidative stress.

The combination of matcha and sports is no coincidence. There are three scientifically proven reasons why matcha is an ideal drink for runners and athletes:

1. Fat burning during exercise. The EGCG and caffeine in matcha increase fat oxidation by approximately 17% during moderate exercise (Dulloo et al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1999). Many runners drink matcha 30 to 60 minutes before their run to take advantage of this effect.

2. Mental relaxation after exertion. L-theanine stimulates alpha waves in the brain, creating a state of relaxed alertness. After an intense run, when your heart rate is coming down but your mind is still active, L-theanine helps you reach a state of recovery faster.

3. Protection against oxidative stress. Intense exercise increases the production of free radicals in your body. The antioxidants in matcha (especially EGCG, with an ORAC score of 1,573 per gram) neutralize these free radicals and support muscle recovery.

Want to know more about the science behind matcha and health? Read 7 proven health benefits of matcha and how L-theanine improves your focus.

Matcha vs. sports drinks and energy drinks: a fair comparison

Quick answer: Matcha contains no sugar, no artificial additives, and provides stable energy. Most sports drinks contain 20 to 35 grams of sugar per bottle, and energy drinks contain up to 80 mg of caffeine with a crash afterward.

Matcha does not replace electrolytes after a long run (for that, you do need salts and minerals), but as an energy source and recovery drink, it is a world of difference from the sugar-rich alternatives. More and more running clubs and sports communities, such as the OYSHO running club, are embracing matcha as the better alternative.

OYSHO and the matcha trend in Amsterdam

Quick answer: OYSHO's choice to serve matcha at their event fits into a broader trend: sports and lifestyle brands are embracing matcha as part of a conscious, active lifestyle.

That an international brand like OYSHO chooses ceremonial matcha for their community event is telling. It shows that matcha is no longer a niche drink for tea lovers, but a mainstream part of an active lifestyle.

Amsterdam is leading the way in this. The city combines a strong running culture (think of the Dam tot Damloop, the Vondelpark as a running route, and dozens of running clubs) with a growing matcha culture. From De Pijp to the Bijlmer, from Amsterdam North to the city center: matcha is visible in more and more cafes, shops, and events.

Read more about the matcha culture in the city in matcha in Amsterdam: why the city is addicted to green tea.

Make your own post-run matcha at home

Quick answer: After running, a pure matcha or an iced matcha latte is ideal. Prepare a matcha shot with 2 grams of powder and 40 ml of warm water, and drink it pure or pour it over cold oat milk with ice.

Were you at the OYSHO run and do you want to repeat the matcha experience at home? Or are you a runner who has become curious? Here are two options:

Option 1: Pure matcha shot (pre-run). 30 to 60 minutes before your run. 2 grams of ceremonial matcha, 40 ml of warm water (70 to 80 °C), whisk until frothy. Drink it in two sips. The caffeine and EGCG start working exactly when you start running.

Option 2: Iced matcha latte (post-run). Directly after your run. 2 grams of matcha dissolved in 30 ml of warm water, poured over a glass full of ice cubes and 200 ml of cold oat milk. Refreshing, restorative, and with zero grams of sugar.

Full recipes? Read how to make the perfect iced matcha latte or view 5 matcha recipes in 5 minutes. More about the correct preparation? Read how to make matcha: step-by-step.

Order the same matcha as at the OYSHO run

Quick answer: The matcha served at the OYSHO King's Day Run is the same ceremonial matcha from Kagoshima that you can order at unmatched-matcha.com. Ordered today, delivered tomorrow.

Do you want to drink the same matcha that the OYSHO community sampled via Vonckelend? It is easy to order online. At Unmatched Matcha, you order ceremonial matcha from the Kagoshima region in Japan. First harvest, shade-grown, stone-ground, no additives. The same quality that Vonckelend serves daily on Rokin and that was served at the OYSHO event.

Order directly via order matcha or view the entire assortment. Delivery the next working day throughout the Netherlands, from Amsterdam to Almere, from Zaandam to Utrecht.

Prefer to taste it first? Stop by Vonckelend at Rokin 81 in Amsterdam. Open 7 days a week. Ask for the ceremonial matcha from Unmatched Matcha.

Frequently asked questions about OYSHO and matcha

Which matcha was served at the OYSHO run?

For the King's Day event, OYSHO collaborated with Vonckelend, the poffertjes shop at Rokin 81 in Amsterdam. Vonckelend provided catering with fresh poffertjes and ceremonial matcha. The matcha that Vonckelend serves is Unmatched Matcha, sourced from the Kagoshima region in Japan. This is how the OYSHO community was introduced to ceremonial quality.

What is the OYSHO running club in Amsterdam?

The OYSHO running club is a community initiative of the sports and lifestyle brand OYSHO (part of Inditex/Zara). They regularly organize running events, yoga sessions, and sporty community activities in Amsterdam, often starting from their store at Kalverstraat 42.

Why do runners drink matcha?

Matcha offers three benefits for runners: EGCG stimulates fat burning by approximately 17% during exercise, L-theanine supports mental relaxation and recovery after the run, and antioxidants protect muscles against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. In addition, matcha contains no sugar and no artificial additives.

Where can I order the matcha from the OYSHO run?

The ceremonial matcha from Unmatched Matcha can be ordered online via unmatched-matcha.com. Ordered today, delivered tomorrow throughout the Netherlands. You can also taste the matcha at Vonckelend at Rokin 81 in Amsterdam.

Does OYSHO organize runs in Amsterdam more often?

Yes. OYSHO regularly organizes community runs and sporting events in Amsterdam. Check their events page on oysho.com for the current schedule. The OYSHO running club is open to anyone who wants to join.

Matcha, running, and community: it just fits

What struck me at the OYSHO run was how naturally matcha fit into the moment. People crossed the finish line sweaty and happy, received a cup of matcha in their hands, and you could see the effect in real time: the calm that set in, the curiosity about the taste, the amazement that matcha can be so smooth.

That is exactly why Dominique and Benck started Unmatched Matcha. They fell in love with matcha abroad and couldn't find that quality in the Netherlands. Now, after nine months of testing and a growing community of matcha drinkers, their matcha is reaching more and more people. From daily home drinkers to runners at the OYSHO run. And that is just the beginning.

Curious? Order Unmatched Matcha and taste what the OYSHO community tasted. Or join us next time and drink your matcha fresh on Rokin.