Dec 23, 2025 - Food and Drink

A kawaii matcha business opens up

Linh Ta

Left: Close-up of a green matcha drink in a clear cup with a pink ribbon and label reading "Matcha LUV" held by a person with decorated nails and sunglasses. Right: Three matcha drinks topped with a candy cane, marshmallows, and a gingerbread cookie, surrounded by fall leaves. — Aylin Silva holding a matcha (left) and her holiday drinks (right). Photos: Courtesy of Silva

A Des Moines woman is renovating a retro RV to take her matcha pop-up business on the road this spring.

Driving the news: Aylin Silva is transforming the camper into a mobile shop for Matcha Luv, her pastel-pink, kawaii-inspired brand.

How it started: Silva has long been drawn to Japanese culture, including anime and cuisine. She first entered the local food scene by selling mini pancakes at the Grimes Farmers Market, including a Hello Kitty-shaped variety.

Customers kept asking if she offered coffee or drinks to pair with the treats, and as a matcha fan with her own whisk at home, she decided to give it a try.
She launched Matcha Luv this year at the Grimes and Valley Junction farmers markets, matching her cute, pink aesthetic.

The big picture: Silva's goal is to debut the renovated RV this spring, allowing her to book private events and expand to more farmers' markets.

This winter, she's offering doorstep matcha deliveries across Des Moines, with seasonal flavors like gingerbread, crème brûlée and toasted marshmallow ($8 each).
Orders are taken through Instagram DMs.

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A kawaii matcha business opens up

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