Sopha Dopha's highly anticipated new Matcha beverage has encountered significant online criticism mere hours after becoming available in stores across Australia. The ice-cold drink represents a collaboration between 22-year-old social media influencer Sophia Begg, known professionally as Sopha Dopha, and the prominent wellness brand Tropeaka.
Negative Reviews Flood Social Media Platforms
Almost immediately following the product's Thursday launch, TikTok content creator Danib1023 shared a video clip featuring herself and several female friends sampling the flavoured beverage. The reaction was overwhelmingly negative, with one participant declaring "That's so terrible" while another labelled it "so bad." A third taster went further, describing the drink as "feral" despite its marketing as a "Japanese Matcha in a smooth and creamy oak milk latte." Another reviewer drew an unflattering comparison, stating the beverage reminded her distinctly of "Play-Doh."
Influencer Verdicts Prove Damaging
The critical video, captioned "Not good at all," rapidly gained traction, accumulating over 704,500 views on the platform. Meanwhile, another TikTok account, ElitentitledAU, posted their own assessment with the caption "We tried the viral Sopha Dopha matcha cans, and this is our honest review..." featuring digital marketing director Jess Lima alongside social media manager Amelia Duff.
Their tasting session proved equally unflattering for the new product. Jess Lima expressed her disappointment, stating "I feel like I'm tasting water after something accidentally fell into it." Even when sampling the strawberry-flavoured Matcha variant, the pair remained unimpressed, with Lima laughing while admitting "I can't even rate it." Despite declaring their admiration for Sopha Dopha herself, who boasts 1.4 million followers, they cautiously encouraged viewers to try the beverage themselves.
Consumer Backlash Over Product Authenticity
The negative reviews prompted dozens of comments from followers questioning the product's authenticity. Many criticized the beverage for being more of a "milk drink" than genuine matcha, which is traditionally celebrated as a healthy alternative to conventional tea and coffee. One disappointed follower commented "I love Soph, but honestly, these should be called oat milk drinks, not matcha in the slightest," while another agreed emphatically: "It doesn’t even taste like matcha."
Some Supporters Emerge Amid Criticism
Despite the overwhelming negative feedback, some supporters defended the new product on social media platforms. On Instagram, one enthusiastic fan declared it "The best matcha ever ❤️," while another described it as "Chef kiss so good." A third convert commented "I wasn’t sure about the white chocolate but I’m actually now a convert!" indicating the beverage has found at least some appreciative consumers.
Product Launch and Market Context
The controversial drink launched officially on Thursday, with availability advertised at 7-Eleven convenience stores throughout Australia. Matcha, which originates from Japan, is produced from the Camellia Sinensis plant ground into a fine powder. The beverage has gained substantial global popularity in recent years, significantly boosted by the expanding wellness trend that emphasizes health-conscious consumption.
This launch represents Sopha Dopha's entry into the competitive beverage market, leveraging her substantial social media following of 1.4 million followers. The collaboration with established wellness brand Tropeaka was clearly designed to capitalize on both the influencer's popularity and the growing consumer interest in matcha-based products. However, the immediate and vocal backlash from key social media influencers and consumers suggests the product may face significant challenges in gaining market acceptance despite its high-profile launch.
