DSE说话 | 2026年真题:抹茶与社交媒体

Part A: Group Interaction (小组讨论)

Topic: Matcha and Social Media

Which foods and beverages are popular on social media?

社交媒体上哪些食物和饮品比较有名？

How can social media influence people's food and drink choices?

社交媒体如何影响人们对食物和饮品的选择？

What are the opportunities and challenges the matcha industry may face due to social media?

受社交媒体影响，抹茶行业可能面临哪些机遇与挑战？

Anything else you think is important

其他你认为重要的话题

今天的话题稍微有点奇怪

我个人觉得乍一看不难

仔细思考思路还是有点复杂的

Q1: Which foods and beverages are popular on social media?

Visual appeal: Foods that look beautiful and colourful get more attention. Matcha latte has a bright green colour that looks great in photos. Bubble tea is popular because of its colourful layers and fun toppings like tapioca pearls. Smoothie bowls are decorated with fruits and nuts in rainbow colours. People love taking pictures of drinks with beautiful patterns before drinking them. The more "Instagrammable" the food looks, the more likely it will go viral.

Novelty and uniqueness: Unusual food combinations attract curiosity. Croffles, which mix croissant and waffle, became famous because people had never seen them before. Dalgona coffee went viral during the pandemic because it looked fun to make at home. Dirty cookies and rainbow cakes also became trends because they looked different from normal food. When something is new and unique, people want to try it and share online.

Challenge and participation: Food challenges encourage people to join and share. Spicy noodle challenges are popular because people film themselves eating extremely spicy food. Large-size drink challenges or trying all flavours of a brand also get many views. These challenges turn eating into entertainment. When people see others doing challenges, they want to try themselves and post their own videos.

Celebrity and influencer effect: When famous people post about certain foods, fans follow. If a K-pop star drinks a specific bubble tea brand, fans will buy the same one. Food bloggers review new products and their followers trust their opinions. Many young people check food influencers to find out what's worth trying. This creates a cycle where popular foods become even more popular online.

Q2: How can social media influence people's food choices?

Exposure and awareness: Social media shows people foods from different cultures. Someone in Hong Kong can see food trends from Korea, Japan, or America easily. Before social media, people mostly knew local foods. Now they discover matcha, bubble tea, or smoothie bowls from other countries. This makes them curious and want to try new things. The more they see a certain food, the more normal it feels to try it.

Peer influence and FOMO: When friends try a new food, others want to try too. This is called peer influence. FOMO means "fear of missing out" — people don't want to be left behind. When a new drink goes viral, young people rush to buy it because everyone is talking about it. They want to post photos too and be part of the trend. This creates a bandwagon effect where more and more people join.

Reviews and recommendations: Many people check online reviews before trying new food. Food bloggers and influencers give honest opinions that people trust. If a blogger says a matcha latte is good, their followers will go try it. Hashtags like #foodie or #matchalover help people find recommendations easily. Positive reviews can make a small shop famous overnight.

Packaging and presentation: Cute cups, unique bottles, and special packaging attract attention. People buy drinks just because the cup looks nice and they want to take photos. Limited edition packaging creates excitement and makes people buy quickly before it sells out. The packaging becomes part of the experience and gets shared online for free advertising.

Q3: What opportunities might the matcha industry face due to social media?

Opportunities:

Global exposure: Social media helps matcha reach customers all over the world. People in countries that never knew about matcha can now discover it through posts. Japanese matcha brands can become famous internationally without spending much on advertising. Small matcha shops can attract tourists who saw them on social media. This opens up huge new markets for matcha products.

Creative product development: Matcha can be used in many new ways. Besides drinks, there are matcha cakes, cookies, ice cream, and even noodles. Some brands make matcha skincare products or snacks. This creativity keeps the trend fresh and interesting. Young people enjoy trying new matcha products and sharing them online.

Health and wellness trend: Matcha is seen as a healthy alternative to coffee or soda. It contains antioxidants and gives calm energy without the crash. Many health influencers promote matcha as part of a healthy lifestyle. This fits well with the growing wellness trend among young people. The healthy image makes parents more willing to let their kids drink matcha too.

Challenges:

Intense competition: Because matcha is popular, many brands sell similar products. It becomes hard for small shops to stand out. Big brands can spend more on marketing and attract more customers. Shops need to be creative to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Quality control issues: Some products use low-quality matcha powder but still call themselves matcha. Customers may try bad matcha and think they don't like it. Real matcha should be high quality with the right colour and taste. Social media can spread both good and bad reviews quickly. One bad experience shared online can hurt a brand's reputation.

Cultural appropriation concerns: Matcha has a long history in Japanese tea culture. Some people worry that social media makes it just another trendy drink without respect for traditions. The traditional tea ceremony is very different from modern matcha lattes. There is a risk that the cultural meaning gets lost. Matcha businesses need to balance modern products with respect for tradition.

Q4: Anything else important?

Sustainability issues: Trendy drinks often come with plastic cups and straws. This creates a lot of waste that harms the environment. Some customers now care about whether brands use eco-friendly packaging. Matcha shops that care about sustainability can attract more customers. Reducing waste while keeping the trend going is an important challenge.

Balance between tradition and modernity: It is good to create new matcha products, but tradition should not be forgotten. Teaching customers about matcha's history can add value to the product. Some people might want to experience traditional matcha preparation too. Shops could offer both modern drinks and traditional experiences. This helps keep the culture alive while still following trends.

Health concerns about sugar: Many matcha drinks on social media contain lots of sugar. Matcha lattes from cafés often have sweeteners and syrups. This makes them less healthy than people think. Some customers might not realise how much sugar they are drinking. Shops could offer less sugary options and educate customers about healthier choices.

关于个人回答部分

Part B Individual Response

Do you like matcha?
你喜欢抹茶吗？

What is your favourite food or drink?
你最喜欢的食物或饮品是什么？

Why has matcha become more popular nowadays?
为什么抹茶如今变得越来越受欢迎？

Would you like to try different matcha foods or drinks?
你愿意尝试不同种类的抹茶类食物或饮品吗？

Do you want to learn a traditional craft or skill?
你想要学习一项传统工艺或技能吗？

Will matcha replace other soft drinks?
抹茶会取代其他软饮吗？

How can we promote traditional food in society?
我们该如何在社会中推广传统食物？

Do you think traditional food culture, such as matcha, should be protected?
你认为像抹茶这类传统饮食文化是否应该被保护？

1. Do you like matcha?

Yes, I really like matcha because it has a unique taste that is slightly bitter but also refreshing. I enjoy drinking matcha lattes, especially when I need to relax after studying. Sometimes I also eat matcha-flavoured desserts like ice cream or cakes when I go out with friends. I think matcha is not only delicious but also healthier than many other sweet drinks. Overall, I would say matcha has become one of my favourite flavours.

2. What is your favourite food or drink?

My favourite drink is milk tea, especially when it's made with less sugar and more milk. I like it because it's sweet and creamy, and it always makes me feel happy and relaxed. I often drink it when I'm studying late at night or hanging out with friends at a café. I also really enjoy eating pizza, especially ones with lots of cheese and fresh vegetables. For me, pizza is the perfect comfort food after a long and tiring day at school.

3. Why has matcha become more popular nowadays?

Matcha has become more popular mainly because it is seen as a healthy alternative to coffee or sugary sodas. Many young people share beautiful photos of matcha drinks on social media, which makes others want to try them too. It also looks very attractive with its bright green colour, especially in lattes or desserts. More cafés and shops now offer matcha-flavoured products, so it's easier to find than before. As a result, matcha has become a trendy and fashionable drink among teenagers and young adults.

4. Would you like to try different matcha foods or drinks?

Yes, I would definitely love to try more matcha products in the future. So far, I have only tried matcha latte and matcha ice cream, which were both really nice. I am curious to taste matcha cheesecake, matcha mochi, or even matcha noodles if they exist. It would be interesting to see how matcha can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. I think exploring new flavours is always exciting and a great way to enjoy food.

5. Do you want to learn a traditional craft or skill?

Yes, I would really like to learn a traditional craft such as Chinese calligraphy or Japanese tea-making. These skills are not only beautiful but also carry deep cultural meaning and history. Learning them would help me understand and respect my traditions better. It could also become a relaxing and meaningful hobby for me after school or during holidays. I believe it is important to keep these traditional skills alive for future generations.

6. Will matcha replace other soft drinks?

I don't think matcha will completely replace other soft drinks like cola or lemonade. Soft drinks are still very popular because they are sweet, cheap, and easy to find everywhere. However, matcha might become a more common choice for people who care about health and natural ingredients. It offers a different taste and experience that soft drinks cannot provide. In the end, I believe both matcha and soft drinks can exist together and serve different needs.

7. How can we promote traditional food in society?

We can promote traditional food by using social media to share stories and photos of local dishes. Schools can also play an important role by teaching students about the history and cultural meaning of traditional foods. Restaurants can offer traditional meals with a modern twist to attract younger customers. Food festivals and cultural events are also great opportunities for people to try and learn about traditional food. By doing these things, we can help更多人 appreciate and enjoy their own food culture.

8. Do you think traditional food culture should be protected?

Yes, I strongly believe that traditional food culture should be protected and passed down. It represents our history, identity, and the values that have been shared for generations. If we lose traditional foods, we also lose an important part of who we are as a community. We can protect it by cooking traditional meals at home and teaching younger family members how to make them. In my opinion, food is not just about eating—it is also about memory, culture, and pride.

Okay 咱们下次见！