Independent designer Kelin Carolyn Zhang was inspired to bring the viral chocolate muffins from the Olympic Village in Tokyo to New York City after seeing Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen’s TikTok videos raving about them. Zhang worked with New York City cafe Isshiki Matcha to import the muffins from French supplier Coup de pates, facing challenges such as customs and FDA approval along the way. Despite obstacles like a small refrigerated truck and criticism over the hype, Zhang and Isshiki Matcha successfully sold 263 muffins to eager New Yorkers. The event, priced at $10 per muffin, also helped promote the matcha cafe and provided a fun and inclusive experience for those watching the Olympics from afar. Zhang described the muffins as light, moist, and not too sweet, and hopes to bring more in the future. While plans for another batch are still in the works, Zhang emphasized the importance of having fun and being a little silly in life. The experience of bringing the viral muffins to a new audience was the most cherished part for Zhang, and she encouraged others to try new things and enjoy the journey along the way.
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