Exploring Identities - What is Third Culture?
The term “third culture kids” (or TCK) is defined as “children who were raised in a culture that is different from that of their parents.” TCK are often categorized in a type of “twilight zone,” having to assimilate into a culture they cannot completely relate to with their parents. Some kids struggle adjusting to their new world, while others are able to see the beauty in learning and assimilating.
Having grown up as third culture kids themselves, Third Culture Bakery owners Sam Butarbutar and Wenter Shyu have both taken this TCK definition to heart. All of Third Culture Bakery’s ingredients are organically sourced from both local and international family-owned businesses, blended together to create something inspired by their own cultural upbringings.
While their baked goods and drinks are delicious, their message to the world is something even greater.
Inside the Berkeley showroom, Sam and Wenter took it a step further and built their brand with bright rainbow colors, showing their loud and active support for the LGBTQ+ community. Each year, they commit a portion of their budget to donations with local nonprofits such as The Trevor Project, Berkeley Humane, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the SF LGBT Center. Third Culture believes that when you put out good into the world, good will follow in return. Of course, a brand doesn’t gain widespread recognition without a bit of resistance.
A customer came in one day and made a comment about how they didn’t want a rainbow sticker on their dessert box, and that Third Culture should not be exposing people to such things. Instead of adhering to the comment and changing their company, Sam and Wenter wore it as a badge of honor and responded by creating their company mantra,
“Speak your truth, even if your voice shakes.”
Photo courtesy of Third Culture Bakery
Inspired by the company’s brand and mission, PbP reached out to Third Culture for a chance to connect and spread awareness in both our shared environment and the LGBTQ+ community. Wenter Shyu gave us his response:
What is Third Culture doing to support the AAPI/Queer community?
As queer Asian immigrants, we fully understand what it’s like to operate in a system that wasn’t quite designed to favoring us, so aside from offering representation and living our queer lives very loudly every damn day, we donate a portion of our sales every month to queer or immigration-focused causes like TurnOUT SF, SF AIDS FOUNDATION, 1951 COFFEE COMPANY, THE BLACK JUSTICE COALITION, and more. We currently are also assembling and distributing over 12,000+ safety kits to AAPI elders, senior homes, community centers and also to Trans and LatinX organizations as well.
(If you’re looking to support these safety kits, click here for more information)
What are your suggestions for people who want to support the AAPI/Queer community?
To stop talking about it and do something about it. Donate, speak out and educate your friends and family members on what equity looks like and why queers and AAPI folks are demanding such. Volunteer or reach out to non-profit groups to see what you can do to help. And help folks and organizations in a way that THEY want to be helped - not the way you want to help and are comfortable with.
PbP’s campaign for 2021 addresses environmental sustainability. What are your views on environmental justice being an AAPI/Queer-owned company?
Sam and I’s views on environmental justice comes as being humans on this planet and not views from an AAPI or queer individual. We both believe that we have to educate and make aware of environmental issues to not just newer generations but all generations, especially the ones before us where life did not have the complications we’re currently facing now and for a long time to come. It’s a fundamental human issue and as a business, we already commit that all of our packaging is either compostable or recyclable and we reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible. Sam is a Toxicology major from Cal Berkeley, so he is very much passionate about organic matters and how it relates to and impacts our day-to-day lives.
If you haven’t tried the trademarked Mochi Muffin® from Third Culture Bakery, we can genuinely say that you are missing out on something special. Its soft, chewy texture and slightly sweet taste is incredibly unique and comes to you in a variety of flavors. In addition to their showrooms, Third Culture partners with over 60 shops around the Bay Area, spreading the love daily with their signature desserts.
Check out the Berkeley showroom for the full menu, or see if a coffee shop near you sells the iconic Mochi Muffin®. Big thanks to Third Culture Bakery for giving us the opportunity to connect, and Happy Pride!