Write an article about Millions of videos on social media demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional ‘chasen’ bamboo whisk. (Envato Elements pic)
PARIS: Matcha is the drink of choice at hip cafés worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea.
The global matcha market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, but it could be hit by US president Donald Trump’s tariffs on Japanese products – currently 10%, with a hike to 24% on the cards.
Shortages and tariffs mean matcha producers worldwide are faced with high demand from business owners and consumers eager to get their green fix before supplies run out – and, consequently, are forced to raise prices.
Here’s what you need to know about the drink beloved by weekend treat-seekers and wellness influencers.
What is it?
The word matcha means “ground tea” in Japanese, which is why it comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte.
Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes. Matcha came much later, in 16th-century Kyoto – part of the tea ceremony tradition developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Today, there are different grades of matcha quality, from “ceremonial” to “culinary” types used in baking.
How is it produced?
Matcha is made from leaves called tencha, which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavour, colour and nutrients.
This “requires the construction of a complex structure with poles and a roof to filter the light”, explained Masahiro Okutomi, a tea producer in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo.
Rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, tencha leaves are hand-picked and deveined, then steamed, dried and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder.
It can take up to an hour to produce just 40g of matcha – making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves.
Thanks to its rich, robust flavour, matcha is increasingly being used in cooking and baking, and is especially popular in desserts.
What are its benefits?
Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink’s nutritional properties.
It is rich in antioxidants, and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains 48mg on average, slightly less than a drip coffee but nearly twice as much as a standardly brewed green tea.
“Matcha is often seen as being good for your health,” said Shigehito Nishikida, manager of Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo.
“But people are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics.”
Why is it so popular?
Japan produced 4,176 tonnes of matcha in 2023 – a huge increase from the 1,430 tonnes in 2012.
More than half of the powder is exported, according to the country’s agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Millions of videos on social media demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional “chasen” bamboo whisk.
“I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to do so,” Stevie Youssef, a 31-year-old marketing professional, told AFP at a matcha bar in Los Angeles.
Matcha can also be used in cooking and baking, especially desserts, extending its appeal to others aside from tea lovers.
“Some customers simply enjoy drinking it, others like preparing it themselves. And of course, many buy it as a gift, as Japanese matcha is always appreciated,” added Nishikida.
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Millions of videos on social media demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional ‘chasen’ bamboo whisk. (Envato Elements pic)
PARIS: Matcha is the drink of choice at hip cafés worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea.
The global matcha market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, but it could be hit by US president Donald Trump’s tariffs on Japanese products – currently 10%, with a hike to 24% on the cards.
Shortages and tariffs mean matcha producers worldwide are faced with high demand from business owners and consumers eager to get their green fix before supplies run out – and, consequently, are forced to raise prices.
Here’s what you need to know about the drink beloved by weekend treat-seekers and wellness influencers.
What is it?
The word matcha means “ground tea” in Japanese, which is why it comes in the form of a vivid green powder that is whisked with hot water and can be added to milk to make a matcha latte.
Green tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early ninth century, and was first used for medicinal purposes. Matcha came much later, in 16th-century Kyoto – part of the tea ceremony tradition developed by tea master Sen no Rikyu.
Today, there are different grades of matcha quality, from “ceremonial” to “culinary” types used in baking.
How is it produced?
Matcha is made from leaves called tencha, which are grown in the shade in the final weeks before their harvest to concentrate the flavour, colour and nutrients.
This “requires the construction of a complex structure with poles and a roof to filter the light”, explained Masahiro Okutomi, a tea producer in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo.
Rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, tencha leaves are hand-picked and deveined, then steamed, dried and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder.
It can take up to an hour to produce just 40g of matcha – making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves.
Thanks to its rich, robust flavour, matcha is increasingly being used in cooking and baking, and is especially popular in desserts.
What are its benefits?
Many drink matcha for its rich grass-like taste, but others are drawn to the drink’s nutritional properties.
It is rich in antioxidants, and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains 48mg on average, slightly less than a drip coffee but nearly twice as much as a standardly brewed green tea.
“Matcha is often seen as being good for your health,” said Shigehito Nishikida, manager of Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo.
“But people are also attracted to the Japanese culture around tea: the ritual, the time taken, the aesthetics.”
Why is it so popular?
Japan produced 4,176 tonnes of matcha in 2023 – a huge increase from the 1,430 tonnes in 2012.
More than half of the powder is exported, according to the country’s agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Millions of videos on social media demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional “chasen” bamboo whisk.
“I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to do so,” Stevie Youssef, a 31-year-old marketing professional, told AFP at a matcha bar in Los Angeles.
Matcha can also be used in cooking and baking, especially desserts, extending its appeal to others aside from tea lovers.
“Some customers simply enjoy drinking it, others like preparing it themselves. And of course, many buy it as a gift, as Japanese matcha is always appreciated,” added Nishikida.
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