At left, the Matcha green tea at Hot Lips Coffee Shop in Cathedral City, Calif., August 1, 2024. Opposite, a barista prepares an iced Matcha latte. Matcha powder is made from shade-grown green tea leaves that are ground to a fine powder, Matcha is known for its high levels of antioxidants.
© Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK + © ALEX HICKS JR./SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Japan) – The growing popularity of green tea is causing some headaches in Japan. Plainly stated, the tea leaves are in such high demand, supply is running thin. The market has experienced heightened demand for both loose green tea leaves — as used in steeped tea — and for matcha. That’s the tea powder made from pulverized green tea leaves. It’s been exploding in popularity as well.
A statement from the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries points to new data. It indicates Japan nearly tripled its growth of green tea from 2010 to 2023. Over half of that crop was exported.
Agricultural experts say green tea is a difficult crop to grow at scale, because it takes years for the plan to reach maturity. Green tea processing equipment is also notoriously expensive. Meanwhile, nutrition experts say green tea’s heightened popularity is at least partially linked to its perceived health benefits. Content creators on social media have also pushed green tea in recent years. Apparently the United Arab Emirates is Japan’s top consumer of green tea.
