Matcha: The Japanese tea taking over the world
Caroline Gardin, with Romain Fonsegrives in Los Angeles Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea.
Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and "wellness" influencers:
What is matcha?
The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and 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.
The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese, and 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. AFP
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.
Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, 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 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of matcha -- making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves.
This picture shows bags of tea in a tea processing factory in Sayama. AFP
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 on average 48 milligrams, 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," he said.
This Photo shows Matcha with its deep grassy aroma and intense colour. AFP
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 agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Millions of videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional "chasen" bamboo whisk.
This picture shows a bowl of matcha, at a shop in Tokyo. AFP
"I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on social media 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, 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 -- Japanese matcha is always appreciated," said Jugetsudo's Nishikida.
Agence France Presse
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Etihad
8 hours ago
- Al Etihad
France bans smoking on beaches, in parks and bus shelters
28 June 2025 11:12 PARIS (AFP)France will ban smoking on beaches and in parks, public gardens and bus shelters from Sunday, the government decree, published in the official government gazette on Saturday, will also ban smoking outside libraries, swimming pools and schools, and is aimed at protecting children from passive decree did not mention electronic cigarettes. Violaters of the ban will face a fine of 135 euros ($158).'Tobacco must disappear from places where there are children,' Health and Family Minister Catherine Vautrin had said in May, underscoring 'the right of children to breathe pure air.'Cafe terraces are excluded from the 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France. According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62 percent) favor a smoking ban in public places.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
TikTok Unveils Expansion of Global Mental Health Fund and Innovative Safety Tools to Champion Digital Well-Being in Africa
TikTok ( today hosted its inaugural Digital Well-being Summit in Johannesburg, bringing together policymakers, mental health experts, NGOs, and industry leaders across Sub-Saharan Africa. Delegates from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and beyond gathered to further strengthen efforts to support and protect community well-being on the platform. The summit provided a platform for open dialogue on enhancing online safety tools, promoting digital literacy and access to experts, fostering a balanced online environment. A comprehensive suite of new tools and partnerships were introduced, including the expansion of TikTok's global $2.3 million mental health fund to Sub-Saharan Africa, expanded local in-app helplines, and an industry-first meditation feature for all TikTok users. The event also spotlighted ongoing efforts such as TikTok's #MentalHealthMatters campaign, which continues to promote positive mental health practices across the globe. Together, these actions are designed to support balanced digital habits, providing communities with access to reliable information. "We commend the private sector's efforts to foster digital literacy and create a safer online environment for all. Such efforts reflect the government and the private sector's collective responsibility to inspire creativity, empower communities and connect young people to the digital world," added Hon. Minister Siviwe Gwarube, Minister of Basic Education, South Africa. Bringing in-app meditation to our entire community As part of its commitment to empowering users to manage their online experience, TikTok has introduced a guided meditation experience in Sleep Hours – an in-app well-being experience automatically enabled at 22:00 for all users under the age of 18. Anyone above this age can choose to turn it on. This feature, the first of its kind in the industry, was piloted in March 2025 and is available worldwide. Research shows that mindful meditation can improve sleep quality, helping young users wind down and build healthier night-time routines. The introduction of this tool reinforces TikTok's mission to support digital well-being by fostering better sleep hygiene and emotional regulation, particularly for teens and adolescents navigating the pressures of a hyper-connected world. 'People come to TikTok to learn, share their experiences, and connect with communities around the world. That's why we're proud to introduce tools that not only support digital wellbeing, but also empower our community, especially young users, with a safe, supportive space to explore and navigate complex emotions,' said Valiant Richey, TikTok Global Head of Trust and Safety Outreach and Partnerships. TikTok's Mental Health Education Fund Expands to Support African Organsiations At the summit, TikTok also announced the expansion of its $2.3 million global Mental Health Education Fund to include organisations from Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the platform's commitment to supporting mental health education across the continent. With this expansion, three Sub-Saharan African organisations have been selected as inaugural regional recipients, including the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative, and Kenya's Mental360. These organisations will receive funding and platform support to develop locally relevant, evidence-based content that raises awareness, reduces stigma, and encourages open dialogue around mental health in African communities. TikTok created the Mental Health Education Fund in 2023 to support organisations in creating authoritative, engaging and uplifting mental health content. Globally, the Fund has so far helped organisations gain more than 173 million impressions on their content, more than 600,000 new followers for their accounts, prompted more than 200,000 web visits, and helped recruit 486 new volunteers, thanks to a combined $7.3 million in ad credit donations. Expansion of In-App Mental Health Helplines Across Africa Building on a successful pilot in France and subsequent rollout across European countries, TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources across Africa. In the coming weeks, users of some countries in Africa will have access to local helplines in-app that provide expert support when reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment. This feature builds on existing capabilities that direct users to mental health resources when they report bullying and harassment, further strengthening access to timely and relevant support on the platform. These partners can offer assistance including counselling, advice, free psychological support, and other essential services to those in need. While TikTok reviews reported content and removes violations of Community Guidelines, users can connect with these partner organisations to receive personal support, should they need it. TikTok announces Mental Health Ambassadors to support online wellbeing in Africa As part of its ongoing partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), TikTok has officially introduced its new Mental Health Ambassadors, a diverse group of verified healthcare professionals from the WHO Fides Network. The inaugural cohort of Mental Health Ambassadors includes: Sanam Naran: (South Africa) Dr Claire Kinuthia (Kenya) Doctor Wales (Nigeria) Doctor Siya (South Africa) Commitment to Digital Safety and Innovation The Digital Well-Being Summit underscores TikTok's broader strategy to proactively address digital harms through innovation, collaboration, and empathy. By combining safety technology, expert partnerships, and community engagement, TikTok continues to lead the way in creating responsible, empowering online environments for African users. "At Spectra, we are excited to be partnering with TikTok and believe technology should enhance human wellbeing and ensure safety at every touchpoint. Our partnership with TikTok for the Summit reflects our shared vision of creating digital environments that are not only innovative, but also secure and supportive. Together, we're advancing solutions that prioritise both mental health and online safety for communities everywhere." Yusuf Akoojee, Marketing Director at Spectra. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TikTok. Additional information: Media contacts: Keagile Makgoba Head: Communications, Sub-Saharan Africa keagile.m@ Pereruan Kenana Kenya&East Africa Communications Lead Itumeleng Morule South Africa&Southern Africa Communications Lead About TikTok: TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok's global headquarters are in Los Angeles and Singapore, and its offices include New York, London, Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. About Spectra: Spectra creates experiences through devices that offer timeless design, effortless sophistication, and empowering innovation. Every product in our collection is a testament to precision, style, and unparalleled functionality. From our sleek smartphones to our sophisticated watches and versatile tablets, each Spectra product balances performance with unmatched style.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Gulf Today
Matcha: The Japanese tea taking over the world
Caroline Gardin, with Romain Fonsegrives in Los Angeles Matcha is the new drink of choice at hip cafes worldwide, but Japanese producers are struggling to keep up with soaring demand for the powdered green tea. Here's what you need to know about the drink beloved of weekend treat-seekers and "wellness" influencers: What is matcha? The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese and 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. The word matcha means "ground tea" in Japanese, and 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. AFP 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. Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theanine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, 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 40 grams (1.4 ounces) of matcha -- making the powder on average twice as expensive to produce as standard green tea leaves. This picture shows bags of tea in a tea processing factory in Sayama. AFP 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 on average 48 milligrams, 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," he said. This Photo shows Matcha with its deep grassy aroma and intense colour. AFP 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 agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia and the Middle East. Millions of videos on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube demonstrate how to make photogenic matcha drinks or choose a traditional "chasen" bamboo whisk. This picture shows a bowl of matcha, at a shop in Tokyo. AFP "I feel like Gen Z really drove this enthusiasm for matcha, and they heavily relied on social media 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, 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 -- Japanese matcha is always appreciated," said Jugetsudo's Nishikida. Agence France Presse
