Matcha from Japanese Ritual to Global Obsession

PRADAKSHINA SARMAH

Matcha is deeply rooted in Japanese Culture, as well as Zen Buddhism. Although the powdered tea originated in China. It was brought to Japan in the 12^th century by the Buddhist Monk Myoan Eisai, who believed it promoted a unique state of calm alertness during meditation.

Over time, Matcha evolved beyond a simple beverage to become a central element of Japanese tea ceremony, or Chado (“The Way of Tea”), symbolising harmony, respect, purity and tranquillity.

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, color and nutrients.

Tencha leaves, rich in chlorophyll and L-theamine, a compound known for its relaxing effects, are hand-picked, then steamed, dried and ground between two stone mills to produce an ultra-fine powder.

Matcha Serves comfort and healthy benefits

Matcha is rich in antioxidants and can aid concentration because of its caffeine content: one cup contains an 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, 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 agriculture ministry, mostly to the United States, SoutheastAsia, 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 to prepareit. Matcha mania can be seen among Genz the most.

Do You Know?

In India, tea is not just a beverage; it is an emotion and a culinary culture that marks the beginning of the day and has also been part of evening time for generations. While we have witnessed a wide range of teas in India, one trend that has seen a wide range shift is that of Matcha tea

Matcha just got desi!

An estate in Assam’s Tinsukia district has created history by producing and launching India’s first ever commercially manufactured Matcha tea.

Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in the Upper Assam district successfully produced and launched the premium green tea product, with the first lot selling at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre for Rs 13,000.

According to reports,5kg batch of matcha produced at the Chota Tingrai Tea Estate in Assam’s Tinsukia District was sold for 3,000 at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) to a Guwahati-based buyer.

According to The Indian Express report, the tea estate has set up a Japanese tea manufacturing facility on their estate in 2016 and had been working with experts from the country since then to produce green tea.

The Chief Minister also called it a “resounding success” of Indo-Japan collaboration and said that the initiative represents innovation in Assam’s tea industry and is expected to create new opportunities for tea producers while enhancing the state’s position in the global tea market.

What matcha’s evolution says?

There is something striking about watching a drink once associated with silence, precision and deliberate preparation become one of the world’s most photographed drinks.

The story of matcha says as much about modern culture as it does about teaitself. Modern consumers rarely adopt traditions intact. They adapt them to contemporary habits, preferences and platforms. Matcha became portable, customizable and aesthetically pleasing enough to circulate across millions of social media feeds, yet practical enough to become someone’s everyday order.

Many food crazes thrive on novelty and disappear once the excitement fades. Matcha survived because it found a place in people’s daily lives. It satisfies the rituals that coffee once dominated while appealing to a generation drawn to wellness and visual culture.

Its future may look very different from its past. The bowl of tea once prepared slowly in Japanese tea rooms now appears in takeaway cups across Paris, London and New York. Yet perhaps that has always been the story of food as it travels. It does not simply cross borders. It is reshaped by the people who adopt it and, in turn, it becomes part of their everyday routines.

Matcha losing its cultural identity in the process of becoming a worldwide obsession

Like coffee, matcha is more than just a drink; it’s a symbol of ritual, wellness, and ancient traditions. The recent global craze is less about matcha itself and more about strategic marketing.

But if we lose ourselves entirely to the hype, we risk forgetting matcha’s deep cultural roots. However, with thoughtful stewardship, shared intent, and a commitment to both innovation and integrity, matcha’s modern identity can still honour its tradition.

Bottom line: Matcha has become a global obsession, admired for its health benefits and versatility. However, as its popularity continues to grow, it is equally important to preserve and protect its rich Japanese cultural identity. Respecting its traditions, promoting sustainable cultivation, and appreciating its historical significance will ensure that matcha remains more than a passing trend it will continue to be a timeless symbol of heritage, mindfulness, and authenticity.

References:

1.Matcha Mania: How ancient tea became modern obsessionDaily Sabah

2.The Matcha Boom Continues to Drive the World’s Fastest Growing Tea

3. Matcha is taking over, but is it losing its cultural identity in the process?

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