And to Top It All Off . . . a Matcha Shortage
Hope you enjoyed that iced matcha latte, because it’s about to get a whole lot harder to find. As a result of the drink’s rising popularity, CBS Mornings reports that matcha producers are struggling to keep up with increased demand. (Did you know the leaves used to make matcha are only harvested in the first few days of spring? More on that later.) What does that mean for your morning bev? A global matcha shortage is imminent. And with additional tariffs on Japanese imports, the only thing to do is brace yourself — and your taste buds — for impact.
It’s (almost) beautiful that the love for matcha is so strong, the world cannot keep up. According to the Global Japanese Tea Association, exports of Japanese tea have risen rapidly over the past few years — from a mere one percent of total production in the early 2000s, to approximately 10 percent in 2023. People love matcha in part for its umami taste, but also for its potential health benefits like enhanced mental clarity, decreased inflammation, and increased energy (without the coffee jitters). But when you understand all the work that goes into matcha production, it makes sense that high-quality matcha takes time to produce.
For context, matcha is a form of Japanese green tea made by grinding the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant into a fine powder. According to Uji Matcha, these tea plants have to be carefully shaded a few weeks before harvest in order to increase their levels of chlorophyll and the amino acid L-theanine (thus improving the taste and nutritional value). L-theanine may also give you a steadier, less anxiety-inducing boost of energy compared to something like coffee.
“There are, of course, a limited number of farmers that grow [Camellia sinensis plants], so demand is outpacing supply,” CBS Mornings reports. The Global Japanese Tea Association also says that — because high-quality matcha can only be harvested in the spring — it’s an inherently limited product, and seasonal shortages are to be expected.
Thankfully, it’s not all bad news. The Japanese government will be offering subsidies to help tea growers produce more matcha (and prevent any shortages down the line). Still, with a 24 percent tariff on Japanese imports and additional time needed for farmers to play catch up, you should expect to see the price tag on matcha products go up in the near future. Our advice? Stock up now, or savor the matcha you already have . . . while you still can.
Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.
