World's thirst for matcha dries up global supplies

Asian nations face issues exporting goods

The skyrocketing demand for a traditional Japanese tea called matcha has led to a global supply crunch. Countries that are biggest producers of matcha are facing challenges in keeping up with the demand and transporting goods across countries.

What is matcha and why is it in such high demand?

Matcha is a type of green tea made from finely ground Camellia sinensis leaves. It is grown and processed on a small scale and has a much higher caffeine content than regular green tea. Matcha also contains nutrients from the ground tea leaves, making it a popular beverage among health enthusiasts.

Solutions to the supply crunch

Recognizing the problem, the Japanese government is now urging farmers to increase production by expanding their tea plantations and finding ways to improve yields. Some companies are also importing tea leaves from China and blending them with Japanese leaves to make up for the shortfall, but this has proved controversial as the taste and quality don't compare to the real thing.

Looking to the future

With the world embracing matcha in a big way, it seems certain that the shortage is set to continue, at least until the industry can adapt and increase its supply.