Do people actually like and appreciate matcha, or is it just another trend to them? To those of Asian ethnicities, like me, matcha was never just a trend.
From ancient Chinese tea culture, matcha has evolved into a global phenomenon because of the power and influence of social media. The rise in popularity of matcha has led me to wonder, has the cultural significance of matcha been diminished? Or, could it be a good thing that the wonders of matcha are being spread across the globe?
According to Matcha Direct, the origins of matcha can be traced back to when tea drinking first began in China, initially as a medicinal practice. During the Tang Dynasty, there were significant changes in tea preparation and drinking methods, including the emergence of “compressed tea” or “brick tea.” Brick tea was often ground into powder for consumption and is hence considered a key precursor to modern-day matcha.
The powdered tea tradition travelled to Japan, where it took on a distinct evolution. According to Yamamasa Koyamaen, in the beginning of the Kamakura era, about 800 years ago, the Zen master Eisai, brought back tea seeds from the Song dynasty of China. This is thought to be the origin of tea culture in Japan.
According to the Japan Guide, when tea was introduced in Japan, it was drunk as a medicinal beverage mainly amongst priests and the upper class. It was not until the Muromachi Period that the beverage gained popularity among people of all social classes.
Among the affluent members of society, tea drinking parties were popular, where participants would show off their tea bowls and display their knowledge about tea. It was around that same time when a more refined version of tea parties developed with Zen-inspired simplicity and a great emphasis on spirituality. This was where the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, “chanoyu,” had its origins.
I had the opportunity in December 2024 to visit Kyoto, Japan, with my family, where we participated in a “chanoyu.” It was such an enlightening and peaceful experience, learning more about the art and history of matcha. I have loved drinking matcha for a long time, so learning the proper way the Japanese prepare tea was such an interesting experience.
The ceremony was held in a traditional tatami room, which was surrounded by a tranquil garden. My family and I walked in, observing silence and the proper manners as instructed by an assistant to the master, referred to as a “sensei.” We sat around the middle mat in a “seiza” position, a traditional and formal Japanese kneeling position for meditation and tea ceremonies. Upon taking our positions, the assistant served us a Japanese sweet each, meant to be eaten before the tea was drunk. The sweet was a lotus-flavored pastry in the shape of a maple leaf, in honor of it being autumn in Japan at the time.
The “sensei” then walked in the room gracefully, dressed in a traditional Japanese garment, a “kimono,” and carried out a series of motions which appeared to be a part of the tea ceremony ritual. She then proceeded to sit in a “seiza” position in the middle of the room, where the kettle, brazier, “chasen,” “chawan,” “chashaku,” and “natsume” were laid out.
Some of the equipment used in a “chanoyu” may be familiar to those who have hopped onto the matcha trend as portrayed on social media. The process of making matcha has simplified to requiring only the bamboo tea whisk, known as a “chasen,” and the ceremonial tea bowl, or “chawan.” These are now often sold together as a starter kit for matcha beginners, making it easy for the average consumer to experience some part of the traditional Japanese tea-making process.
When the trend first kicked in, I found that the Japanese tea culture had been subject to cultural appropriation, to the point where the process of making matcha, and matcha itself, was not considered so special anymore. Matcha powder, and even the tools required to make matcha, became so easily accessible that anyone and everyone could gain access to them and use them to their own pleasure. Worse, a number of influencers have found alternatives to the traditional way of making matcha, like swapping out the “chasen” for an electric frother.
Some concerns I noticed that came along with this trend were that because of that accessibility, the art, history and culture of matcha could become lost among the obsession of the trend. Furthermore, consequences of the growing trend became evident when the matcha shortage began in 2024, accelerating in 2025, and continuing till this day.
Manufacturers could not keep up with the rising demand for matcha, especially since growing and cultivating matcha can be a lengthy process.
However, perhaps with the increase in knowledge of matcha, more people around the world could have an increased appreciation for Japanese culture; “cultural appreciation” instead of “cultural appropriation.”
Additionally, matcha also has numerous health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and improving alertness. Compared to unhealthy food trends like chamoy pickles and “girl dinner,” the increase in matcha consumption could bring about greater improvements to health and even increase the average lifespan.
Modern-day matcha has evolved to being a popular drink mixed with milk, sugar and other special ingredients, as well as being a dessert flavor. While yes, the evolution of matcha may have some disregard for its cultural significance when taken too far, I believe it is possible to still honor the culture while being creative with matcha.
I personally cannot deny that I am a huge fan of all the modern-day creations of matcha beverages and desserts. From fruit flavored matcha lattes, like strawberry or mango matcha lattes, where fruit purée is mixed into the matcha, to matcha ice cream, cakes and more. I am a sucker for them all. Though, I would avoid getting matcha from big corporations like Dunkin’, and rather support local businesses where I know they’re at least treating matcha with some respect and regard for its cultural significance.