Can China Challenge Japan's Matcha Dominance? | CNA Correspondent

By CNA Insider

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Japan made matcha famous, transforming the powdered green tea into a global symbol through centuries of craftsmanship. But China says it gave birth to matcha, and it now produces 70% of the world's supply. As the global matcha boom gathers pace, change is brewing in both countries – but in very different ways. In Japan, soaring demand has revived the tea industry, attracting new growers and driving up prices, especially in the famed Uji region. But as tea farmers elsewhere switch to matcha, it is creating unexpected trade-offs. In China, the world's thirst for matcha is transforming remote Guizhou province into a booming matcha hub. Once among China's poorest regions, it is betting its future on matcha – and challenging Japan's dominance. From time-honoured traditions to billion-dollar ambitions, CNA’s Michiyo Ishida and Tan Si Hui explore what happens when heritage collides with globalisation – and why matcha is becoming a battleground over authenticity, identity and trust. WAT