Will you have to pay more for your matcha soon?
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ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Will you have to pay more for your matcha soon?
Influencers tout matcha as a cleaner, calmer caffeine hit that comes with a dose of antioxidants, but the social craze has pushed supply chains to the brink, and the lovers of this trendy drink could soon be paying more.
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- News.com.au
Global matcha 'obsession' drinks Japan tea farms dry
At a minimalist Los Angeles matcha bar, powdered Japanese tea is prepared with precision, despite a global shortage driven by the bright green drink's social media stardom. Of the 25 types of matcha on the menu at Kettl Tea, which opened on Hollywood Boulevard this year, all but four were out of stock, the shop's founder Zach Mangan told AFP. "One of the things we struggle with is telling customers that, unfortunately, we don't have" what they want, he said. With its deep grassy aroma, intense color and pick-me-up effects, the popularity of matcha "has grown just exponentially over the last decade, but much more so in the last two to three years," the 40-year-old explained. It is now "a cultural touchpoint in the Western world" -- found everywhere from ice-cream flavor boards to Starbucks. This has caused matcha's market to nearly double over a year, Mangan said. "No matter what we try, there's just not more to buy." Thousands of miles (kilometers) away in Sayama, northwest of Tokyo, Masahiro Okutomi -- the 15th generation to run his family's tea business -- is overwhelmed by demand. "I had to put on our website that we are not accepting any more matcha orders," he said. Producing the powder is an intensive process: the leaves, called "tencha," are shaded for several weeks before harvest, to concentrate the taste and nutrients. They are then carefully deveined by hand, dried and finely ground in a machine. - 'Long-term endeavor' - "It takes years of training" to make matcha properly, Okutomi said. "It's a long-term endeavor requiring equipment, labor and investment." "I'm glad the world is taking an interest in our matcha... but in the short term, it's almost a threat -- we just can't keep up," he said. The matcha boom has been fuelled by online influencers like Andie Ella, who has more than 600,000 subscribers on YouTube and started her own brand of matcha products. At the pastel-pink pop-up shop she opened in Tokyo's hip Harajuku district, dozens of fans were excitedly waiting to take a photo with the 23-year-old Frenchwoman or buy her cans of strawberry or white chocolate flavored matcha. "Matcha is visually very appealing," Ella told AFP. To date, her matcha brand, produced in Japan's rural Mie region, has sold 133,000 cans. Launched in November 2023, it now has eight employees. "Demand has not stopped growing," she said. In 2024, matcha accounted for over half of the 8,798 tonnes of green tea exported from Japan, according to agriculture ministry data -- twice as much as a decade ago. Tokyo tea shop Jugetsudo, in the touristy former fish market area of Tsukiji, is trying to control its stock levels given the escalating demand. "We don't strictly impose purchase limits, but we sometimes refuse to sell large quantities to customers suspected of reselling," said store manager Shigehito Nishikida. "In the past two or three years, the craze has intensified: customers now want to make matcha themselves, like they see on social media," he added. - Tariff threat - Anita Jordan, a 49-year-old Australian tourist in Japan, said her "kids are obsessed with matcha." "They sent me on a mission to find the best one," she laughed. The global matcha market is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, but it could be hit by US President Donald Trump's tariffs on Japanese products -- currently 10 percent, with a hike to 24 percent in the cards. Shortages and tariffs mean "we do have to raise prices. We don't take it lightly," said Mangan at Kettl Tea, though it hasn't dampened demand so far. "Customers are saying: 'I want matcha, before it runs out'." At Kettl Tea, matcha can be mixed with milk in a latte or enjoyed straight, hand-whisked with hot water in a ceramic bowl to better appreciate its subtle taste. It's not a cheap treat: the latter option costs at least $10 per glass, while 20 grams (0.7 ounces) of powder to make the drink at home is priced between $25 and $150. Japan's government is encouraging tea producers to farm on a larger scale to reduce costs. But that risks sacrificing quality, and "in small rural areas, it's almost impossible," grower Okutomi said. The number of tea plantations in Japan has fallen to a quarter of what it was 20 years ago, as farmers age and find it difficult to secure successors, he added. "Training a new generation takes time... It can't be improvised," Okutomi said.
Daily Telegraph
16-06-2025
- Daily Telegraph
Telegraph readers in favour of Camperdown Fitness gym dress code
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fitness. Followed categories will be added to My News. Readers have overwhelmingly backed a dress code enforced at Camperdown Fitness, where owners of the gym have imposed rules that some gymgoers deemed 'strange and sexist'. The Sunday Telegraph reported the digital signage displaying 'appropriate clothing' has been installed at the gym by owners Michael Wood and Paul Vella to remind customers of their guidelines for a 'family friendly environment'. Some gym users complained the rules were 'sexist and outdated', but this masthead's readers mostly disagreed. They put their support behind the gym and its policies – and many advocated for an extra condition, attributing 'inappropriate' dress to influencer culture. According to Willow, 'You can see everything, every nook and cranny of their body'. 'Some of the gym attendees look ridiculous ... They may as well be naked, nothing left to the imagination.' Screengrabs of a video from Camperdown Fitness, showing their new dress code rules. The dress code is displayed on TV screens inside the gym, which is located on Pyrmont Bridge Road. It shows what kind of activewear is appropriate for men and women. Picture: Supplied. Screengrabs of a video from Camperdown Fitness, showing their new dress code rules. The dress code is displayed on TV screens inside the gym, which is located on Pyrmont Bridge Road. It shows what kind of activewear is appropriate for men and women. Picture: Supplied. 'Since when has exercising to keep fit meant to be a fashion show,' Steve said. 'There are always women-only gyms they can go to if they want to show off their latest coloured top.' 'A private business has a dress code. Their business, their rules. Now the market votes,' Nicky said. Monique was concerned about health and safety issues. 'If people don't like the rules they can change gyms or alternatively make the big investment and open their own gym and set their own rules,' Erin said. Mary agreed, adding: 'I don't care how attractive you are - I don't want to see your bum fillers or boobs hanging out while I'm at the gym.' Another said: 'If your 'bits/genitals' (males and females alike) are in danger of falling out or popping out during 'actual' exercise then it's probably not the best activewear,' she said. 'If you are exercising hard you need supportive clothing and materials for your own body's wear and tear and recovery. Nobody wants to be sitting down on a sweat soaked machine that the previous user neglected to clean either.' Camperdown Fitness' new dress code rules. The dress code is displayed on TV screens inside the gym, which is located on Pyrmont Bridge Road. Of the few who disagreed with the ban, freedom of expression was the main issue. 'Let them wear what they like ... Bikinis were banned once as well,' Keith said. An interesting theme also emerged in response to the story, suggesting a ban on filming workouts and creating content inside the premises. 'Ban filming too,' Eleni said – a sentiment also echoed by Doug: 'Perhaps ban the use of mobile phones and cameras for selfies and other imaging?' 'While they're at it, I wish every gym would ban filming - people who want to film their work outs are insufferable and should just work out at home,' Claudia added. Do you know more? Message 0481 056 618 or email tips@
