Latest news with #greentea
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
It's green, tastes grassy and is everywhere... what's the appeal of matcha?
It's as green as Kermit the Frog and has a unique taste that's grassy according to some. Glance at any trendy coffee shop or tea room menu around Nottingham and you'll see matcha in some incarnation. It's not new - it first started creeping into drinks in the UK around a decade ago. I remember sipping on a matcha latte years ago, wondering if it would ever catch on but now the slime-coloured beverage, which looks like it's been dredged from the River Trent, seems to have become an obsession especially with Gen Z thanks to social media trends and purported heath benefits. The global matcha market is currently valued at £1.8 billion and rather than a passing fad it's become a lifestyle staple. Google searches for "matcha near me" have skyrocketed by over 5,000% in the past year alone. READ MORE: Freddie Mercury's secret daughter says he 'adored and was devoted' to her in moving letter READ MORE: Nottingham GP added 'extremely vulnerable' patient on Facebook and 'pursued her for sex' So what is matcha? It's a vibrant Japanese green tea powder made from finely powdered dried tea leaves. Originating in China, it has been around for centuries and be traced back to the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century. A Buddhist monk is credited with bringing the seeds to Japan in the 1100s where it was turned into powered green tea. Considered to be the highest quality tea leaves in the country, it was used at tea ceremonies. Fast forward to 2025 and you'll find matcha used for much more than lattes. You can have it hot or cold. Look out for matcha frappuccinos, milkshakes, flavoured matcha teas, smoothies, lemonade and even cocktails. And chances are anyone who has ever eaten at one of Nottingham's most popular restaurants, Kushi-ya, has had matcha cheesecake for dessert. Matcha is Bird & Blend's fastest growing product range. The company says its a reflection of the growing demand for natural feel-good energy as coffee drinkers replace their morning caffeine boost with antioxidant rich matcha, which delivers lasting energy alongside the additional benefits of traditional green tea. The Nottingham tea shop is putting its own twist on the flavour for summer with an iced mint choc chip matcha latte and butterscotch matcha latte. Matcha enthusiasts can also experiment with a selection box of 12 with the goodness of the base ingredients and extra flavour such as gingernut, birthday cake, salted caramel, banana and peaches and cream. Joyce Maina, head of tea at Bird & Blend said: 'We've seen a continued rise in matcha's popularity over the past few years, driven by a growing interest in wellness, Japanese culture, mindful rituals and clean energy. At Bird & Blend Tea Co, we're passionate about making matcha fun and accessible and now have the largest range with pure, ceremonial grade and a wide variety of flavoured matcha in Europe. "We add tasty ingredients and sugar-free natural flavouring to our matcha to make it more accessible to first-time drinkers and to put a fun, modern twist on a traditional Japanese drink. Our newest flavours include Honey Bunny Matcha, Butterscotch Matcha and Tutti Frutti Matcha and are made with pure, ceremonial grade matcha to ensure a smooth, rich flavour that sets it apart from lower grades. "Making yourself a matcha invites you to slow down and savour the moment, and that's something we believe more people are craving today. It is also a great alternative to coffee, full of antioxidants and naturally caffeinated, it gives the drinker feel-good energy without the jitters."Coffee chain Caffè Nero has just launched it's first matcha range after "overwhelming" calls on social media. They said every detail, from the velvety vanilla infusion to the ceremonial-grade matcha, has been obsessively fine-tuned. If you've never tried it before the summery strawberry and vanilla iced matcha latte is a good starting point. Because it can be an acquired taste, the jammy kick of sweet strawberries tempers the earthy matcha taste. It's made with a ceremonial grade, single-origin PerfecTed matcha (reflected in the price of £4.60), now the number one matcha in the UK after the founders appeared on BBC's Dragon's Den. Popularity stems from the many reported health benefits. High in antioxidants, research shows that it could boost brain function and may help protect against heart disease. "This is the matcha worth waiting for," says Will Stratton-Morris, CEO of Caffè Nero UK. "We've seen the demand and taken our time to perfect it. "What we've created is something we're incredibly proud of – a matcha that stands out in both taste and quality. And judging by the sales just days after launch, it's clear our customers feel the same."
Arab News
07-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Kingdom showcases defense innovation at Athens expo
What's the matcha with everyone? The beloved green tea powder hits mainstream in Saudi Arabia RIYADH: Once a niche ceremonial tea in Japan, matcha is now gaining mainstream popularity in Saudi Arabia, thanks to a growing interest in wellness trends, evolving taste preferences, and the rise of mindful living. The data backs the trend. According to a recent report by IMARC Group, Saudi Arabia's green tea market, which includes matcha, was valued at $140.14 million and is projected to grow to $229.24 million by 2033. Imports of packaged green tea nearly doubled in value between 2020 and 2023, suggesting a growing appetite for premium, health-focused drinks. That growing demand is reflected on cafe menus and social media feeds across the Kingdom. Matcha lattes, once limited to specialty coffee shops, are now a fixture at trendy cafes and home kitchens alike. Whether it's served iced in sleek glass cups or whisked at home with oat milk, matcha is more than a drink. It's a mood, a personal statement, and for many, a healthier way to start the day. In Dammam, 19-year-old Sara Anas remembers her first taste of matcha back in 2019. 'My dad likes trying new things,' she said. 'It didn't taste that great at first, but when matcha became popular in 2021, I got excited to try it again from local cafes.' Now, she drinks it almost daily. 'It might sound strange, but I don't feel like it's heavy on my body like coffee. It makes me feel more relaxed and gives me energy in a better way.' Anas is part of a growing demographic. In Riyadh, 26-year-old Amal Al-Mutairi starts every morning with matcha. 'I prefer it iced with vanilla milk to make the flavor smoother and lighter,' she said. For her, the appeal began with reading about its benefits. 'It gives me calm energy without the jitters or crash I usually feel after drinking coffee. It also helps me focus for longer periods.' That calm, focused energy — often described as a 'cleaner' caffeine experience — has made matcha especially popular among students and professionals. For Anas, it's a campus essential. 'It's a must before classes! It gives me the energy to continue my day at uni,' she said. But matcha is more than functional. It's become a lifestyle, embraced for both its wellness claims and its visual charm. Globally, matcha's rise is part of a broader wellness boom. Japan's matcha production rose 185 percent from 2010 to 2023, and demand is now so high that suppliers are warning of shortages. Japan's top growers have begun limiting exports to meet domestic needs. Matcha's health appeal is not just hype. Rich in antioxidants — especially a compound called EGCG — studies suggest it may reduce inflammation, support cardiovascular health, and aid cognitive function. A recent Saudi study also found that over half of the participants believed matcha could help with weight management and blood sugar balance. Still, experts note that moderation matters. Excessive matcha consumption may interfere with iron absorption and isn't recommended for everyone. The ritual of preparing matcha, especially for those who make it themselves, has become part of a broader shift toward slow, intentional living — something many young Saudis are leaning into. That ritual is deeply personal for 27-year-old Leen Al-Zamil, who turned matcha from curiosity into a daily indulgence. 'I was curious at first and honestly, I hated it so much, but I think (that's) because it was hot,' she said. 'I liked it cold with vanilla syrup and oat milk. I definitely can't drink it alone.' Now, she can't go a day without it. 'Sometimes twice or more,' she said. 'I like its color … I enjoy every step of making it, and it just tastes so good. It brightens my mood.' Al-Zamil is not the only one who sees matcha as more than just a drink. For 28-year-old Mona Abdullah, matcha represents healing. 'As someone who suffers from IBS, coffee tends to affect me for a while, whereas matcha provides steady energy without causing any discomfort,' she said. 'I've stopped drinking coffee for the past three months. I now believe that matcha is a better source of caffeine compared to black coffee.' Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive condition. Many people with IBS find that coffee, with its acidity and high caffeine content, can trigger discomfort, making gentler alternatives like matcha a preferred choice. Abdullah drinks it twice a day, iced, and without any added flavors. 'Health,' she says, is what made her switch. Still, matcha's appeal goes beyond health — it's also about aesthetics and culture. 'I think it's a mix of everything,' said Al-Mutairi. 'The health benefits, the taste, and yes, the aesthetic.' Anas echoed that idea, noting that people's motivations vary. 'For me, it's for its health benefits and for the taste. You don't usually get a healthy drink with a good taste,' she said. 'But I think there are a lot of people who drink it just for the aesthetic. You see them adding hundreds of syrups just to say they drink matcha.' That blend of wellness and image — serious health meets playful branding — has fueled matcha's surge on social media. With its bright green hue, minimalist packaging, and frequent cameos in cafe selfies, matcha has become the drink of the 'soft life' movement, one that prioritizes peace, balance, and pleasure. 'It's definitely the vibe and the taste,' said Al-Zamil. In a country where coffee culture runs deep, matcha is not replacing tradition; it's offering something new: a blend of taste, lifestyle, and personal meaning, one bright green cup at a time.
