Talk of a matcha shortage is in the air.
The ground-up green tea powder comes from trees native to Japan and has taken the U.S. by storm in the last decade.
Whether you prefer it in a creamy latte, mixed with lemonade, or even as a fancy, barista-brewed tonic, matcha has remained popular as a “healthier” caffeine alternative to coffee. It has antioxidant properties and amino acids associated with reducing stress, improving moods, and helping with sleep hygiene.
But matcha requires a labor-intensive production process, and Japanese farmers are struggling to keep up with rising global demand. Production increased from almost 15 hundred to four thousand tons in the past fifteen years.
Lynden McCarroll, a junior studying communications, doesn’t like the sound of the matcha shortage.
“It definitely would put a dent in the wallet. I thought it was just a thing in Japan. So this is coming off as a shock for me in the States,” he said.
But he’s not ready to say goodbye to his favorite drink.
“I feel like matcha is one of those high-quality caffeines that I would not give up. I would always 100% take it over coffee any day,” McCarroll said.
For Jason Ma, a sophomore architecture major, matcha is his go-to caffeine source.
“I only drink coffee if I feel like I need the energy. Matcha is like more of a daily drink,” Ma said.
Travis Oluoch, a senior studying business, is not worried about losing the tea.
“I drink all types of caffeine: coffee, Celsius, pre-workout tea. I’m a caffeine addict, so I got many substitutes,” Oluoch said.
At Ministry of Coffee, just across from the USC Village, Myla Yap whisks it up. She fears a price increase in the ceremonial grade powder that the shop sources.
“It’s from Japan, the town where all the matcha’s grown. I’m sure it would increase the price, and it’s already so expensive now, so I can’t even imagine how much it would surge,” Yap said.
Don’t fear. If a shortage comes, it won’t last forever, the Global Japanese Tea Association predicts. Matcha is harvested every spring, so low stock is natural each winter. The Japanese government has realized matcha’s increased popularity and is subsidizing growers to glean greater supplies and stop future shortages.
In the meantime, keep savoring your favorite matcha from Dulce. We all need the boost this finals season.