Love it or hate it, there’s another special drink giving masala chai and black coffee some serious competition – matcha! A favorite among all the IT girls and performative guys, matcha is THAT elixir that’s taking over global culture and driving everyone into a ‘matcha’ frenzy. From our food and drinks to our lip balms and bath soaps – there’s hardly any product left that doesn’t have matcha tea in it.
With surging global demands, the green tea powder has turned into a trendy commodity. And to no one’s surprise, Indians just simply can’t get enough of it. What is driving this matcha frenzy and is it really a celebration of Japanese culture or just a classic case of commodification? Let’s dive deep and spill the tea!
Matcha Craze In India: Rising Trends, Health Benefits, Best Matcha Places, And More
Matcha: Traditionally Rooted In Japanese Culture
While matcha is deeply associated with the Japanese way of life, it does not have an exclusively Japanese origin story. In fact, the earliest matcha became popular in China. The Chinese had a rich tea-drinking culture, a practice that evolved from having medicinal significance into a full-fledged cultural practice. Even though matcha and tea-drinking in general has its roots in ancient China, it is in Japan that this herbal green tea really flourished and found its footing.
The Kamakura Period (1185–1333) in Japanese history is an important period that saw the rise in the tea-drinking culture and the prevalence of matcha in Japanese society. Many legends say that a Buddhist monk Eisai brought tea seeds from China on his way back to Japan. Along with the seeds, he also brought methods of grinding tea leaves and whisking them with hot water – clearly a precursor to the traditional Japanese matcha culture.
Eisai then started the cultivation of tea in Japan and even went on to write a book on it titled Kissa Yojoki (The Book of Tea). He documented health benefits of the tea and cultivation techniques he learned in China. Slowly and steadily, matcha became a preferred drink among the samurai class in Japan, who would often drink to recover from mental trauma, boost their mood, and improve their concentration.
Soon, tea gatherings with matcha became a popular form of social gathering in Japan, with the elite and the warrior classes engaging in regular matcha tea ceremonies – called ‘chado’ or ‘chanoyu’ in Japanese. These ceremonies were (and still are) focused on the conscious and ritualistic consumption of matcha, with the Japanese paying special attention to the use of the highest quality matcha and the best techniques to brew matcha.
How Matcha Tea Benefits Your Body In Three Ways!
It Is An Antioxidant Powerhouse
Matcha powder contains catechins, a class of plant compounds that act as natural antioxidants. What antioxidants do is help stabilize harmful free radicals in your body. These compounds can be damaging to your cells and even cause chronic ailments.
Antioxidants help stabilize harmful free radicals, compounds that can damage cells and cause chronic disease. Our brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress due to high levels of unsaturated fatty acids. Consumption of compounds with antioxidant properties can therefore prevent cognitive impairment. Matcha also protects the integrity of the antioxidant systems not just in the brain but also other organs like the liver as well as blood, as per a study published on the National Library of Medicine website.
Matcha Improves Focus And Mental Clarity
Matcha is a drink that contains a good balance of caffeine and l-theanine compounds. These are scientifically proven to improve concentration. And while we all know how caffeine works, l-theanine has a similar effect too. It boosts the production of ‘alpha’ waves that induce a feeling of relaxation and mental clarity.
This makes your brain more alert and more focused – a similar state of mind you achieve after a yoga or meditation session. No wonder why the Japanese practice matcha tea ceremonies with great discipline!
It Is A Calorie Burner
Is burning calories a priority on your health plan? Add some matcha in the routine and watch your calories burn away like never before! The compounds in matcha work together to naturally boost your metabolism as well as the number of calories you burn.
Many studies have pointed out that consuming green tea is linked to a considerable reduction in waist circumference, body fat mass, and the body mass index (BMI). With just a few minutes of brewing matcha, you can burn hundreds of calories – and this is way easier than an exhausting workout.
Best Matcha Places To Visit In Mumbai, Bangalore, And Delhi
Best Matcha Places In Mumbai
- Tokyo Matcha Bar & Cafe
Address: Silvilla House, Chapel Rd, next to Lovely Stores, St Sebastian Colony, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Best known for: Hearty ramen bowls and Japanese matcha beverages that will take you on a Tokyo tour.
Matcha starting from: INR 270
- Mokai
Address: Chapel Rd, St Sebastian Colony, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Best known for: Plenty of matcha-based drinks and Asian-inspired fusion food. And of course, the ambiance and decor is a total banger!
Matcha starting from: INR 310
- Boojee
Address: Shop No 6, 29, New Kantwadi Rd, off Perry Cross Road, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Best known for: Celeb-approved breakfast spot known for its signature coffee, matcha, salads, and sandwiches
Matcha starting from: INR 420
- Blondie
Address: Sant Kutir Apartments, 500, Rd Number 24, Khar West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400052
Best known for: All-day breakfast specials like benne dosa and sandwiches as well as specialty coffee and innovative matcha drinks
Matcha starting from: N/A
- Veronica’s
Address: 3R3G+JMX, 9, Waroda Rd, Beside Agna Square, Ranwar, Bandra West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400050
Best known for: Delicious matcha, kombucha on-tap, mouthwatering sandwiches, and long waiting lines
Matcha starting from: INR 300
Best Matcha Places In Bangalore
- Sakura Matcha Bar
Address: 33/12, 1st cross road, Victoria Rd, Xavier Layout, Victoria Layout, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560047
Best known for: Bangalore’s first matcha bar serving matcha in different forms like matcha drinks, soft serves, and delicious scoops.
Matcha starting from: INR 299
- Fresh Pressery
Address: 98/A, 17th B Main Rd, KHB Block Koramangala, 5th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 5600349
Best known for: Keto, vegan, and gluten-free savories and desserts and of course, a variety of matcha drinks!
Matcha starting from: N/A
- O’Fufu Cafe
Address: Ground Floor, Cross Metro Station, Forum South Bengaluru Mall, Anjanadri Layout, Konanakunte, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560062
Best known for: Fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth Japanese pancakes, specialty coffee, and some of the best matcha.
Matcha starting from: INR 425
- Got Tea
Address: 424, 5th Main Rd, HRBR Layout 2nd Block, HRBR Layout, Kalyan Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560043
Best known for: Tea house chain that serves Korean-inspired bubble tea, cold coffees, and a variety of matcha drinks and desserts.
Matcha starting from: INR 270
- Kinya Coffee
Address: 132 ,Dollars Colony ,7th main, 16th Cross Rd, behind MK Ahmed Bazar, JP Nagar 4th Phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078
Best known for: Cozy cafe with a focus on specialty coffee, however, the matcha here is also a must-try in Bangalore.
Matcha starting from: N/A
Best Matcha Places In Delhi
- Harajuku Tokyo Cafe
Address: First Floor, Select Citywalk Mall, Saket District Centre, District Centre, Sector 6, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017
Best known for: Futuristic neon-pop ambiance, soulful ramen bowls, and a variety of matcha-infused drinks and desserts.
Matcha starting from: INR 280
- Fig at Malcha
Address: 3/48, Malcha Marg, Market, Dharam Marg, Block C, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi 110021
Best known for: Some of the finest baked treats, desserts, and specialty single-origin matcha drinks.
Matcha starting from: INR 380
- AMA Cafe
Address: House no. 6, 1st Floor, New Aruna Colony, Majnu-ka-tilla, New Aruna Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi, 110054
Best known for: Matcha and coffee beverages, soulful baked goods, and delicious breakfast spreads across different cuisines.
Matcha starting from: INR 180
- Rush
Address: M32, S Swaran Singh Bhandari Marg, Greater Kailash-1, M Block, Greater Kailash I, Greater Kailash, New Delhi, Delhi 110048
Best known for: Signature matcha available in a wide variety of options and flavors. Also it is Delhi’s first matcha bar!
Matcha starting from: INR 200
- Green Neko
Address: Ground Floor, 94A, Humayunpur, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi, Delhi 110029
Best known for: Healthy poke bowls, Japanese-inspired dishes, boba tea, and of course, a variety of matcha drinks and desserts.
Matcha starting from: INR 280
Matcha Tea Obsession: Tradition Turned Into Trend
There was a time when matcha was looked at as a beverage that was only looked at as ‘traditional’. The Japanese still brew their matcha the traditional way, but recent years have seen matcha catapult into a global beverage icon. Thanks to social media and countless celebrities endorsing the drink, matcha has become one of the most popular beverages today.
And this is not just any coincidence.
As more and more people embrace a healthier, more food-conscious lifestyle, they’re becoming conscious of the drinks they consume. Many millennials and Gen Z are turning away from alcoholic beverages and making their way to drinks like matcha, kombucha, and turmeric lattes as they are healthier drink options.
However, the recent rise in the popularity of matcha is not just a result of individuals choosing it for its health benefits. Social media has turned the very act of making and consuming matcha into an ‘aesthetic’. Suddenly, consuming matcha is not just seen as a mere act of health-conscious consumption but a trending act to gain social media validation. What was once just a traditional, thoughtful way of having matcha has turned into a mere trend that takes away from its cultural significance and authenticity.
Summing Up
Be it a Matcha Latte, a matcha-flavored lip balm, or a Matcha Tiramisu, this humble green tea has got us hooked like never before. In a country where masala chai runs in the veins of millions of Indians, matcha has quietly tiptoed its way into the hands of millennials and Gen Z. And while not everyone likes the way it tastes, this green tea obsession is here to stay with us for quite some time.
