"The rise in popularity is immense: Retail sales of matcha powder have jumped by 86% in the past three years. But the surge in demand, coupled with poor harvests in Japan, has led to a global supply shortage, driving up prices for the prized tea leaf, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle. This has impacted local shops, with some struggling to keep matcha stocked."
"Members of Third Culture Bakery staff shared on Instagram that they had to travel to Japan this year to secure the contract with their matcha supplier since the market has become so competitive. The challenges of sourcing this coveted green tea, however, have not dimmed the creativity of East Bay shops. Despite the supply crunch that has many purveyors scrambling, a dedicated handful of cafes continues to serve matcha, transforming the powder into everything from traditional bowls to inventive lattes and pastries."
Matcha popularity has surged, with retail sales up 86% over three years. Poor harvests in Japan and rising global demand have produced a supply shortage and higher prices. Local shops in the East Bay have sometimes run out of matcha, and some businesses have taken extraordinary measures, including travel to Japan, to secure supplier contracts. Despite scarcity, a group of cafes continues to feature matcha across formats — ceremonial bowls, whipped drinks, inventive lattes and pastries — with venues like Asha Tea House and Binge offering seasonal and creative matcha preparations.
Read at www.berkeleyside.org
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