Wait, is there really a matcha shortage?! Everyone’s losing it so here’s what’s going on

Your Blank Street iced oat blueberry matcha with vanilla cold foam might be doomed

1 hour ago

If you’ve been scrolling TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably noticed one thing: everything is green. Matcha is everywhere, from iced lattes at Blank Street to cookies and cakes. But here’s the plot twist: there’s a shortage, and you might want to blame Trump.

Yep, rumors of a global matcha shortage are swirling. According to one stressed-out Reddit thread, some Starbucks and chain stores are reportedly running low, and experts warn the situation could get worse thanks to a mix of hot weather in Japan. And, believe it or not, tariffs on Japanese imports introduced by Trump. Basically, your beloved green latte isn’t just threatened by influencers: it’s also tangled in international politics.

Meanwhile, demand isn’t slowing down. Global interest in matcha jumped seven per cent last year, (which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it is, I promise) and the market could hit over £5 billion by 2030.

Credit: Unsplash/Andrea Lacasse

Japan’s family-run farms are struggling to keep up. Growing matcha isn’t as easy as you might think. New tea plants take about five years to mature, while some producers are even hesitant to fully commit, worried this could just be another social media fad destined to crash harder than angel hair chocolate.

Kyoto, where a quarter of Japan’s matcha comes from, is feeling the heat. Literally. Hot weather, an aging farmer population, and tourists snapping up tins as fast as they hit shelves are leaving local stores cautious. Uji-based Camellia Tea Ceremony now limits customers to one tin each, so yes, your dream Instagram flatlay might require some patience.

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So what does this mean for you, the average matcha fan? If you care about quality, brace yourself: things might get scarce. But if your interest is mostly aesthetic, or you just want a vaguely green latte, you’ll probably be fine. Brands like Perfect Ted remain unaffected, and hey, there are always other drinks to flex.

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