Matcha has permeated every aspect of our lives and spread far beyond the teahouse—including morning latte fixes, food items, skincare products, and scented candles, among others. What began as a centuries-old tradition in Japan has now evolved into a trendy lifestyle symbol endorsed by Gen-Z, with its vivid green hue readily associated with mindfulness and wellness. (Plus, it looks great in pictures.)

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The Evolution

Matcha is not new—its origins can be traced back to prehistoric Japanese tea ceremonies, which were shaped by Zen Buddhism and Chinese rituals dating back to the 8th century. It evolved from a medicinal and religious practice among monks and nobility into a highly sophisticated cultural rite during the Muromachi era. The finely ground powder represented tradition, artistry and thoughtfulness.

Formerly reserved for Japanese tea ceremonies, it is currently popular on menus all around the globe, demonstrating that tradition can change into a trend without compromising its acclaimed essence. Today, the 'matcha effect' is noteworthy, with the green powder ingrained in our aesthetic culture and appearing in energy bars, cocktails, cosmetics, as well as lattes, frozen treats, and more.

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Where To Get Your Fix

And the trend shows no signs of abating anytime soon. With curated matcha cafés to online e-commerce stores shipping the finest ceremonial powders, our options are endless.

Singapore has thoroughly embraced the trend with premium and easily accessible matcha powders. Naoki Matcha is a local Singaporean favourite that sells an authentic ceremonial-grade matcha from Japan. Then, there are places like Matchaya, Tsujiri, Hvala, Crafti Singapore, and many more that make it efficient to prepare your own frothy lattes at home.

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And for the extroverts, Singapore has no shortage of chic cafés for individuals who prefer to drink outside. Due to the streamlined perspectives and Instagram-ready café cultures, Kyō Kohee, Hvala, Ichigo by Tea Cottage, Haus Coffee, Hellu Coffee, Hello Arigato, Rise Bakehouse, etc. are majorly growing in popularity. Some offer varieties of self-sourced matchas, and there are elite matcha-friendly hangouts that conclude the experience with delicious desserts and drinks that look as good as they taste.

One thing is for sure: Matcha mania is here to stay, whether you're sipping it or styling your feed with it.