So, matchatechnically doesn’t originate from Japan.
Today, if you watch a YouTube vlog of any 20-something-year-old woman with a “clean girl” aesthetic, chances are her morning routine starts with brewing the best matcha latte she can. She uses some powder, a bamboo whisk, a tea bowl, and some plant-based milk.
If you go back over a thousand years ago to the Tang Dynasty in China, brewing matcha looked like steaming tea leaves into bricks, grinding it into fine powder, and mixing it with hot water. But it wasn’t until the Song Dynasty that matcha had grown popular.
It’s easy to understand why matcha, whether in the form of a drink or dessert, is so beloved across the continents today. That vegetal, slight umami taste is a great way to soothe your nerves in the morning while still getting a kick of caffeine — perfect for those who can’t stand the typical dark, bitter black coffee.
When Japan was first introduced to matcha in 1191 by Eisai, a Japanese Buddhist monk who spent part of his life studying in China, the tea was more a sign of luxury. It was rarely produced. Now, matcha powder or concentrate is accessible in nearly every commercial grocery store. It’s grown so popular that Japan itself is facing a shortage.
And so, if you’ve hopped on the matcha train and find yourself cravingmore, then here’s where you can continue contributing to that shortage.
(We’re kidding.)
Café lovers, listen up: this is where you’ll find the best matcha
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is where Japan’s love affair with matcha really starts. When Eisai returned to Japan, he’d planted the tea seeds on temple grounds in Kyoto and introduced Zen Buddhist methods of powdered green tea preparation. It only makes sense you’ll find the best matcha in Kyoto, where the history runs deep.
Long after, Zen Buddhists would continue to reform new methods for cultivating the green tea plant, and refine the Japanese tea ceremony process. Take a 35-minute train to Uji, just south of Kyoto City, and you’ll set foot into a renowned “matcha capital.” Steep in tradition at Nakamura Tokichi Honten, a historic tea house that used to serve the imperial family.
Top universities in Kyoto:
- Ritsumeikan University
- Kyoto Institute of Technology
@kristindodsonsmith LA is in its Matcha era #heytea #matcha #losangeles #flowstate ♬ original sound – T.M
Los Angeles, US
It’s probably a little counterproductive, recommending Los Angeles as a prime spot for the best matcha when California on a whole is facing a shortage in supply. But one could even say that “LA nightlife is dead,” but the mornings are alive — the streets filled with long lines of people queuing for their matcha fix.
One tea house that has people braving sleepy mornings for a cup of matcha latte is DAMO in Koreatown. It’s a little cramped, and parking’s a little rough, but it’s worth it once you dip your tongue into some creamy, whipped cream-filled matcha einspanner.
Top universities in Los Angeles:
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
- University of Southern California
Hangzhou, China
Ever dreamed of a matcha lake? Well, Hangzhou, the capital of the Zhejiang province in China, has the answer to all your prayers. Probably greener than any rainforest you’ve ever been to, Qingshan Lake, situated in Lin’An, is often referred to as China’s “matcha lake.” It looks like something out of a Ghibli film, especially when you see black swans floating by.
If you’d actually like to find the best matcha in Hangzhou — no, do not drink the lake water — head to Nine Cups Coffee on Zhongshan Middle Road. One Instagram user describes the cafe as having a “Wabi Sabi” atmosphere, which means finding beauty in imperfection and impermanence.
Top universities in Hangzhou, China:
- Zhejiang Sci-Tech University
- Hangzhou Normal University
Da Nang, Vietnam
Years before the matcha boom in Vietnam, the first company to introduce the product to the nation was Satoen, a Japanese tea manufacturer. Since then, demand for matcha has grown significantly. In 2024, 29.6% of food and beverage companies in Vietnamincluded matcha in their product lineup. E-commerce products sell out as soon as they’re restocked, and tea producers are looking for tea resources suitable for matcha production.
Da Nang, a coastal city in central Vietnam, is home to a variety of joints — including SẾU the tearoom, a Japanese-style café with a contemporary matcha bar. In this brown, wooden space that is heaven for cosy café loves, you’ll find the best matcha drinks, sourced straight from Uji, Kyoto.
Top universities in Da Nang:
Paris, France
Ever heard of the word “Japonisme” in French? Long before matcha ever made its way to Paris, Japanese art and design had already had a great influence on Western art. “Japonisme” was coined in the late 19th century to describe this phenomenon, and since, France has seen Japanese culture weave into their own manga, anime, poetry, mochi ice cream, and plenty more.
Now, that cultural exchange has influenced some of the best matcha servings on the market. Paris is rich with artsy cafes — Partisan Café Artisanal, located on the corner of Rue de Turbigo and Rue Saint Paris, being a particular influencer favourite.
Top universities in Paris:
- Institut de Polytechnique de Paris
- Université Paris-Saclay
