Zhejiang: The World’s Largest Matcha Powder Producer

The Origin and Development of Matcha in China

 

Matcha originated in China more than a thousand years ago, as a way of eating tea rather than drinking it. According to the book “Tea Classic” by Lu Yu, a famous tea master in the Tang dynasty, the tea leaves were steamed, pounded, shaped, roasted, pierced, and sealed. When drinking, the tea cake was crushed and ground into powder, and then whisked with hot water in a bowl.

 

This method of making and drinking tea was popularized in the Song dynasty, when tea ceremonies and competitions were held among the nobility and literati. The poet Lu Tong described the charm of matcha in his poem: “The green cloud brings the wind that never stops, the white flower floats on the surface of the bowl.”

 

In the 12th century, some Japanese monks who came to China to study Buddhism learned this way of tea and brought it back to Japan. They pronounced “mo cha” as “matcha”, and developed it into an integral part of Japanese tea culture.

 

However, in China, matcha powder gradually declined after the Ming dynasty, when loose leaf tea became more prevalent. It was not until the late 20th century that matcha was reintroduced to China by some tea companies that cooperated with Japanese counterparts.

 

 

The Advantages and Challenges of Zhejiang Matcha Industry

 

Zhejiang province is the birthplace of Chinese tea culture and one of the major tea producing areas in China. It has a long history and tradition of making matcha, as well as rich natural resources and favorable climatic conditions for tea cultivation.

 

According to statistics from the provincial agriculture department, Zhejiang produced more than 3,000 tons of matcha powder in 2022, with a value of 280 million yuan, accounting for more than half of the national output. Zhejiang has become the world’s largest matcha producer.

 

The main production areas of Zhejiang matcha are Shaoxing Yuecheng district, Hangzhou Yuhang district, and Jinhua. These areas have adopted advanced technologies and equipment to improve the quality and efficiency of matcha production. For example, they use shading nets to cover the tea plants before harvesting, which can increase the chlorophyll and amino acid content of the leaves; they use steam to kill the enzymes in the leaves, which can preserve the green color and fresh aroma of the tea; they use ultra-fine grinding machines to produce smooth and delicate matcha powder.

 

Zhejiang matcha has also diversified its products and applications, catering to different consumer preferences and demands. Besides traditional matcha drinks, such as whisked matcha and cold brew matcha, there are also various matcha foods, such as ice cream, cake, candy, etc. Moreover, some research institutes have developed other innovative products based on matcha, such as facial mask, toothpaste, etc.

 

However, Zhejiang matcha industry also faces some challenges and problems. For instance, some tea gardens are small in scale and scattered in distribution; some tea farmers still use extensive cultivation methods; some tea varieties are not suitable for making high-quality matcha; some consumers are not familiar with or loyal to Zhejiang matcha brands; some international markets have higher standards and requirements for matcha products.

 

The Future Prospects and Suggestions for Zhejiang Matcha Industry

 

To overcome these challenges and seize more opportunities in the global market, Zhejiang matcha industry needs to take some measures and actions. Here are some suggestions:

 

Strengthen the research and development of new tea varieties that are suitable for making high-quality matcha.

Promote the standardization and mechanization of tea cultivation and processing.

Enhance the quality control and traceability system of matcha products.

Build up brand awareness and reputation of Zhejiang matcha both at home and abroad.

Explore new markets and channels for matcha products.

Cultivate consumer culture and education of matcha.

 

In conclusion, Zhejiang province is the world’s largest matcha powder producer with a long history and tradition. It has many advantages in terms of natural resources, technology innovation, product diversification, etc. However, it also faces some challenges in terms of quality improvement, brand building, market expansion, etc. Therefore, it needs to take some measures to further develop its matcha industry and create more value for consumers.