News article
Uji-no-Matcha: The inconvenient truth about Japan's most mythologized tea label
A sourcing analysis reveals that the percentage of tencha actually grown in Uji capable of bearing the "Uji Matcha" or "Uji Matcha Blend" label is probably less than 1–2% of Uji Matcha sold globally. The investigation examines official Japanese production data, the origins of the "Uji Matcha" trademark as a four-prefecture designation, and whether terroir claims hold weight in matcha marketing, exposing a gap between consumer expectation and supply-chain reality.
Key points
- Less than 1–2% of Uji Matcha sold is actually grown and processed in Uji; the rest is blended or sourced elsewhere.
- "Uji Matcha" is defined as a four-prefecture trademark, not a single-origin or city-based designation.
- The series examines whether Uji Matcha was ever single-origin and whether terroir claims are substantiated.
- The current labeling system benefits some actors while disadvantaging others in the supply chain.
Read the full article at the source ↗
You're reading the free briefing — upgrade to unlock every story and read any full article in English, one click.
About this article
The numbers
Uji-grown tencha eligible for Uji Matcha label: less than 1-2%
What they said
“the percentage of tencha that's actually grown in Uji that can be sold as "Uji Matcha" or an "Uji Matcha Blend" is probably less than 1-2% of Uji Matcha sold”
the percentage of tencha that's actually grown in Uji that can be sold as "Uji Matcha" or an "Uji Matcha Blend" is probably less than 1-2% of Uji Matcha sold
Unlock every story on Matcha Wire.
All articles open, plus read any full article in English in
one click — $75/mo, cancel anytime.
See what you get →
Comments
Create a free account or sign in to join the conversation.
Be the first to comment.