Questioning the Quality of Starbucks Matcha

Approx. 50% of all Japanese tea is sold to the United States.

Questioning the Quality of Starbucks Matcha

Can you guess the first ingredient listed on a matcha latte from Starbucks?

SUGAR, of course.

This has caused many matcha purists to cringe and call the "tea" a fraud.

And it also introduced the unanswered question about the quality of Starbucks' matcha powder...

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Japan Facts:

  • Approx. 50% of all Japanese tea is sent to the United States (Tea Life)(OEC)
  • US matcha sales have surpassed $10 billion over the last 25 years (Global Edge), with Japan being the influence of this
  • Japan imports nearly as much tea as they export (OEC)
    • Export value: $178 million (2022)
    • Import value: $170 million (2022)

💡Learn about the quality levels of Matcha (Ujido)

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