Matcha in short supply worldwide
The popularity of matcha is skyrocketing. Supplies of the green tea powder are low. Most of the world's matcha is produced in Japan. Record high temperatures there have lowered harvests of the tea leaves. Increased demand and lower crop yields have resulted in record prices. A farmer from Kyoto told the Reuters news agency about his lower harvest. He was only able to harvest 1.5 tons of leaves this year, instead of his usual two tons. He added: "Last year's summer was so scorching that it damaged the bushes, so we couldn't pluck as many leaves." |