Matcha tea: Once a Samurai war drink, now a global wellness trend – but why the craze around this green brew?

.Tried matcha yet?

It’s everywhere now: From your social media feeds, to cafés buzzing with options, or even producing sweet treats that are matcha-flavoured. Perhaps, even your dreams could be flavoured in green, at this rate.

That’s right: This flavour is now on trend, owing to its wellness properties, even if a handful complain about it.

 Why has matcha gone from a centuries-old Japanese tradition to a global wellness phenomenon?

Hold on, what is matcha really?

Matcha green tea is essentially ground-up tea leaves, and it’s been enjoyed for centuries in a way that’s far more powerful than your usual brew. Unlike traditional tea, where leaves are steeped in hot water, matcha dissolves the entire tea leaf into the drink itself. In other words, you're getting the goodness of the leaf, not just the infusion, making it a richer, more concentrated experience.

What makes matcha even more fascinating, is how its grown. During the final weeks of springtime harvesting, the tea plants are covered by bamboo mats to limit their exposure to sunlight, explains Mariza Snyder, a functional wellness practitioner in her book, The Matcha Miracle, The reduced sunlight reduces the plants chlorophyll content, contributing to the dark green colour of the leaves and the green of the matcha green tea powder. However, while increasing the plants potency, covering them also weakens them, so they need more time to recover before being harvested again.

Beyond its origins in the teacup, matcha has given way to bursts of creativity. A fresh twist on traditional tea that really boosts your well-being, it's now a flavour for sweet treats, savoury dishes and more. You'll spot it in everything from delicate pastries to frothy lattes.

Yet, matcha isn't just another trending key-word. The history behind it runs deep...

Rolling back in time…

It all began in the Song dynasty in China ( 960-1279 AD). Powdered tea was developed and trended—if the word can be used for that time. These little pieces of bricks of tea were broken off called ‘tea cakes’, and were mixed into hot water for a hot tea drink, explains Divoyshree Menon, a researcher in Japanese history. "These ‘tea cakes’ were made steaming fresh tea leaves, which kept their freshness and colour intact. A mud or paste was formed by drying the steamed leaves, grinding them into a powder, molded into a cake," she explains. Following this, they were then left in the sun to harden, and then baked. There was an ease in transporting these cakes.

Zen monks from Japan would travel through China during this time, and were introduced to powdered teas. They brought the tea cakes, along with seeds for plants, took them back to Japan, so they could grow tea back home. And so, the Zen priests began their own tea traditions, slowly developing systems and processes for cultivating and preparing this powdered tea.

 Gradually, it became the most treasured tea in Japan, and was reserved only for use in the traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

The traditional tea ceremonies

The Japanese tea ceremony or ‘Sado’ as it was referred to, became popular due to use within the Samurai society, royalty, upper class of Japan, explains Snyder in her book. It was further developed by monks over the course of the 15^th century and was based in four guiding principles: Harmony, purity, tranquility and respect. While other teas are popular and continue to be famous, matcha green tea is cultivated only in Japan, using traditional farming, sourcing and grinding methods.  

Menon adds, "Sen no Rikyū (1522–1591) is actually considered to be most famous tea master in Japan’s history, is often regarded as the person who perfected the tea ceremony and influenced its integration into samurai culture." While Rikyū himself was not a samurai, his teachings were instrumental in letting matcha seep into amurai culture. His Zen-inspired philosophy on tea ceremonies encouraged warriors to incorporate moments of calm and focus, which, in turn, supported their mental and physical preparedness.

The guiding principle behind matcha was the confusing oxymoron ‘alert and calm’, and perhaps that’s why the Samurai warriors would drink the tea before going to war. For the samurai, the consumption of matcha was not just a calming drink. It was a means of focusing their mind and calming the spirit, before the facing the horrors of battle. The energisng yet calming properties of matcha were seen as an ideal way to sharpen the mind and maintain mental clarity in the midst of combat.

The preparation of matcha today

While the tea ceremonies were deeply embedded in samurai culture, the principles of Sado still guide the preparation of matcha today. The powder should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The traditional tea caddy is referred to as natsume. The traditional utensils to make matcha include a chawan (ceramic tea bowl), the chasen, a bamboo whisk and the chashaku, a tea scoop. At times, a tea-sifter is used.

How to prepare matcha the traditional way:

To make matcha the traditional way, you’ll need the proper utensils, including:

Chawan (tea bowl)

Chasen (bamboo whisk)

Chashaku (tea scoop)

Natsume (tea caddy)

The process involves whisking matcha powder with hot water until it froths, creating a creamy, smooth drink that’s both energisng and calming. It’s a simple yet meditative process.

Why matcha tea is a health elixir

As Dubai-based Sharifa Khan, a clinical dietician explains, it offers the best of both worlds: a calm energy boost without the jitters or crashes. Due to L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes focus and relaxation, matcha gives you sustained alertness—ideal for anyone looking to ditch that afternoon slump without feeling wired. “It’s also packed with antioxidants, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and metabolism-boosting powers. It also supports heart health, fights free radicals, and may even help with fat oxidation during workouts,” she explains.

Additionally, matcha provides a natural source of vitamin C, which plays a critical role in immune defense by supporting the function of various immune cells and enhancing the body’s ability to fend off pathogens. "The antioxidants in matcha also help neutralize free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress and weaken immune function over time. By reducing this oxidative burden, matcha helps maintain the immune system's efficiency and resilience," she explains.

Regular consumption of matcha may therefore contribute to improved immune vigilance, helping the body respond more effectively to both common and more serious threats.

It goes beyond the mug, adds Khan. You will find it in face masks, serums, and even shampoo. Why? Its antioxidant-rich profile helps soothe skin, combat dullness, and fight signs of aging. Brands also incorporate matcha into their skincare lines, making it a wellness staple inside and out.