Matcha trends are shaping how people drink, eat, and think about green tea in 2026. From cafés to supermarkets, matcha is becoming one of the most important ingredients across beverage trends and trending foods.
What Is Matcha and Why Is It Trending?
Many people ask, what is matcha, and why is it everywhere. Matcha is a powdered green tea made from finely ground tea leaves, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies. Today, matcha is trending because it fits several big shifts at once.
It connects to tea trends, green tea trends, and even coffee trends, as more consumers look for alternatives to coffee that feel healthier and calmer. Matcha offers steady energy, a strong visual identity, and flexibility across drinks and food.
What Are the Leading Matcha Trends in the Foodservice Industry Right Now?
Foodservice operators are using matcha in more creative and profitable ways. Below are the key matcha trends shaping menus right now.
Dairy Free Matcha Lattes
The matcha latte trend continues to grow, especially with dairy-free options. Oat milk, almond milk, and coconut milk are now standard pairings.
These drinks appeal to wellness-focused consumers and support Gen Z beverage trends, where plant-based choices are expected.
Premium Matcha Goes Mainstream
Ceremonial and high-grade matcha is no longer niche. Cafés now promote origin, quality, and sourcing, similar to specialty coffee. This shift connects matcha to premium beverage trends and positions it as a serious coffee alternative.
Matcha in Functional and Wellness Drinks
Functional drinks are one of the strongest beverage trends in 2026. Matcha is often combined with ingredients like collagen, adaptogens, probiotics, and mushrooms. This places matcha at the center of wellness-focused tea trends.
Matcha Desserts and Baked Goods
Matcha desserts continue to expand beyond cakes and cookies. Foodservice menus now include matcha tiramisu, matcha croissants, and matcha ice cream.
These items benefit from the strong visual appeal of matcha and fit well into trending food content online.
Ready-to-Drink Matcha Beverages
Ready-to-drink matcha is growing fast in retail and foodservice. Bottled matcha lattes and canned matcha teas meet demand for convenience and support on-the-go consumption. This mirrors growth seen across coffee trends and iced tea formats.
Matcha Mixed With Global Flavours
Global flavour fusion is a major trend in 2026. Matcha is now paired with flavours from Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, and Latin cuisines. This trend helps matcha stay fresh and relevant across different markets.
Matcha for Social Media Friendly Menus
Matcha performs extremely well on social platforms. Its bright green colour makes it perfect for short videos and photos. Social media-driven menu design is especially important for Gen Z food trends, where visual impact often drives trial.
Matcha Consumption Trends and Stats by Region
Matcha Consumption Trends in the United States
In the US, matcha consumption continues to grow strongly in cafés, specialty coffee shops, and grocery retail. Matcha is often chosen as a coffee alternative, which links it closely to changing coffee trends and wellness-driven beverage trends. Demand is highest for matcha lattes, iced matcha drinks, and ready-to-drink formats, especially among younger consumers and urban audiences.
Matcha Consumption Trends in the United Kingdom
In the UK, matcha is moving from niche health stores into mainstream cafés and supermarket shelves. Consumers increasingly see matcha as part of broader tea trends and the green tea trend, rather than a novelty product. Growth is driven by café culture, dairy-free drinks, and interest from Gen Z beverage trends focused on lower caffeine options.
Matcha Consumption Trends in Canada
Canada shows steady growth in matcha consumption, especially in major cities. Matcha is popular in both hot and cold beverages and is often paired with plant-based milks. Canadian consumers connect matcha to functional wellness and clean ingredients, making it a strong fit for functional beverage trends.
Matcha Consumption Trends in Australia
Australia is one of the most advanced markets for matcha in foodservice. Specialty cafés treat matcha with the same care as specialty coffee, which supports premium positioning. The matcha latte trend is especially strong, and consumers are open to higher quality grades and flavour experimentation.
Popular Matcha Flavors
Flavour innovation is a key driver behind matcha growth. Below are the most popular matcha flavour directions in 2026.
Vanilla and Sweet Cream Matcha
Vanilla and sweet cream remain top choices because they soften matcha’s natural bitterness. These flavours appeal to new matcha drinkers and connect closely to dessert-inspired beverage trends.
Citrus and Yuzu Matcha
Citrus flavours like lemon, orange, and yuzu bring freshness to matcha drinks. Yuzu in particular strengthens the link between matcha and traditional Japanese tea culture.
Chocolate and Matcha Pairings
Chocolate and matcha are a classic pairing that continues to evolve. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, and cocoa-based desserts all work well with matcha and help bridge coffee trends and tea trends.
Floral Matcha Blends
Floral notes such as lavender, rose, and jasmine are becoming more common. These blends appeal to wellness-focused consumers and fit premium café positioning.
Savoury and Umami Matcha Uses
Some chefs are exploring savoury matcha uses in sauces, noodles, and snacks. This trend connects matcha to umami-rich cuisine and expands its role beyond drinks and sweets.
Matcha Trends to Watch in 2026
Several trends are expected to shape matcha’s future. Expect stronger focus on sustainability, clearer labeling, and education around quality grades.
The comparison of Hojicha vs Matcha will also become more common, as consumers explore roasted tea alternatives alongside matcha.
How Brands Can Use Tastewise to Track Matcha Trends
Tastewise helps brands understand how matcha is growing across menus, social media, and consumer conversations.
By using Tastewise, foodservice teams can track which matcha formats, flavours, and use cases are rising, and connect those insights to broader beverage trends and Gen Z beverage trends.
Summury
Matcha is no longer just a green tea trend. In 2026, it sits at the intersection of wellness, premium drinks, social media, and global flavour innovation.
Brands that understand matcha trends early will be better positioned to win across foodservice and retail.
FAQs
Matcha is very popular and continues to grow across cafés, restaurants, and retail, especially in drinks and desserts.
Gen Z likes matcha because it feels healthier than coffee, looks good online, and fits wellness focused Gen Z food trends.
People buy matcha for steady energy, health benefits, and its versatility across drinks and food.
Matcha lattes, dairy free drinks, desserts, baked goods, and ready to drink matcha beverages are growing the fastest.
Yes. Data shows consistent growth in matcha menu mentions, flavour innovation, and functional drink formats.
Tastewise provides real time data on matcha usage, flavour pairings, and emerging trends, helping brands make smarter decisions.
